Hay-on-Wye to Kington

21 May 2010 - Hay-on Wye to Kington

Distance - 14.7 miles

Weather - Sunny

We stayed at - Swan Hotel, Church Street, Kington, Herefordshire, HR5 3AZ  Cost - £60.00

We left Hay-on-Wye by the Clyro road and Hay Bridge, where there was a beautiful view up the river. The was also a small group of elderly gentleman on the bridge and we stopped to listen to them talk about their childhood and generally growing up in Hay-on-Wye. They pointed out to us how the course of the river had changed over time. It was a lovely nostalgic start to the day. We walked alongside the river for a bit and decided that we should put on some sun tan lotion as the sun was rather strong. I took off my wedding ring and three engagement rings and laid them on the top of my rucksack whilst I applied the sun cream. When I finished, I picked up my rucksack, only to see my rings scatter all over the grass and hedgerow. We found three of them fairly easily and eventually found the fourth, before I shed too many tears. From that day forward I started giving Alistair my rings to hold or zipped them up in a pocket of my walking trousers!

After a short while we left the River Wye, then followed field edges and tracks until we reached the busy A438, where we had to walk down the verge for around three quarters of a mile before we met a little lane taking us up to Bettws Dingle. From there it was all rural tranquility to Newchurch, where we climbed up to Disgwylfa Hill and descended to Hill House Farm House, where we helped ourselves to some water from their tap. The guide book said there had been a verse inviting walkers to take a drink, but there wasn't anything there on the day we arrived. Just as we were filling our water bottles a farm worker appeared, but he never said anything to us. We were a bit embarrassed and shuffled off quite quickly! The countryside around here was just perfect - small rolling hills surrounded by greenery. The pub at Gladestry was conveniently open when we passed, so we headed into its cool interior for a swift half and a chat with the friendly locals.

After Gladestry we headed up onto the Hergest Ridge, where there were even more lovely views and the walking quite easy once you reached the top. Near the middle of the ridge we were told you could see the curving tracks of the former Kington racecourse, although I'm not sure we actually did see them. We did recognise the large glacial boulder called the Whet Stone. From the ridge we descended onto a narrow country lane, passing by the entrance to Hergest Croft Gardens. We also passed a very bold sign that claimed Kington was "The Centre for Walking", whatever that might mean! Finally we reached The Square and our hotel for the night - The Swan.