Fishpool Valley walk at Croft Castle near Leominster
A pleasant walk through the parkland on surfaced paths and through the wooded Fishpool Valley.
Map
Start:
Croft visitor reception SO45119 65659
1
Turn right from visitor reception and pass through the gate. Do not follow the track but head straight on across the field following the yellow markers.
2
Follow the path into the woods and down the slope into the bottom of the valley.
The woods
The wooded valley sides are a picture in the spring due to the varied show of wild flowers, including a mass of bluebells. The Croft family created a favourite carriage ride right along the valley to see the display.
3
At the bottom turn right then right again so you are walking by the linked ponds.
Douglas Fir
There is plenty to see in the valley. There are majestic trees like these Douglas Fir which are 35-40 metres tall and close to 4m in girth. Also, limestone was quarried on the estate and burned in the wood-fired kilns you can see in the valley sides. The resulting quicklime was used as a fertilizer.
4
Proceed down the valley alongside the ponds. These are spring fed and provide habitat for brown trout, dragonflies, bats, freshwater shrimps and the rare native white-clawed crayfish.
Gothic pumphouse
Between the first 2 ponds you will see the old pumphouse. The spring was the water source for the castle, so water needed to be pumped up the hill.
5
You will eventually see a yellow marker showing you where to fork right to climb the hill towards the main drive of the castle. Look out for the igloo shaped cellar which was the icehouse. Ice was removed from the ponds in the winter and stored in here for use in the summer months.
6
At the drive turn right and walk up the drive back to the car park and visitor reception.
End:
Croft visitor reception SO45119 65659
