Winter welly walk at Croome near Worcester
A moderately challenging walk through the outer parkland to visit one of our eye catchers, Pirton Castle with fantastic views across the Worcestershire countryside.
Map
Start:
Croome Visitor Centre, grid ref: SO886451
1
Follow the path through the Wilderness Walk towards the church, go through the gate into the parkland and turn immediately right. Go through the kissing gate into the field and turn left following the footpath down the hill.
2
Just after the pond on your right, walk diagonally right aiming for the gate in the corner of the field. Go over the stile, cross the road and over the stile into the next field.
3
Walk diagonally left across the field keeping the ‘Lickmoor Wetland’ on your right and the Manley Grove woodland to your left until you reach the kissing gate.
4
Go through the gate and turn right. Keep walking with the woodland on your right. Follow the footpath across a wooden bridge and across a further two fields until you emerge onto the road through a large opening.
5
Turn right and walk along the road past the ‘Pirton’ sign. Follow the road around to the left.
6
Enter the field on your left at the Public Footpath sign and walk across two field to reach the top of the ridge. Go through the gate and walk along to Pirton Castle. You can walk round the back and into the tower.
Extract from Hortus Croomensis - 1824
'The ruins of Pirton Castle...occupy a fine situation, on a lofty eminence; commanding from its high grounds, beautiful and extensive prospects'
7
Retrace your steps to the gate. Head diagonally to the right and down the field until you see Pirton Pool. Keeping the pool on your left head for the metal gate in the woodland straight ahead of you.
8
Go through the kissing gate and along the track. Go through a second kissing gate to the road.
9
Turn right on the road and walk back to the junction, turn left passing Pirton Court and continue up to the T junction. Turn right and continue along the road back to Croome.
Pirton Court
Pirton Court is a substantial part of a period Grade 11 listed court house which has origins dating back to the Domesday Book. In 1690 it came in to the hands of the Coventry family who kept possession of the Court until 1983. Pirton Court once being a medieval moated manor now stands with its period timber framed construction over mellowed grey stone and brick foundations.
End:
RAF Visitor Centre, grid ref: SO886451
