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START
The walk starts in Prickley Green at the end of the lane signed off Horn
Lane. Parking is available in the lanes converging on the grassy triangle
in the centre of the cluster of houses and farms. Walk along the lane
away from the farmhouses to the stile and signpost beside the end bungalow
on the left (1). Follow the wire fence of the paddock almost to the corner
and bear right diagonally at the waymark through the trees following the
yellow marks, to a bridge across a brook (2). These orchards belong to
Bulmers of Hereford and are all cider apples. Over the bridge go diagonally
left at the waymark and take the route through the trees following the
yellow marks. Emerging from the trees bear right and turn left (3). Continue
along the track beside the felled and replanted woodland, which is carpeted
with bluebells in spring, now protected by law. It is worth remembering
that fifty years ago, sheets of bluebells were a common sight in the countryside.
At the next signpost turn left for ten yards then right (4) up the avenue
of marked trees, passing on the right an alternative shortcut to the main
track. Continue up the avenue to a gate at the top (5) (The dainty silver
birch to the left deserves its name of "lady of the woods").
All these apple trees are uniformly pruned to produce the maximum number
of fruit buds on each spur. They bear only a slight resemblance to the
traditional standard fruit trees in the average garden with their shaggy
heads and often-inaccessible top fruit. |
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Go through the metal gate past the "cottage in the orchard"
and along the track lined with daffodils early in the year and beautiful
roses later, to the old farm buildings of Hockhams House (formerly Hockhams
Farm), now beautifully converted into a fine dwelling. All these orchards
once belonged, as agricultural land, to farmhouses like this. After the
buildings, (which used to be the old milking sheds, pigsties and stables),
turn right down the track (6). Go through the metal barrier or over the
step stile and down the track to the apple collection area and loading
bays (7). At the junction go across the track and follow the path going
diagonally through the trees to the right. At the top a waymark post directs
between conifers over a stile and ditch crossing (8). Continue straight
on to a waymarking post near the corner of a garden, and straight on to
a stile into the lane beside Pear Tree Cottage (9). Turn right and descend
the lane for about 500 yards to the group of dwellings at Prickley Green,
and your starting point. |