If you live in Gloucestershire or Herefordshire or travel regularly up and down the M5, you will be familiar with this distinctive hill with a clump of trees on the top that you can see everywhere – next time you are on the M5 heading north for Gloucester take a look to your left! You can't miss it.
We have lived in The Cotswolds for 12 years now and, I am ashamed to say, we have only just visited and climbed to the top. What a view! Now that we know what we have been missing in the last 12 years we will be back again very soon I think. We have always gone beyond May Hill and into the Forest of Dean, an area that we love, but May Hill is definitely worth a special trip.
The hill itself has been managed by the National Trust since 1988. Bizarrely, the only bit they don't own is the clump of trees on the top! These belong to the locals.
The summit and surrounding area of May Hill consists of a wide expanse of open grassland, bracken and gorse with boggy areas and pools (we know all about the boggy pools because the fat brown Spaniel hurled herself into one, emerging sometime later a slightly different shade of brown and smelling like a cross between Billingsgate fish market and an over ripe Camembert! As you can imagine, the return journey in Denzel was a joy!).
The hill is capped by a clump of pine trees, planted in 1887 to commemorate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria. It is now the location of annual May Day celebrations.
Covering 30 hectares, this area of bracken and trees (mainly birch, oak and crab apple) is still allowed to be grazed by the commoners' ponies, pigs and occasionally sheep!
There are beautiful views to the north and west across Herefordshire and south to the river Severn. On a clear day you can see beyond into Wales and the Black Mountains.
If you visit and opt for a straight climb to the top it is about a mile uphill before the ground levels out onto the open grassland at the top. Alternatively there is a well-marked circular route on the National Trust website, along with other information. This route is approximately 3 miles which takes in the climb to the top, the open grassland and then a return via the woods of the Huntley estate.
The top of the hill is the perfect place for picnics, ball games and kite flying so why not make a day of it?
If the picnic idea is all too much for you, there are two local pubs that offer good food within a short drive of the hill. The Glasshouse Inn, May Hill, Longhope (please note: they don't allow children under 14 into the Inn!) or The Yew Tree Inn in Clifford's Mesne.
GETTING THERE
May Hill is signposted off the A40 Gloucester to Ross-on-Wye road, 1 mile west of Huntley and 3 miles from J3 of the M50. Passing the Yew Tree Inn, continue up the hill for about half a mile. There is roadside parking (no reserved disabled parking) available for a number of cars.
If you need information about reaching May Hill by public transport, click on the link to the National trust website where you should find everything you need.
Map reference: SO695215
Another great post! I am really enjoying reading your blog! The walk looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. The walk was lovely and well worth the effort involved to get to the top!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, fun and full of information. But most of all, I like the way you write. You have to tell me what they will do about Travel Codes
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