Introduction

The Allied Special Forces Association in association with Rosemary E. Rigby MBE and the Violette Szabó GC Museum we are pleased to launch the Violette Szabó GC Trail.

The Trail is a 6 mile route through some of the most splendid countryside in Herefordshire and combines a mixture of steep ascents, country lanes, woods, fields, splendid views, public houses and ends at the Violette Szabó GC Museum in Wormelow where hopefully walkers will leave a donation for the future upkeep.

It was developed from an idea to link Hereford with the Museum by Mike Colton who is the founder and secretary of the Allied Special Forces Association.

The Inaugural Walk took place on Sunday 27th. August 2000 at 9am.

The second walk was due to take place on the 23rd. June 2001 to join the First Violette Szabó GC Picnic.

This walk was however cancelled due to the Foot and Mouth Epidemic which has ravaged Herefordshire. Some of the Trail Markers as seen above have been put in place on the road crossings but more will be added to fully way mark the route once Herefordshire County Council open up the rights of way again.

We must also mention that 100 Trail Markers have been puchased due to the generosity of the following businessmen:-

• Mike Parsons of The Surveillance Group

• Mick Billman of Viking Security & Protection

• Bill Gross of Wyvern Flooring

In due course we will be adding extra posts and Trail Markers on Aconbury Hill with the consent of the estate of the Duchy of Cornwall.

This Trail has been developed in association with all the land owners along the route, Herefordshire Council and it is hoped that Ordnance Survey will include it on future editions of Map Sheets Explorer 189 - Hereford & Ross on Wye.

We hope that you enjoy the Trail and your visit to The Violette Szabó GC Museum

Walk this way!

Map Sheets Explorer 189 - Hereford & Ross on Wye

The start point is at the Graftonbury Garden Hotel and then heads across fields and Grafton Wood towards the A49, where walkers are advised to cross with care. To the right on the A49 you will find the Grafton Inn and Hotel complex.

A steep ascent follows up to Ridge Hill where walkers have to negotiate Stinger Alley at the top. Turn right after the alley onto the metalled road and along to the first cottage on the left where a left turn will lead you down to the lower metalled road and a right turn again followed by a left turn after 150 metres leads up the lane.

This lane leads you to open countryside, and whilst heading generally South a steady climb leads you across fields towards William's Wood from where the views on a good day are quite spectacular.

Go straight across from William's Wood and head due South toward the telegraph pole and then towards Aconbury Hill. Once in the wood go up to the track, the route crosses over this track but you might like a little diversion!

Turn right along the track for about 100 metres to the clearing and look down to the right where a small track leads to a splendid viewpoint from where you can see out over the Herefordshire countryside way past the Madley Satellite Station. Walkers are welcome on Aconbury Hill which is now part of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate.

Rejoin the original route and as you proceed over Aconbury Hill the path leads you over to a section of lanes from which you can divert to the Castle Inn at Little Birch for well earned refreshment.

Soon you will continue South and then turn South West down to a brook and up again towards the A49 and Tump Lane where you will find "Cartref", The Millennium Green and THE VIOLETTE SZABO GC MUSEUM on the left hand side.

After your visit try the Tump Inn or walk back to the start!

Please allow at least 3 hours to complete the route and don't forget to let someone know that you are out on the Trail.