Sunshine and common land: CPRE Herefordshire’s Love Your Countryside walk

CPRE Herefordshire held its Love Your Countryside walk on Sunday 20 September.

Walkers joined Trustee Paul Lodge for the 5.5 mile circular route in warm autumn sunshine, taking in common land, a medieval abbey and views across the Welsh border.

The route: from the Common to Dore Abbey

Starting at Ewyas Harold’s village car park, walkers crossed Ewyas Harold Common, where grazing ponies and wild flora thrive on common land that, nationally, covers 1.3 million acres, 88% of it wildlife, landscape or archaeologically designated. The route then followed the River Dore towards Dore Abbey, founded in 1147 and one of Herefordshire’s most significant medieval survivals. Along the way, we enjoyed wide views across south west Herefordshire and the Welsh border country, including Offa’s Dyke Path, the Cat’s Back and the summit of the Skirrid. The final leg returned via the Dulas Brook Valley back to the start.

Meeting trustees with refreshments along the way

The weather was kind for the occasion, with clear skies for the whole three hour walk. Trustees Andrew and Stuart met walkers halfway along the route with hot drinks and cake, a welcome pause before we pressed on.

Thank you to everyone who made the walk happen

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the walk, and to our volunteer trustees for leading the route and keeping everyone refreshed along the way. Events like this rely on people giving their time, and CPRE Herefordshire is always looking for volunteers to help with walks, hedgerow planting and river monitoring across the county.

Sign up to get involved

2026 marks 100 years of CPRE standing up for the countryside, and CPRE Herefordshire is proud to be part of that story. The centenary is more than a celebration, it’s a call to action: an invitation to Love Your Countryside, protect what matters, regenerate what’s been lost and connect to the places that sustain us all.

Find out more about CPRE’s centenary