Starting Point

These directions are based on walking the Kerry Ridgeway in an easterly direction. The starting point is just north of Cider House Farm on the B4355. A new car park and picnic area has been developed here. There are several useful intermediate parking places, these are identified in the text and on the map.

Public transport is infrequent. On Tuesday mornings, it is possible to catch a 773 bus from Bishop's Castle to the car park at Ceri (Kerry) Forest (Point 4 on the map below), allowing a whole day to walk back to Bishop's Castle.

The Route

1. The Kerry Ridgeway commences at the new car parking area on the B4355, just north of Cider House Farm. Follow the signposted bridleway, climbing gently to reach Cross Dyke.

2. Continuing eastwards, in a short distance beyond the gates you'll reach the feature christened Two Tumps. These two Bronze Age burial mounds must have been hugely impressive when constructed, but millennia of weathering have diminished them to today's grassy mounds. This lofty site is an excellent place to take in the extensive views.

3. The Ridgeway strikes eastwards along the crest of Kerry Hill itself. From this early section of the ridge, streams flowing north run through the village of Kerry, which remains out of sight until a few hundred yards short of Kerry Pole.

Perched atop a telegraph pole, a red fox weathervane overlooks a junction of ancient routes.

4. Falling gently, the Ridgeway crosses the B4368 at Ceri Forest Enterprise car park, then rises through the first of a number of plantations which make up Kerry Forest. Follow the forestry road to the left-bend, here leave it and go ahead through the gate, the greenway now skirting Block Wood. Off to the right across the field beyond the power cables is a small stone circle, lying on private land.

5. The Ridgeway continues through gates to a lane near the distant Kerry Pole... an enigma as mysterious as these old routeways!

6. The Ridgeway now follows the ridgetop lane, revealing fine views north. At the cross-roads continue ahead along the wide forestry road, after 50 yards look south west (right) to gain your last glimpse of the Brecon Beacons and Fan Fawn (The crossroads can be reached via a minor road from Anchor, on the B4368 between Clun and Kerry, turn behind the pub. Turn into the forestry road to park at either the junction with the next lane or at the picnic tables nearly a mile along the forestry road.)

Soon after the tarred lane turns south (don't follow it!), another prehistoric ditch cuts arross the Ridgeway. This is Upper Short Ditch. Ignore the left fork and contine along the level road.

7. The well-surfaced forestry road shortly bends into Long Plantation, where a small, secluded picnic area has been provided (room for parking a few cars here).

It's well worth taking the opportunity to pause and enjoy the commanding view down the wooded chasm of Siercwm into the Caebitra Valley. The backcloth to the north sweeps across a wide panorama of Mid Wales highest mountains.

Keep right, along the level roadway, soon passing by a gate.

8. Keeping right at the next fork, the Ridgeway reaches the edge of Long Plantation. Bear ahead-left along the greenway, leaving the forestry road to bend right past a line of tall beeches. Extensive views north again open out over sheep pastures whilst ahead the distinct peak of Corndon is the focal point.

9. Bear left along the rough lane for a few yards, then keep right at the fork with the field road, remaining with the old forestry road alongside the plantation edge to reach a gate. Beyond this pick up the greenway ahead-left, lined with thorn trees. This passes by the scant remains of a Bronze Age tumulus, gradually developing into a rough, hedged lane to reach the farm and junction at Pantglas (the green hollow). Bear right at the junction, the Ridgeway from here-on is along tarred lanes. In about a mile the route cuts through Offa's Dyke national trail (look for footpath signs either side of the lane).

10. The Ridgeway descends to a staggered cross-roads in a hollow, en route passing a quaint cottage, once a drovers inn. Dog & Duck cottage, in the dip beyond the telephone box, was also an inn, retaining its name over 150 years after being delicensed. Following the lane towards Bishop's Moat the Ridgeway climbs a steep hill, but not to the natural crest, for this is occupied by the circular earthwork of an Iron Age hill-fort, Caer Din.

11. The lane loses height gradually, its verges brightened in spring and summer by countless wildflowers, failing to an offset meeting of minor roads where the Ridgeway passes finally into England. Follow the sign for Bishop's Castle. The road system is very old, but the present configuration has evolved from the modifications effected by the motte-and-bailey castle called Bishopsmoat, on the left just beyond the junction.

12. From here the Ridgeway falls very gradually along Moat Hill. Fork right along Kerry Lane (signposted for Lydbury North) to reach Bishop's Castle, a fascinating little market town, once the smallest Borough in England and still hosting its own brewery!