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Subject: The Poets' Walk
Journal: The Independent
Date: July 1997
Author: Clive Fewins

In the years immediately before the First World War the so-called ‘Dymock Poets’ – a group that included Edward Thomas, Lascelles Abercrombie, Robert Frost and Wilfrid Gibson – all lived or stayed in hamlets near the Gloucestershire village of that name. Two local footpaths have been named after them, both of which are favourites of mine.

For a six mile winter walk through this gentle countryside I recommend Poets Path Two. It starts from the north side of the churchyard, at St Mary’s Dymock, where a signposted path leads across several fields beside the River Leadon up to the hamlet of Tillers Green. When the path joins a minor road turn right. You will pass two small fruit farms before taking another signposted path that travels west It will take you along a series of field paths for about two miles, after which you will reach Old Fields House, Leddington, an isolated property where Edward Thomas and his family stayed on holiday in 1914.

Little Iddens: the cottage the American poet
Robert Frost lived with his family.

From here the path leads across more fields until you join a bridle road by a half-timbered cottage called Little Iddens. This was where the American poet Robert Frost lived with his family after moving to England in 1912. Next door is Glynn Iddens, where poet Eleanor Farjeon took rooms in 1914. When the track joins a minor road follow it to Greenway, passing The Old Nail Shop, the house where the poet Wilfrid Gibson lived from 1913-1917. A mile on, at Broom’s Green, the small pub has recently closed, but if you do the walk in a morning a good lunch is available at The Beauchamp Arms at Dymock, just two short miles from Broom's Green along a clearly marked field path via Knight’s Green. Allow three hours and be sure to take stout boots at this time of year.

Maps: OS Landranger 149, Explorer 189

Further information: Maps of the paths are available price 50p from Ledbury tourist information centre (01531 636147) The maps are also on sale at Dymock church, where there is a small permanent exhibition on the poets.

The Beauchamp Arms: 01531 890266.

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