Riversides Way

Start: Aymestrey
Grid Ref: SO 425654
End: Aymestrey (circular route)
Distance: 115 km
Walking Time: 8 days
Counties Traversed: Herefordshire
Explorer™ Maps: 201, 203

The Riversides Way is a circular route in that area of the Welsh Marches immediately to the south and west of Ludlow remaining in the valleys of the rivers Lugg and Teme, and the surrounding hills throughout its length. The walk passes through spectacular border scenery and includes locations which are well off the main tourist routes and remain largely unspoilt as a result. It visits many sites of interest including castles, churches, mills, hill forts and numerous small settlements, some of historic significance. The Way begins at the Riverside Inn at Aymestrey.

The Riversides Way takes its name from these two rivers that drain the region; the Teme in the north and the Lugg in the south. Both are secretive beautiful rivers. The Teme, in its upper reaches, flows past settlements steeped in history; Knucklas, Knighton, Leintwardine and Ludlow and through secret places, such as Downton Gorge. It is one of the fastest flowing rivers in the country. The Lugg is also swift flowing. It is also very clear, pacing through few settlements of any size in its upper reaches other than Presteigne. Its name means ‘clear water’. Like the Teme at Downton Gorge, the Lugg also imposed itself upon the landscape of the area after the last Ice Age, cutting its own gorge at Aymestrey.

Riverside Inn The area covered by the walk is rich in human history. The hill fort at Croft Ambrey was first occupied over 2500 years ago. The Saxon settlement that became Leintwardine is built on top of a Roman garrison town. Knucklas has its Arthurian legends. There are important Norman castle sites such as Richards Castle and Ludlow. There are churches that can trace their origins back to Saxon times, their sites to the Celts.

The guidebook splits the route into eight stages, keeping these relatively short because of the limited public transport and accommodation options at some points on the route. The Ludlow to Richards Castle stage can easily be walked in combination with the Ludlow Town Trail. The stages are as follows:
Aymestrey to Presteigne – 9.5 miles
Presteigne to Bleddfa – 9 miles
Bleddfa to Knighton – 7.5 miles
Knighton to Lingen – 9 miles
Lingen to Leintwardine – 13 miles
Leintwardine to Ludlow – 9.5 miles
Ludlow to Richards Castle – 6.5 miles
Richards Castle to Aymestrey – 8 miles

The guide book provides clear directions and sketch maps are provided. Practical information is provided to assist in planning the walk and contact details given to assist with accommodation. There is also plenty of background information provided about places of interest along the route.