St Bartholomew's Church in Redmarley was rebuilt in the 19th century, but it contains many interesting features. In the village there are several timber-framed buildings which date from the 1500s. This walk has some steep climbs and descents. From Redmarley you descend into the Leadon Valley to Pauntley, walking parallel to the river. Pauntley Court was the home of the Whittington family between 1311 and 1546 and two of the church's windows carry the family coat of arms. The present house, which is closed to the public, mainly dates from the 18th century, but a half-timbered wing, for long used as a granary, may have been built by the Whittingtons in the 1500s. In the grounds is a square stone dovecote.
From Pauntley comes perhaps the highlight of the walk, the stretch of walking along the River Leadon near Durbridge Farm, where the river cuts through the sandstone hills to create a little-known but remarkably beautiful small gorge, with hanging woods and old farm buildings. Much of the shaping of this area happened during the Ice Age which ended about 20,000 years ago. Tongues of ice from the Welsh mountains blocked many of the existing river valleys to create large lakes from which the water found new routes out to sea, the largest of which is the Ironbridge Gorge on the River Severn below Shrewsbury. Immediately after the Ice Age, the flood of meltwater caused many rivers to cut much deeper channels on their existing courses. The detailed history of the area at this time is still unclear, but traces of ice erosion remain in both the wide, smooth-sided valleys, which may be former courses of the river, and the main valley of the Leadon.
The combination of the bending river, the hanging woods, and the vivid red sandstone creates some spectacular scenery. Coming down a side valley you pass between woods containing oak, beech, and holly, and a lake fringed with bulrushes, and in summer covered in water lilies. A section along the slow-flowing Leadon brings you to Durbridge Farm, where there is a fine view of the gorge, with the river flowing between rows of trees. Durbridge Mill, a sanctuary of old buildings, is another fine sight. Soon after leaving Leadon Gorge the walk passes Three Choirs Vineyards where some of England's finest wines are produced. Afterwards, enjoy quiet countryside walking back to Redmarley.
Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.
