Up Marden Three Churches. The world Famous 3 Churches Walk
Up Marden Three Churches. Yes, you have read that right, and yes it is very immodest. Every year on Easter Sunday a whole group of folk do this walk. They come from allover the world, from China and Japan, from South Africa and America,from Brazil and Spain. Many of those who come do so year after year.Such is the greatness of this walk. It has everything, great views, a great pub, on warm summer days there is no better area for butterflies and to top the lot it has the best church in the world.What more could you want.
Starting at Up Marden Church Walk back along the track to the “T” junction and turn left. Follow the road for about ¼ of a mile and just as it turns left at the bottom of a downhill stretch you will see a path on your right, walk down this path. Follow this path until you meet a crossing path at a yellow finger post. This path is leading down a sharp steep stretch of hill. Turn left and go down the hill into the field. I took this photo just as you enter the field
Walk across the field with a row of trees to your right hand side. Climb the short hill into the field at the top of the hill and turn right.Then follow the path around the field until you reach a stile in the fence. Go over this stile and walk diagonally across the field until you reach a stile. This is a very dangerous stile and requires some care in climbing. Having crossed the stile turn right and walk down to the church. (This is the first church.)
When you leave the church turn left and walk a few yards around the bend until you meet a narrow road on the right, turn right up this road and walk along it to a farm track then turn left. This is where a little bit of observation is needed. The finger post for the next path is now a two finger post giving the impression that there is no right turn through the farm yard, there is a path. (if you inspect the post you will see that the third finger has dropped out and not been replaced)
You will come to a kissing gate go through this gate and on down the field. Keep walking because you won’t see the stile on your right until the last minute. Cross this stile and turn left to another kissing gate. Go through the kissing gate and continue down the hill.
At the bottom of the hill there is a field with a path going diagonally across it. Go on that path it will lead you to a gap in the hedge which isn’t entirely clear until your actually on it. Squeeze through this gap and up to the road.Cross this road diagonally left and on up the hill. This path leads through a forest and up to a field with a row of very splendid beach trees to your left. Keep walking until you meet a farm track at the other end of the field. Turn left here and walk up the muddy path until you reach a forest track then turn left.
After about 20 minutes of walking you will come to a clearing with a left turn go down that path. At the road turn right and walk to the Hare and Hounds. This is a very naughty pub and not in the least bit concerned about your diet.
On leaving the pub, carry on the road and turn right at the first opportunity up the path to St, Mary’s church (No 2)
After visiting the church go through the graveyard to the kissing gate and , keeping the hedge to your left go across the field to the path and turn right.
Walk right over the hill and down to the other side where you will meet a tarmac road go over this road and up the hill.
Part way up the hill take the right hand fork and walk to the top. Take the right turn at the top and go over the stile which is just past these remote houses. Follow this forest track all the way down the hill and take the left hand turn at the bottom. Carry on to the top of the hill. Ignore the right hand turn and follow the path up the hill and still following the path, down and up another hill (yes you did read that right) at the top of this hill turn right out into a field. Again turn right and follow the edge of the field until you meet a farm track the turn right back to your starting point St Michael’s Church. The finest church in the world.
This walk is Sponsored by. Orchard Barn
Up Marden
PO18 9JR
01243535266