A Guide to the Dymock Walks

I've now walked all three of Dymock's circular routes. Here's how they compare and which I'd recommend.

The Dymock Walks

If you've spent any time looking for walks in north west Gloucestershire, you've probably come across the three circular routes that start from the village of Dymock. Together they make a nice little challenge: Poets Path 1, Poets Path 2 and The Daffodil Way. They're all around 8–9 miles long each and can even be linked together if you're feeling particularly ambitious. I haven't been that ambitious, but I have now completed all three.

The walks share plenty in common. They all start from Dymock, pass through peaceful farmland and quiet country lanes, and have links to the famous Dymock Poets, including Robert Frost, Edward Thomas and Lascelles Abercrombie. They're all fairly flat too, so the distance is more of a challenge than the hills.

That said, they aren't all equal. Here's my verdict after walking every one.

Poets Path 1 – A Pleasant Introduction

Distance: 8 miles

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Poets Path 1

This was the first of the three routes I completed and it made a very good first impression. The route follows the River Leadon through farmland before passing woodland near Redmarley and returning to Dymock along quiet country lanes.

I particularly enjoyed wandering through Redmarley Wood and unexpectedly finding an old US Army portable darkroom hidden away in Ever Hill Coppice. It also feels like a genuine literary pilgrimage as you pass Ryton, where Robert Frost stayed with Lascelles Abercrombie.

The scenery isn't spectacular, but it's peaceful, varied enough to stay interesting and easy to follow. Even my two terriers approved, although they slept for the rest of the afternoon afterwards.

Would I recommend it?

Yes. If you want a relaxed countryside walk with a bit of literary history, this is well worth doing. It isn't dramatic or especially challenging, but it's an enjoyable few hours out.

Read the full walk report: Dymock Poets Path 1: Literary History and Countryside Trails

Poets Path 2 – For Poetry Fans Only

Distance: 8.5 miles (9.2 with my diversions)

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Poets Path 2

This one... didn't quite go to plan.

To be fair, I walked it after a spell of heavy rain, so I can't blame the route for everything. But even allowing for that, it turned into one of the least enjoyable walks I've ever done.

There was endless mud, neglected footpaths, burdock burrs covering the dogs, slurry, awkward stiles, a confrontation with an angry-looking cow and, just to finish things off nicely, a bird decided to poo on my shoulder.

There are interesting literary landmarks along the way, including Robert Frost's former home at Little Iddens and Wilfrid Gibson's Old Nail Shop, but the walking itself simply isn't that enjoyable compared with the other two routes.

Would I recommend it?

Generally no. Unless you're particularly interested in the Dymock Poets or want to complete all three walks, I'd give this one a miss. If you do tackle it, choose a dry spell in summer rather than November.

Read the full walk report: Dymock Poets Path 2: Having a Terrible Time on a Poetic Pilgrimage

The Daffodil Way – The Best of the Three

Distance: 9 miles

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

The Daffodil Way

I deliberately saved this one until spring because there's not much point walking the Daffodil Way when there aren't any daffodils. It was worth the wait.

The route passes through the famous "Golden Triangle" around Dymock, Kempley and Oxenhall, where vast drifts of wild daffodils cover woodland floors and fields each spring. There are also lovely woodland sections, views towards the Malvern Hills and a generally nicer balance of scenery than either of the Poets Paths.

By the halfway point I'd seen enough daffodils to last me until next spring, but that's hardly a complaint.

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely. If you're only going to do one of the Dymock walks, make it this one. Time your visit for daffodil season and you'll see this part of Gloucestershire at its very best.

Read the full walk report: The Daffodil Way: A 9 Mile Walk in the Golden Triangle

My Overall Ranking

1. The Daffodil Way ★★★★☆

The best of the three. Beautiful in spring, varied throughout and the route I'd recommend to almost anyone visiting Dymock.

2. Poets Path 1 ★★★☆☆

A pleasant, easy-going countryside walk with plenty of literary history. Worth doing, although it lacks the scenery to make it truly memorable.

3. Poets Path 2 ★☆☆☆☆

One for completists and poetry enthusiasts only. Neglected paths, endless farmland and very little variety make it difficult to recommend over the other two.

Should You Walk All Three?

If you're interested in local history, enjoy ticking off long-distance routes or simply like exploring different corners of the Gloucestershire countryside, then yes. Completing all three felt satisfying, even if one of them nearly put me off ever walking on farmland again.

If you're just visiting Dymock for a day, though, I'd keep things simple. Walk the Daffodil Way in spring or Poets Path 1 at any other time of year, then finish with a pint at the Beauchamp Arms. I can personally recommend that ending far more enthusiastically than I can recommend Poets Path 2.