Kilvert Inspired Walks in the Area
We are very lucky to live in what some describe as Kilvert Country. Francis Kilvert was a country clergyman who was born in 1840. He was a curate in Clyro near Hay on Wye from 1865 to 1872 and he visited Clyro many times until his death in 1879. He kept a detailed diary in which he recorded the places he visited and the people he met. His diary is celebrated as a reflection of rural life in the 1870s and his descriptions of the people, places, landscapes, seasons and nature as he walked the quiet lanes and tended to his flock are a reminder of simpler times.
Local teacher Mona Morgan was an active member of the Kilvert Society and she wrote a collection of "24 Walks in the Kilvert Country" which was published by The Kilvert Society in 1980. The walks reference places and events as described in the Diary and - with kind permission from the Society - we are delighted to share these here.
Each walk has been recce-d and anything relevant added to their descriptions (in italics), and we've added some photographs taken along the way (© Painscastle Community Council and John Price), especially places mentioned by Mona either in her own right or as referred to by Kilvert.
Mona’s descriptions of the walks are very detailed but please note some refer to others, so it’s worth reading through the description before setting out. If you aren’t familiar with the area then we would recommend taking a map. Mona recommends OS Sheet 148 (1¼ inches to the mile). Alternatively the 2½ inch to the mile OS maps give much greater detail. For longer walks she advises that stout boots are essential in any but the driest weather. The distances given refer to walking distances and are very approximate. All walks start from Clyro unless the description tells the reader to drive to the start point.
We are very lucky to live in what some describe as Kilvert Country. Francis Kilvert was a country clergyman who was born in 1840. He was a curate in Clyro near Hay on Wye from 1865 to 1872 and he visited Clyro many times until his death in 1879. He kept a detailed diary in which he recorded the places he visited and the people he met. His diary is celebrated as a reflection of rural life in the 1870s and his descriptions of the people, places, landscapes, seasons and nature as he walked the quiet lanes and tended to his flock are a reminder of simpler times.
Local teacher Mona Morgan was an active member of the Kilvert Society and she wrote a collection of "24 Walks in the Kilvert Country" which was published by The Kilvert Society in 1980. The walks reference places and events as described in the Diary and - with kind permission from the Society - we are delighted to share these here.
Each walk has been recce-d and anything relevant added to their descriptions (in italics), and we've added some photographs taken along the way (© Painscastle Community Council and John Price), especially places mentioned by Mona either in her own right or as referred to by Kilvert.
Mona’s descriptions of the walks are very detailed but please note some refer to others, so it’s worth reading through the description before setting out. If you aren’t familiar with the area then we would recommend taking a map. Mona recommends OS Sheet 148 (1¼ inches to the mile). Alternatively the 2½ inch to the mile OS maps give much greater detail. For longer walks she advises that stout boots are essential in any but the driest weather. The distances given refer to walking distances and are very approximate. All walks start from Clyro unless the description tells the reader to drive to the start point.
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Further Reading and detail of the individual walks.....
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Links to further information......
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See the link for more information about Mona Morgan -->
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See the link for more information about the The Kilvert Society -->
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Walk 1 – On Foot Round Llowes Common (About 2 miles)
We started this walk at Clyro filling station which meant that the walk was just under three miles, going through Clyro, up to Llowes Common, and back down a pretty lane taking us down past Clyro School. There are lovely views across to Hay and Llanigon and the Black Mountains. (Walked in February 2026) |
Walk 1 - On Foot Round Llowes Common
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Walk 2 - Here is the second of Mona’s walks which we recce-d in March 2026. It was another circular walk which started and ended in Clyro and it was around 4 miles. Again we have added one or two notes which are in italics. Please note the reference to Walk 1 at the start.
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Walk 3 - We recced this walk in April 2026. It is a circular walk of around 4.5 miles and is almost all on side roads and bridal paths; walking boots are definitely required. The uphill part of the walk is very gentle and the views on a fine day are spectacular.
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