Mayhill

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OS map: Explorer OL14; Landranger 162 https://static.nationaltrust.org.uk/trails/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/may-hill/may-hill-countryside-walk-walking.pdf 

Duration: 1 hour

Distance: 3 miles

As you leave the car park there is an initial steep climb up a flint dirt path through the trees, but this is soon replaced by open grass common with a slightly lesser incline and with, on this day, a small group of ponies were wandering around. A sign reads ‘Grazing horses: The horses and ponies are owned by a local commons grazier. They are semi-feral and roam freely across the common and not allowed onto the summit. They can be unpredictable so for your own safety never approach them or feed them and close all gates.’

Through a kissing gate (kissing is of course entirely optional) and then you are on to an open area, mostly grass but with a mix of bracken and gorse all around. The woods are on your right at this point but in general terms surround the entire hill but with some restricted access. There are some boggy areas, certainly in February when this walk was enjoyed.

A slow steady walk up towards the summit is rewarded with a selection of seats to rest as well as enjoying the commanding views of the Malvern Hills to the north, the Cotswold Hills to the east, the River Severn snaking through the vale, the Forest of Dean to the west, the Black Mountains and Welsh hills beyond, and (on a good day) the views can extend as far as Somerset and South/East Wales.

On warmer days you will probably encounter a herd of Belted Galloway cattle that were introduced to May Hill over 10 years ago and who, by grazing the land here, are helping support the biodiversity of the hill. They have, according to the National Trust site, retired to the gentle slopes of May Hill and are enjoying their twilight years in peace and harmony.

At the summit of the hill, you will identify a surrounding ridge that suggests that this was once a Iron Age hill fort. You will also see two signs, within the Pine trees, that speak to the history of the site. The first plaque that replaces the original one from 1867 when the trees on the hilltop were planted to commemorate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria – there had actually long been trees on the hill that had served as a landmark for navigators on the River Severn. At which time this land was gifted to the parish for all time. The second to note that some of the younger trees were replanted by the May Hill Preservation Society to celebrate the 1977 Jubilee year of Queen Elizabeth.

The story goes that only 99 trees will live on the top of the hill and the 100th will ne’er survive, or some such myth. If counting is your thing, then best bring some ribbon to help you.

As for the name, well a 1646 map of Gloucestershire shows a place called Yattleton Hill or Larkeldon, perhaps deriving from a Celtic word Larkledune meaning a round-topped hill. None of these, however, explain the modern name, May Hill, which first appears in 1703, although one tradition links the name to an Admiral May who supposedly planted trees as navigation markers on the River Severn, though there is no evidence for this. Other thoughts are that the name May Hill likely comes from its association with May Day games.

Once rested the walk continues down the far side and into the Huntley Estate woods.

The heart of the walk is reaching the summit, a place I would imagine most walkers stop, returning to the car park when ready, and perhaps this is a way we see life, working life at least. A constant striving to reach our personal summit, the top of our career goals, but then what? If that is the highest we can get to then does that mean retirement is all downhill from this point? Is this perhaps the core of the problem here in that all the focus, all the rewards, all of the appreciation is in the working period, and the retirement period is just the vacuum of non-work rather than anything to aspire to or work towards?

Once the hill has been descended then the walk is predominantly within the wooded area, which on this warm day and due to the recent rain is somewhat mystical with the bright green of the moss covering many of the trees, both alive and fallen, contrasting with a light mist drifting through the trees and across the rough path.

This continues for some time before emerging back on the side of May Hill itself and a second view of the cluster of pines delivering easy directions back up and then over and down the other side towards the car park.

A few random facts about the hill:

• Between the summit and water tank trees were planted in the 1940s in a layout designed to look like Gloucester Cathedral from the air, as a memorial to a fallen airman
• From certain angles the clump of tress at the top is said to look like a ploughman and his team
• It is considered a ‘hollow hill’ where faeries reside
• Stories suggest Prince Rupert’s Cavaliers hid among the trees in 1643
• The hill inspired poets Edward Thomas, Robert Frost, and John Masefield, who featured it in ‘The Everlasting Mercy’.
• Composer Gerald Finzi's ashes were scattered here in 1973

A final gravity aided walk back down the path leads to the end, always a cheerful thought in a circular walk that the initial uphill challenge will now be a downhill delight.

And for refreshment then the Glasshouse is just over 2 miles away with a very pleasant beer garden and an eclectic interior.