[1] Leave the Wilton Road car park through the subway under the road by the skateboard park (if the subway is too wet go back and cross Wilton Road into Wye Street, then across the grass to the riverside). Cross the grass with the bandstand on your right, cross the road and walk to the riverbank. At the river turn left and continue downstream along the bank to Wilton Bridge. Climb a short flight of steps through the trees and up to the road, then walk over the bridge.
(A) Wilton Bridge. The six-arched red sandstone bridge was completed in 1600 and was a toll bridge linking Wilton to Ross-on-Wye. The sun dial was installed in 1712, originally on the opposite side of the bridge. It was moved in 1939 when the bridge was widened and strengthened to cope with increased wartime traffic. Local residents still await its restoration to its pre-war state.
[2] Immediately at the end of the bridge take the public footpath on the right down steps to the riverbank. Keep left and when you reach the castle fence pass through a metal gate and a footbridge to the right. At the end of the footbridge go through a kissing gate into a field and turn sharp left past the ruined castle walls. After a few yards turn left over another footbridge.
(B) Wilton Castle was probably built in the 11th century on a site that commanded views of two roads and the river and was one of many that served to police the Anglo-Welsh border. The castle was set on fire in 1642 during the Civil War. The current owners and English Heritage have spent several years in tidying the site and restoring parts of the ruins. It is open to the public on a limited basis during summer months.
Leave the castle boundary and follow the permissive footpath along the brook to the right as far as the tunnel.
This permissive path makes the walk safe, avoiding an otherwise very dangerous crossing of the A40 dual carriageway.
[3] Take the waymarked path through the tunnel under the A40.
The tunnel path is a concrete ledge just over 2 ft wide beside the muddy brook and has no handrail - take especial care of children or unsteady walkers and don't let dogs get in the way.
On exiting the tunnel turn sharp left up the slope parallel to the A40 to regain the public footpath at the top by the houses. (Please do not short-cut diagonally across the field). Turn right at the top of the slope and, keeping the fences and hedges on the left go through a metal gate, and then through another gate beside the access to Greenoak Lodge. Cross a track to reach a concrete farm drive and turn right. After 30 yards turn left through a kissing gate cross the field in the direction of the church tower to another small metal gate. Continue to the far side of the next field to enter Bridstow churchyard through a kissing gate.
(C) Bridstow Church. A church has existed on this site since before the arrival of the Normans. The tower dates from the late 14th century and is the only part which is original, the rest of the church having been rebuilt in 1862. The chancel arch, the east window and two arches built into the north wall of the chancel were recycled from the earlier building.
(If you retrace your steps to Ross from here the total walk is about 3.0 miles but see note D if you would rather catch the 33 bus).
[4] After visiting the church, leave the churchyard by the main gate, cross the lane, pass through two kissing gates and continue along the field edge to the lane at Pool Mill. The bus stop is to the right.
Retracing your steps from Pool Mill back to Ross makes a walk of around 3.6 miles in total. To return to Wilton and Ross by bus either catch the 37 which stops close to the end of the footpath at Pool Mill or walk back to Bridstow Church, where you turn right to walk 250m up the lane past the school to the bus stop at A49 junction for the much more frequent 33.
(N.B. Stay alive! DO NOT walk back along the A49 and attempt to cross the A40 dual carriageway at Wilton roundabout).
For a longer walk, continue to Broome Farm by turning right along the lane, passing the 37 bus stop. Follow the lane and the "Broome Farm" signs, keeping left at road junctions.
[5] Take the fairly steep entrance to the farm which is on the left.
(D) Broome Cider Farm. Cream teas are available during the summer months. Cider tours and tastings are also available during longer periods of the year. After visiting Broome Farm one can again retrace one’s steps to Ross (around 5 miles in total) or continue the walk to Peterstow.
To go on to Peterstow carry on up the track leaving the farm buildings to your left. The track bears left slightly as it enters the orchards. After about 100 yards the track then swings right and gently uphill, eventually becoming a tarmac lane between houses. The lane emerges on to the A49 beside the village store.
The bus stop by the village store is for the 33 bus back to Wilton and Ross. Retracing your steps to Ross makes the walk about 6.2 miles in total.