Bunch of Carrots, River Wye

Overview

The Bunch of Carrots pub and associated car park is the focal point for following an adjacent loop of the true left bank of the River Wye. The flood barrier here affords the luxury of elevated linear viewing both upstream and downstream for perhaps half a mile in either direction.   There are fine views westwards over the low-lying permanent pastures of Sink Green Farm and on to Dinedor Hill.   Eastward looking towards Hampton Bishop there is varied habitat comprising garden, orchard and small pastures.

Directions, parking, access times and other facilities

Map reference: SO 551 381
Sat Nav/Post Code: HR1 4JR

Vehicular access: The riverside pub and car park are ideally situated halfway between the eastern outskirts of Hereford and Moridford on the B4224. There is ample parking space and responsible users are generally welcome whether or not the pub’s facilities are used.

Access by foot: The Wye Valley Walk hugs the river from the flood barrier north west to Hereford (1.5 miles to Hampton Park) and downstream via picturesque meanders three miles to Mordiford. On the opposite (right) bank an alternative public footpath follows the river downstream from the new footbridge near the Hereford sewage farm (S) 521 392) to the B4399 just south of Sink Green Farm.

Other facilities: A wide range of refreshments is available at the Bunch of Carrots (www.bunch-of-carrots.co.uk) throughout the day.

Maps:
Ordnance Survey Landranger Sheet 149 and Explorer Sheet 189
Maps:
OS Map View (1:25,000)

 

What to see
The area reviewed comprises about half a mile of flood barrier path either side of the Bunch of Carrots pub, with a wide range of species to be seen.
Resident	Canada Goose (groups commonly counted on opposite bank), Mallard, Moorhen, Heron, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush, great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Stock Dove, Kingfisher.
Winter	Redwing, Fieldfare, Goosander, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Cormorant, Green Sandpiper (occasional).
Summer	Curlew (March to July – 1 or 2 pairs breeding at Sink Green Farm), Sand Martin (colony on opposite bank) and other hirundines, Mandarin (between here and Mordiford), Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler.
Spring/autumn	Common Sandpiper, Willow Warbler, Cuckoo, Wheatear (occasional).
Resources
Wye Valley Walk: www.wyevalleywalk.org
Nearby sites
Hampton Meadow HWT, Haugh Wood, Lower Lugg and confluence with River Wye, Dinedor Iron Age Camp (SO 522 363).