Martley combines a waymarked circular walk with geological features and historic buildings. The Martley Circular Walk passes through traditional orchards, pastureland and ancient woodland; one section forms part of the Worcestershire Way. There are also the geological exposures at Martley Rock and the wall paintings at St Peter. This offers a choice of focus for your stay, between nature, geology and architectural history.
The Martley Circular Walk
The Martley Circular Walk is 6¼ miles long and marked with a “Buzzard” symbol and directional arrows. The circular route starts and ends at the car park at St Peter’s Church. Parking for the walk is limited there; check the parking arrangements before your walk, as they may change.
The route’s landscape includes traditional orchards, pastureland and ancient woodland. The section of the Worcestershire Way is another part of the route. Together, these details give a clear picture of the walk: a waymarked circuit with varied landscape features and a named section of a long-distance trail.
Geological exposures at Martley Rock
Martley Rock offers a different way to explore the landscape: the developed visitor area has information boards and leaflets explaining the geological exposures. Five geological periods can be seen across an area of about 60 × 15 metres. The East Malvern Fault runs through the site. Visitors interested in how the landscape formed and is structured will find specific geological topics here rather than another walking route. Check the visitor arrangements before travelling, as local arrangements should be checked again.
St Peter and historic architecture
St Peter in Martley has architectural features dating from the early 12th and early 13th centuries, as well as around 1315. The wall paintings also vary by location and period: those in the nave date from the 15th century; the chancel contains paintings from the late 13th and 15th centuries, including a 15th-century Annunciation group. These details give the church a rich architectural and artistic history. On Sundays, St Peter offers both contemporary and traditional services. If you plan to attend a service, check the details beforehand.
The Old Hall in Martley has a 14th-century core and combines architectural styles from the medieval period through to the Victorian era. In the Martley Conservation Area, nine buildings and four architectural features are included on the list of buildings of architectural or historic interest. The church, The Old Hall and the designated features offer different points of interest for anyone more interested in architectural history than a longer walk.
More paths and traces of history
Nearby, Ankerdine Common lies off the B4197 between Knightwick and Martley. From an elevated viewpoint, there are views across the Teme Valley. The Dormouse Trail also runs through hilly, unsurfaced terrain of compacted earth and over a few steps at Ankerdine Common Picnic Place. The nature of the path is therefore quite different from simply taking in the view. Check the latest information about the terrain and route before your walk.
Berrow Hill Camp is a Scheduled Monument but is not open to the public. This is an important planning restriction: the site cannot be included as a visitor destination. Its earthworks are extensive and comparatively well preserved, despite damage from quarrying, partial woodland cover, paths and erected fence posts. The camp therefore remains a relevant historical trace, without this implying public access.
If you are looking for accommodation in Martley, you can choose the area according to your main interest: the Circular Walk is about walking and landscape, Martley Rock about geology, and St Peter and The Old Hall about architectural and artistic history. These distinct areas of interest make it easy to connect Martley with a specific travel idea.
For the wider travel overview: Worcestershire.
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