THE Lugg used to be larger than its tributary, the River Wye.

At the end of the Ice Age, the Teme, swollen with water from melting ice, joined the Lugg. It formed one mighty river flowing down the centre of what was to become Herefordshire and carved out the great wide valley that we see today.

Later moraines blocked the outlet of the Teme and forced it to flow east to join the Severn leaving the wide valley, underlain by sheets of gravel, to be occupied by the now much smaller Lugg.

Three-quarters of the river flows though Herefordshire and its catchment area occupies half the county. Information about cargoes carried down the years is sketchy; the mainstays were timber, cider, malt, hops, wool, corn and oak bark for tanning - a major export from Chepstow from about 1850.

The Lugg’s most famous boat cargo was the bells of Leominster Priory in 1756. These were taken down to the Wye and on to Chepstow to be recast and returned by the same route.

Our family walk this month is a gentle one from Stoke Prior on the Lugg’s left bank. After a very modest climb commanding most surprising views to the Welsh hills, we reach 14th century timber-framed Eaton Hall, now a farmhouse.

The house was built by the Hackluyt family. William Hackluyt fought for King Henry V in the Battle of Agincourt and took a French nobleman called St George.

Just beyond the farmyard is a delightful seventeenth century stone bridge (at point 4) which gives access across the Lugg to the water meadows. Once through the Millennium gate we follow a stretch of river which, despite the proximity of the Leominster by-pass, is still rich in wildlife.

There’s a chance if you walk stealthily enough along the bank to spot a kingfisher swooping from its riverside perch; and local anglers have reported early morning sightings of the otter. (Acknowledgment to Pete Blench: Walking Out From Leominster).

About fifty yards in from the riverbank, there’s a true English Black Poplar. With down-arching branches covered in gnarled bosses, it’s a rare tree. In fact, according to the Forestry Commission, it is the most endangered native timber tree in Britain.

It usually grows in isolation in boggy ground such as in wet woodland or on flood plains. Mature trees grow to 30m, commonly live for 200 years, and sometimes last for 225.

Black poplar wood is fine textured, soft and almost white in colour. It is resistant to shock, and traditional uses therefore included carts, floorboards and clogs. It was also used to make matches.

Today, black poplar timber is used to make artificial limbs, wine cases, pallets, shelving and toys. Our fine specimen by the Lugg is both isolated and on the flood plain. But be careful, for it is said that fallen red male catkins are the Devil's fingers, and bring you bad luck if you decide to pick them up.

Volca bridge is at point 5 after we have walked along the riverside for about a mile. The bridge was probably built to replace a ford which would have been drowned out when a lock was built a little lower on the river. It provided the inhabitants of Stoke Prior with the means to cross from the left bank to their Lammas Meadows on the right.

“Volca” derives from the earlier name for a common Lammas meadow “Folkehey”, or meadow of the people. The floodplain here, at the confluence of the Arrow and the Lugg, is bounded on nearly three sides by the rivers which overflow their banks on a regular basis.

If we have resisted the temptation to put some catkins in our pocket, we may well catch a glimpse of hares in the vicinity of the bridge, as well as the kingfisher and the otter.

Stoke Prior and the Lugg.

Village, country lane, easily attained views, riverside, wildlife and a rare tree.

An easy 3 mile walk. Up to 10 stiles.

Map: OS Explorer 202, Leominster & Bromyard. Buses 437 and 477.

Public transport: Bus no. 426 calls at Lamb Inn, Stoke Prior at start of walk.

The Route 1. Stoke Prior. 2 miles south of Leominster. Taking our start point to be the road junction island in the centre of the village, head up the road as if for Leominster. Pass the Post Office and the Lamb Inn, with its car park. After nearly half a mile, a little beyond a drive going right to The Slough, TR through a gate (just before an old barn). After 75m, go through a gate and ahead along the L edge of an orchard to cross a stile. Go forward in field about 20m.

2. Copse. TL along L edge/hedge up into copse past a redundant stile. Keep ahead at path junction, under telegraph line and go through a gate. Keep ahead through small field with ant-hills. Go through waymarked gap in line of trees ahead (with great views opening up to Black Mountains and Radnor Forest). Keep ahead and cross stile, pass marker post and go down the wide farm track, very slightly L to join the hedge on your left. Go down bank into the Hollow Way and TL over a stile to pass to the L of Eaton House, over stile on to road.

3. Eaton. TR along the country lane for 195m. TL and keep ahead along the wide drive, ignoring the right turn, but bending very slightly R to the R of the stables, and leave the farmyard beneath the Scots Pines. Cross the River Lugg and weir via Eaton Hall Bridge and the Millennium Gate.

4. Eaton Hall’s Seventeenth Century Stone Bridge. (The next three-quarters of a mile along the Lugg are a favoured place to spot a kingfisher). TL along the riverbank, soon using two stiles to keep to the edge. Skirt past an extravagant loop in the Lugg, cross stile by water’s edge and cross stile in left corner next to the bridge. (Favoured area for otters and hares).

5. Volca Bridge. TL through the gate across Volca Bridge. TR over three-plank f/bridge into field and follow L edge. Go through gap in L corner, cross stile into paddock, go through gap and out on to road via stile and three steps. TR and return along road to Stoke Prior village.