Starting point grid reference is 766381, in the Conservators car park on the edge of Castlemorton Common. Drive south from Welland crossroads and turning right just before reaching the Plume of Feathers. You can follow this walk with Ordnance Survey map no 190 1:25,000.
Turn left from the car park and when the road divides take the left fork (the right fork leads to Gullet Quarry) and begin to descend passing a house on the left. Cross the stream at the bottom of the slope and the road begins to climb. As it levels off and emerges to an open field on the left, notice Fairoaks Farm down to our left. Just before reaching a car parking area on the right, we fork right into the woods. There is a steep stepped path going off at right angles, but we go left of this, and take the sloping path (labelled Midsummer Hill ) heading diagonally up the slope. Climb up through the woods which are carpeted by bluebells in the spring. The clear path passes a gate and continues to climb. Reach the double embankments which surround the Iron Age hill fort on both Hollybush and Midsummer hills - dating from about 300BC. Just beyond the second of these we fork right, still following the path and begin to emerge from the woods. Before going ahead here it is worth making a slight detour to the left, to look over the flimsy wire fence into the very deep Hollybush Quarry - last worked in 1977.
After the detour, retrace to our path and continue to climb, passing the National Trust nameplate for Midsummer Hill. Emerge into an open grassland area of Hollybush Hill. To our left can be seen the hollow of a small valley beyond which is the steep wooded slope of Midsummer Hill. The valley was formed in softer rocks and younger rocks, (though still very old) than those that form Hollybush and Midsummer Hills. The hills are rocks of the Malvernian complex, a very mixed collection of igneous and metamorphic rocks - between 600 and 1000 million years old.
We keep straight ahead and descend slightly. At the bottom of the grassy area, the mound to the left of the path is the famous Pillow mound. This is not prehistoric, and probably an old rabbit warren, an important source of food. Excavations in this area in 1965-70 revealed that probably as many as 1500 people lived here about 2000 years ago.
Climb up towards the far left corner at northern end of the grassy area and then turn left following the path into the woods. Descend at first to cross the valley. (The path down to our left, which we are ignoring, leads to the springs and a major gateway into the old hill fort. It also leads to the
car park alongside the A438, the main road from Tewkesbury to Ledbury, at the top of Hollybush. The South Gate to the hill fort is down this valley, near the springs and the valuable water supply. Guard houses were positioned near this gate and evidence has been found of a paved route. Fragments of wood have been found close to the springs. This wood, probably remnants of a gate, has been dated at 400 BC.
Continue straight ahead and climb up through the woods, on to Midsummer Hill. Emerging from the woods, our onward route is to the right, but first turn left to walk up to the summit of Midsummer Hill (284m) and the small shelter - a memorial to record this gift to the National Trust in 1923.
Views from here are quite spectacular, with May Hill to the south, Cotswolds to the east and Eastnor castle and the hills of Herefordshire and Wales to the west. Eastnor Castle was built in 1812-1815, and down in the valley between Midsummer and Eastnor are the small remains of Bronsil castle, built in the 15th century and formerly the home of Lord Beauchamp.
Turn round to retrace steps to continue the walk and enjoy the views along the Malvern ridge and to the hills of Shropshire. Follow the path northwards, passing the route where we came up from the right. Notice the view to the Herefordshire Beacon, another Iron Age hill fort. One wonders why there are two hill forts so close together. Descend through the northern gate of the hill fort, past the National Trust sign for Midsummer Hill and look for the views to Gullet Quarry down to our right. The path begins to bend to the left, passing through bluebells in spring and then bracken later in the year. Reach a broad stony track where we turn right and to our right is Midsummer Cottage down in the hollow, and the Eastnor Obelisk is to our left. It was erected in 1812 and stands 90ft high. Built of Cotswold limestone it's a memorial to the son of the 1st Lord Somers - who had just died in the Peninsular War.
We reach a major crossing of paths, where the gate to Eastnor is on our left, and straight ahead is the path northwards towards Swinyard Hill and the Herefordshire Beacon. We will turn right here and descend the stony and often muddy track down the Gullet, with woods on both sides. Near the bottom, fork left to the quarry, with its dramatic lake and steep back wall. Walk alongside the lake to reach the informative notice board giving details of the geology. Continue along the narrow road to pass a couple of houses and arrive at the edge of Castlemorton Common and our starting point.