Poets' Footsteps: Literary Walks in Herefordshire

Literary walks are currently underway as part of the Ledbury Poetry Festival, an event noted as one of the "joint oldest" in the UK. The festival commenced on Friday and is scheduled to conclude on July 5, 2026.

University of Worcester Journalism lecturer Dan Johnson is guiding two distinct walks. The first, on June 30, 2026, will delve into the life and works of poet John Masefield. Subsequently, on July 1, 2026, a walk will focus on Elizabeth Barrett-Browning. Johnson expressed that his aim is to combine his passion for walking, storytelling, and literature, finding that others also appreciate this experiential approach.

Johnson, who frequently leads literary walks on the Malvern Hills, emphasized the immersive nature of these guided tours. He explained that participants do more than simply observe a landscape; they actively trace the paths of poets and discover how specific locations influenced their creative output. His goal is for attendees to gain knowledge about these regional literary figures while enjoying a walk, fostering a social, engaging, and distinctive experience compared to conventional talks.