Beckford to Bredon - Via Overbury & Kemerton

Navigating The Route

This is a cycling Detective Mystery from Beckford to Bredon via Overbury and Kemerton, with Detectives helping a Chief crack the cold case of Ivor Castle, a wealthy Worcestershire landowner who mysteriously disappeared and was later found on Bredon Hill, by working out who committed the crime and what weapon was used.

The investigation covers 1.5 miles walking and 4.3 miles driving or cycling, and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll travel between Beckford, Overbury, Kemerton and Bredon, investigating village streets, churches and clues across this circular driving-and-walking Trail before finishing back at Beckford Village Hall.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route includes walking through villages and, at one point, a footpath with a kissing gate. There is no pavement on the lane after the church, so stay alert.

Cross roads carefully in several places, including by the post office and when returning to the village hall. On the lane section without a pavement, traffic may approach unexpectedly, so keep Mini Detectives close.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at Beckford Village Hall (GL20 7AA), using ///mashing.tailwind.recoup. Parking is recommended here, though there may be a small charge to park at the Hall. Alternatively, use on-street parking in the village centre, along Main Street; use the village centre if not parking at the Hall.

By public transport: Make your way to Beckford Village Hall (GL20 7AA) to begin the case. The circular driving-and-walking Trail finishes back at Beckford Village Hall.

Need the Loo?

Plan ahead, Detectives - there are no public toilets along this route, so it is worth making a comfort stop before the cold case gets moving.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome to join the investigation. 🐾

The route includes village walking, roads, a footpath with a kissing gate and a lane section with no pavement, so keep dogs close around traffic and take extra care where vehicles may approach unexpectedly.

Food & Drink Stops

Cold cases call for decent supplies. There are snack shops after Clues 03 and 18, and a couple of pubs in Bredon.

Beckford silk printing factory has tea rooms, and the Chief recommends bringing supplies for a car picnic too.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Beckford Silk Printing Factory

Beckford is known for its silk printing factory, which attracts tourists through its workshops and demonstrations. The silk factory also has tea rooms and is a short walk from the Post Office in the direction of Ashton under Hill - ideal if your Detectives need a civilised pause between pieces of evidence.

St Faith's Church, Overbury

The route visits St Faith's Church in Overbury, where three RAF people are commemorated who died between 1939 and 1945. The clues also lead past the churchyard gate and along the road beside the church, making it a thoughtful place to slow down during the investigation.

Bredon Hill

Bredon Hill lies within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At the summit are the remains of earthworks from an Iron Age hill fort known as Kemerton Camp and a small stone tower called Parsons Folly - a suitably atmospheric extra for Detectives with energy left after the case.