Hollybush, near Ledbury, Herefordshire

Gullet Quarry

Unusual place

Place photograph

5.8

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Dramatic

Feel

HillsWalkersPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

5.8

A disused quarry has become a striking pool beneath the Malvern Hills, where a short outing can lead into a much longer ridge-and-hillside walk.

Gullet Quarry pairs the raw shape of a flooded quarry with the rising ground of the Malvern Hills. Its appeal is not just the water: a nearby circular route climbs towards open views, with muddy paths and inclines to factor into your plans.

Dramatic · Wild

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Hollybush, near Ledbury, Herefordshire

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The experience

Come for the quarry setting, then use the nearby circular walk to explore the rising slopes and wider views. The water is visually striking, but swimming permission and safe access have not been confirmed: do not enter the water unless current local guidance explicitly permits it.

Things to do

Walk the Gullet Quarry circular

Explore the loop route around the quarry and nearby hills. The route listing gives a distance of 3.1 miles, an estimated time of 1.5–2 hours and 583 ft of elevation gain; check its map and conditions before relying on those details.

1.5–2 hours

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Under 1 hour

Quarry-side glimpse

01
Check current access and parking information before setting out.
02
Visit the accessible quarry-side area without crossing barriers or approaching unstable edges.
03
Take in the contrast between the water-filled quarry and the Malvern Hills above.

Half day · 1.5–2 hours

Gullet Quarry circular

01
Use the Gullet Quarry Circular route as a planning reference and check its current map and access conditions before starting.
02
Follow the loop for views of the quarry and the surrounding hills.
03
Allow extra time if paths are muddy or the inclines slow your progress.

Verified history

Gullet Quarry is described in supplied walking material as a disused or flooded former quarry. The sources provided do not establish its working history or closure date.

Hidden details

A quarry beneath the ridge — Look for the way the water-filled quarry sits below the rising Malvern hillside: the close contrast between a steep-sided hollow and open upland is the defining feature of this stop.

When to go

· Choose a clear day for hill views; no specific time of day is supported by the supplied sources.

The supplied information describes the wider Malvern Hills as walkable year-round, while noting that paths can be muddy, rocky or icy in winter. No quarry-specific seasonal wildlife or flowering highlights are verified.

Expect exposed or uneven walking on the hills; paths may be muddy, rocky or icy, especially in winter. Check conditions before setting off.

The route

ascent: 583 ft elevation gain
surface: Not specified; muddy paths are mentioned in route-review summaries.
distance: 3.1 miles
duration: 1.5–2 hours
difficulty: Listed as easy-going; inclines are noted. Check current route conditions.
route shape: Loop
start point: Gullet Quarry area; confirm the precise start against the current route map.
parking start: Hollybush car park is listed as a starting point for walks in the area; check current parking arrangements and charges.
shorter alternative: A brief quarry-side visit may suit visitors who do not want to complete the loop, but access and a safe stopping point are not confirmed.

Flooded former quarry
Views across the Malvern Hills
Hilly circular route

Worth pairing with

Hollybush and Midsummer Hill

A video route from Hollybush continues towards Midsummer Hill. Treat it as route inspiration rather than a current access guide, and check a map and local access information first.

Ruffz Refreshment Cabin

A walking guide lists this refreshment stop near Gullet Quarry and reports limited opening on some Sundays and bank holidays in good weather. Check before planning around it.

What to look for

Notice the steep quarry sides and the contrast between the water-filled hollow and the open hillside above. On a longer walk, look out for the changing views as the route climbs.

The story

Disused quarry

Best time to go

Spring to autumn for generally more comfortable walking; check path conditions before setting out.

Choose a clear, settled day for views across the hills. After rain, paths may be muddy; winter paths can be rocky or icy.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Hollybush, Ledbury HR8 1EU

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.0 · 69 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A flooded former quarry on the western slopes of the Malvern Hills. Access arrangements and any restrictions are not confirmed; check before visiting. Quarry edges and steep, uneven paths require care. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.

Check before visiting

Parking

Hollybush car park is identified as a starting point for nearby walks. Parking arrangements and charges: Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Ruffz Refreshment Cabin near Gullet Quarry is reported as opening on some Sundays and bank holidays in good weather; check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting. One route source advises keeping dogs on leads for much of the route because of quarry edges and livestock on the hillside.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The nearby circular route is described as easy-going but includes inclines; another guide describes the wider quarry-and-hills route as moderate. Expect uneven or muddy paths, and check current access and conditions.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Quarry pool