Hidden in rural Worcestershire is a sleepy village with gorgeous countryside winter walks at every turn. Despite being tiny, Martley has reared some big celebrity names at its local school.
For among the dreamy views of the Teme Valley is where Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington, chef Nigel Slater and ex London Irish rugby player Luke Narraway all studied as schoolboys. They were pupils at the Chantry High School in the heart of the village, behind the Rectory and next to its only leisure centre.
Ramblers still make a bee-line for Martley as they know its beautiful secret. Located on the Worcestershire Way loop, it's also part of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark and even the council says it has "some of the best countryside in Worcestershire".
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Close to the River Teme, where sheep graze lazily day and night, it's just big enough to have a post office, garage, cricket club and memorial hall. The once popular pub The Crown used to be a good pit-stop but that has now closed to make way for a new development.
Spring and Summer bring blossom and blue skies but Autumn and Winter have their own frosty delights as fields turn white to add an edginess to the unparalleled views. The word seems to have got out with new housing estates popping up around the village.
Walks with 'some of the best countryside in Worcestershire'
Ramblers rave about walks in Martley as "peaceful" and "beautiful". The circular walk is just over six miles and is marked out with buzzard signs, plus there are noticeboards with maps of the walks in the village.
The route is also in a leaflet on the Worcestershire County Council website here. The council described it as "lovely" adding that it takes a path through the Teme Valley along with "traditional orchards, pastures and ancient woodlands with spectacular views across some of the best countryside in Worcestershire, taking in part of the Worcestershire Way".
There's also Martley Rock to explore, which boasts some of the oldest rocks in England dating back 700 million years. There are even magma chambers deep underground at the site.
Sleepy village life
A local I spoke to had lived in Martley all her life and she was in her 60s. "I've never wanted to leave this village," she told me. "It's just lovely with beautiful scenery and it's home, although we could do with a village pub."
Noticeboards advertise talks at the village hall on growing your own orchids and special flower displays in the church. Walking maps and leaflets fill much of the boards opposite the local shop and post office at the junction with B4204 road to Worcester.
It's easy to spot as it is next to an old phone box that's been painted bright green and now contains a defibrillator. Take a look around the village in the photo gallery below.
Pub food around the village
On the edge of the village at Berrow Green, stands The Rodney - a refurbished 17th Century inn with rooms and serving food. It's open for dinner from 6pm from Tuesday to Saturday and for Sunday lunch from midday to 3pm. The bar is usually open for drinks from 3pm.
Dishes range from a starter of Creamed Garlic Mushrooms with toasted sourdough bread for £7 to Steak and Ale Pie or Chicken and Mushroom Pie with chips, peas, and gravy for £16. Other mains for £16 include Spicy Butter Chicken Curry with rice, mango chutney and a poppadum or Battered Cod and Chips with mushy peas and homemade tartar sauce.
Neil Martin is a fan and said: "I like this pub. Great in the winter. Typical country pub." Zarina Shaikh added: "The location is wonderful being a combination of countryside and not too far from the city. The morning sunrise is a joy as are the cooing owls at night."
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On the B4204 outside the village is another country pub, The Mason's Arms at Wichenford, which is close to Thai restaurant Chim Doo Thai. The Mason's Arms is dog-friendly and offers Thursday pizza nights, Sunday roasts and more.
Matt Blakeman gave the pub a five-star review on Google adding: "This place is fantastic. The decor is awesome as a proper country pub. I especially liked the chalkboard drinks lists on the beams to help take out the panic choice when you get to the bar."
House prices in Martley
The village is a popular place to live with house prices surging 36% in the past year compared to the previous 12 months. The overall average price of a property in Martley is currently £542,750, according to Rightmove.
There's quite a difference in price depending on the type of home you own. Most sold in the past year were detached houses that fetched an average £698,750. Yet there are also semi-detached properties that sell for a more affordable price of £230,750 on average.
Celebrity connections to Martley
Harington, 36, famous for roles including Jon Snow in Game of Thrones and Black Knight in Eternals, was 11-years-old when his family moved to Whitbourne village in Worcestershire. He then started going to Martley's Chantry High School, where he stayed until 2003. He also worked in his local, The Talbot pub at Knightwick, which you can read about here.
Chef and presenter Nigel Slater, 67, has reminisced on his school life in Martley. Although Wolverhampton-born, Slater moved to Worcestershire in his teens and recalled how he was one of only two boys at Chantry School at the time to do Cookery as an O-Level.
Coach and former Rugby Union player Luke Narraway, now 40, spent three years at Chantry High School. There from 1995 to 1998, he then left to go to King's School in Worcester.
