Lord Coventry's. 103 



blackthorn, which grows so freely in the coverts and 

 punishes hounds very severely. 



Worcester and its environs do most towards swelling 

 Lord Coventry's field. Malvern is more of a summer 

 resort than a hunting quarter. The little town of 

 Pershore is not far fi'om the centre of the Hunt and 

 only four or five miles from the Kennels. Worcester 

 is three hours from London (Paddington) ; and 

 Pershore^ being attainable only by a slower train, 

 requires about another half hour. Worcester has The 

 Worcestershire Kennels and country at hand : Per- 

 shore is within reach of The Warwickshire and The 

 North Cotswold. Between Worcester and the 

 Kennels at Croome, and along the north of the 

 country, is pleasant open ground of mixed grass and 

 plough ; and the same continues down the east bank 

 of the Severn to the junction of the rivers — improving 

 after it passes the Kennels, till the Strensham district 

 is looked upon as the best scenting ground in the 

 Hunt. There is nice fair hunting country again 

 between Worcester and Malvern about Bransford; 

 and again farther south near The Rydd. But this 

 side of the Severn is often very wet and deep. 

 Bredon Hill is rather a favourite place in the interests 

 of hounds; and its summit offers a scene quite 

 different from the rest of the country. There you 

 find yourself among heath and stonewalls; but it is 

 capital scenting ground, and its foxes are very strong, 

 often standing nearly two hours before hounds. From 

 the top you look down upon the Avon half embracing 

 the foot of the hill on the west ; while northward lies 

 a good vale, and a run from Cropthorne to Bredon 



