The walk takes you past Martin Hussingtree church where there is a memorial to organist Thomas Tomkyns.

THERE'S lots of interest on this walk close to the northern edge of Worcester. For instance, 18th Century Lower Smite Farm is the headquarters of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

The adjoining 152 acres of farmland is managed with wildlife-friendly techniques and there's a nature trail featuring ponds and orchards. You can also visit a 17th Century timber-framed granary which was restored in 2004.

At Martin Hussingtree the partly-Norman church has some interesting memorials, including one to Thomas Tomkyns, 1596-1649, composer and Worcester Cathedral organist, who is buried in the churchyard.

Hindlip Hall was built in the 1820s, on the site of an earlier house which once belonged to John Habington, treasurer to Elizabeth I and the Queen was a guest there in 1575.

The Habingtons were Roman Catholics in an age when it was better to be a Protestant.

John Habington served the Queen faithfully but his sons Edward and Thomas were involved in the Babington Plot, a Catholic conspiracy to replace Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots.

The plot was discovered and Edward was beheaded but Thomas was pardoned, only to be associated with the Gunpowder Plot to kill Elizabeth's successor James I, in 1605, but once again, he got away with it. Today, Hindlip Hall is headquarters to the forces of law and order in the form of West Mercia Constabulary.

FACTFILE

Mute swans at Porter's Mill

Start: Station Road, Fernhill Heath, grid ref SO870592.

Length: 8 miles/13.5km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: Mainly pasture, with some arable and woodland. Two minor slopes but no real hills.

Footpaths: Mostly excellent.

Stiles: 26.

Parking: Near the railway footbridge on Station Road, or at some suitable point by the A38 or A4538.

Buses: First 144, from every 20 minutes on weekdays, hourly on Sundays; Traveline 0870 608 2608 or www.worcestershire.gov.uk/bustimetables Refreshments: None.

DIRECTIONS

1 Walk north along Station Road, ignoring the path which leaves the road at the railway footbridge. Take the next path on the right, at Acorn Farm, and follow it to Martin Hussingtree. Walk through the churchyard and into a field where two paths are waymarked. Take the left-hand one, which goes diagonally across fields to meet the A38 at a very wide grass verge.

2 Cross the A38 to a bridleway and two footpaths. Take the right-hand path, following a fence and subsequent hedge before bearing left to a stile. Proceed to a hedge gap giving access to a large field. Walk the length of the field to woodland at the far side. Go straight on through the trees, across a road and straight on to another junction. Turn left towards Hindlip Hall.

3 Turn left after passing Hindlip church, then right. Turn right at another junction, go through a car park and turn left, then right, towards the Firearms School. Turn right at a road junction then soon left into a sloping field. If you have a dog it must be on a lead as this area is used for training police dogs. Descend the slope then go straight on along the edge of woodland to Hindlip Lane.

4 Turn left to Pershore Lane (A4538) and turn right on the verge. Cross over after 100m to find two footpaths. Take the left-hand one, by a field edge. Go diagonally left in the next field towards farm buildings. Pass to the left of them on a muddy track to Smite Lane. Turn left past Upper Smite Farm.

Approaching Lower Smite Farm, you'll see a green, red and yellow waymark on the right, indicating a nature trail. Investigate this if you wish and then return to the lane. You'll soon pass the farmhouse and it's worth taking a path on the left to see the granary before continuing up the lane.

5 Join a path on the right. Turn left uphill and walk to a lane, Brownheath Road. Turn right. After 900m you'll see a bridleway on the left. This is your onward route, but you might first like to continue a little further to Brownheath Common. This little-known area is mainly woodland, with a few paths. It was confirmed as access land under the 2000 Countryside and Rights of Way Act, so it's a little surprising to find areas of it fenced off. Return to the bridleway and go straight across a small field. Bear right across a second field to the corner of a wood. Walk through the wood then turn left at the far side, along two field edges to a junction with a footpath. Turn right to join a footpath after 200m, following field edges to Pershore Lane.

6 Cross over and turn right, then left on a path to the A38. Cross over and turn left to join Church Lane. Shortly turn right on Strand Lane, then take the first path on the right, at Oaktrees Farm. Walk straight through two fields then turn left as you enter a third field, just after a pond. Cross the railway and three more fields to lane. Turn left, then right at Knoll Farm. Follow waymarks through paddocks and across a field, keeping straight on at a cross-path.

7 Turn left at the Droitwich Canal and cross a bridge to join the towpath. Turn left, and then left at a T-junction at Porter's Mill, crossing the canal and joining a bridleway (Monarch's Way). Turn right at a road junction, past Eden Lodge, then take the second path on the left, just after Lower Town Farm. Walk past gardens to a field then turn right along the edge. Turn left at the road. After 400m take a footpath on the left just before a road junction and walk through fields to Station Road.

PLEASE NOTE This walk has been carefully checked and the directions are believed to be accurate at the time of publication. No responsibility is accepted by either the author or publisher for errors or omissions, or for any loss, accident or injury, however caused.

10:02am Saturday 9th December 2006

Lower Smite Farm, which is the headquarters of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

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