Pretty black-and-white Lower Brockhampton.

The beautiful Brockhampton estate can trace its origins back to the Domesday Book (1086) when it was already a working farm.

In 1946 it was bequeathed to the National Trust, which farms it in a traditional and environmentally friendly style.

The estate also comprises woodland and parkland where the trust has created four waymarked trails: Ash Walk (blue arrows, 1 mile); Holly Walk (red arrows, 1 miles); Beech Walk (yellow arrows, 2 miles) and Oak Walk (green arrows, 4 miles).

Between them, these walks include some of the finest features of the estate, from ancient woodland with beeches and 500-year-old oaks, to rolling parkland with magnificent limes, oaks and sweet chestnuts.

There are also steeply plunging dingles, a reed-fringed pool, views across Herefordshire to the distant Clee Hills and an assortment of entertaining wooden sculptures.

The route described below is basically the Oak Walk, but it also incorporates parts of the others so that it includes all the best features of the estate.

To make them easy to follow, the paths are referred to in the directions below by the colours with which the trust has waymarked them. All are waymarked at regular intervals, but in one direction only.

As far as this walk is concerned, that means the green route is very easily followed, but a little more care is needed when deviating from it as you will be following parts of the other routes against the direction of the waymarking.

Brockhampton Chapel is a great place to visit.

You can, of course, choose any other available paths. See the map in Brockhampton Wood for ideas.

As an optional extra, Lower Brockhampton, an idyllic 14th-century moated manor house with a charming gatehouse, is reached by a detour from the walk (see point two). It's open from March to November, noon-5pm (4pm in November). To complete a delightful day out, there's also the chance to explore Bringsty Common.

DIRECTIONS

1 If starting from the A44, take a path along the edge of Bringsty Common, beside the stone wall enclosing Brockhampton Estate. Turn left on meeting a track (which goes to Hollybank car park) and go through a gate in the wall. Turn right at two junctions, marked by coloured arrows. Keep straight on at another junction to find an information board and map. If you use the Hollybank car park you will join the route at this point. Simply follow the Oak Walk now - the route marked by green arrows - which takes you through woodland and down into a dingle. Waymarking is present at every junction except for one where a side path branches left and you can see a pile of logs ahead. Keep straight on, towards the logs. Turn right to cross a brook and you'll see a green arrow confirming you're on the right path.

2 The path climbs to meet the driveway to Lower Brockhampton. You can see the house to the right, down in a valley, and may wish to visit it (Wednesday to Sunday, afternoons only). This will add less than three-quarters of a mile to your walk. Otherwise, turn left, still on the green route, which leads through parkland, and is soon joined by the yellow route (Beech Walk), so that you're following both green and yellow arrows.

3 Turn left at a sign for car park, tea room and toilets, then turn right to go through a gate in a wall. Turn left, and after passing Brockhampton Chapel, take a well-trodden path across parkland. Don't be confused by a stile marked only by a yellow arrow - you are still on the green route, as confirmed by a green arrow a little further on.

4 Re-enter woodland by Lawn Pool and leave the green route. Go straight on past the pool, fork right at the far end, then turn left by a tree daubed with faded red and blue arrows. Follow a brook through woodland, then descend steps, cross the brook and climb to a T-junction. Turn right and follow the other side of the brook until you can re-cross it next to a sculpture of a horse. Climb to a cross-path and go straight on. Turn right when you meet the green route again, but at the next junction keep straight on along the blue route instead, returning to Lawn Pool. Turn left to the edge of the wood, then left again, rejoining the green route. Walk to the far side of the wood and turn right to return to the start. You might now want to explore Bringsty Common too, even if you only go as far as the summit to enjoy the panoramic views. To do this, stay on the Brockhampton side of the A44 at first, taking a path which passes Park Farm to meet the road. Cross to another path opposite and turn left to the summit, marked by a distinctive crown of trees. Return the same way or by any other suitable route.

FACT FILE

Start: The south-eastern corner of Brockhampton Estate, at the far side of Bringsty Common, on the north side of the A44, grid ref SO694548.

Length: Variable, up to about 5 miles/8.8km.

Maps: OS Explorer 202, OS Landranger 149.

Terrain: Woodland and parkland; moderately hilly, steep in places, slippery after rain.

Footpaths: Excellent.

Stiles: Three (between Brockhampton Chapel and Lawn Pool).

Parking: Beside the road, by the wall enclosing Brockhampton Estate (alternatively, Hollybank car park, reached by a track at the edge of Bringsty Common, or the main car park near Brockhampton Chapel).

Buses: Worcester-Hereford 420, daily; www.herefordbus.info or Worcestershire Hub 01905 765765.

Refreshments: The Old Apple Store Tea Room near Brockhampton Chapel, Wednesday to Sunday afternoons, March to November. The Live and Let Live is a short walk away on Bringsty Common.

10:45am Monday 14th April 2008

Beeches and bluebells in Brockhampton Wood.

Sculpture of a horse in the woods.

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