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Stop by: The pretty town of Ombersley has some fine houses and plenty of pubs, too.

THE length and complexity of this walk leave no space for any background information - but it's a good one, with far-reaching views and some surprises.

1 Join the Wychavon Way, leaving the High Street by the King's Arms. Cross the A449 to rejoin the path on the other side. Walk across three fields to the right-hand corner of a wood. Turn right along its edge and continue straight on at the next corner of the wood, along the left edge of a field. Skirt round Orchard Cottage and proceed to the A4133. Cross over and turn right, then left on a lane to Hadley.

2 Turn right on a no through road' soon after Shoulstones Farm. Ignore branching paths, staying on the Wychavon Way, which is joined by the Monarch's Way near Nunnery Wood. Walk through woodland, fields and an industrial estate before turning right along Doverdale Lane. Approaching the A442 at Hampton Lovett, fork left, then cross the road and go straight on to St Mary's Church.

3 Turn left through the churchyard, leaving the Wychavon Way but staying on the Monarch's Way. Pass under a railway into a field. Go diagonally left towards the taller of two houses. Pass to the left of it and continue to a T-junction. Turn left, and soon right, along a field-edge path just before the railway. Go diagonally right across a second field, to a footbridge near the far corner. Leave the Monarch's Way and go roughly straight across the next field, to a stile near a house. Walk through trees to a lane (Broad Alley).

4 Turn right, then first left on a footpath. Go diagonally to the far right corner of a field, through a gate then along a fenced path. Turn left through apple orchards to a lane. Turn left, then take the first path on the right into another orchard. Walk straight across beside a line of birches and conifers. Turn left at the far side. After 200m, start looking for a concealed stile on the right. Walk down the edge of a wood into a field. Go diagonally left to a small, fenced field then diagonally left again to the top corner. Turn left along a track. Ignore branching paths and continue straight on at a junction, across Bryan's Green (access land).

5 Turn right to Cutnall Green, left by the A442 then right on a lane (New Road) which runs past the village shop and then bends left. Join a footpath on the left after 700m and walk to another lane. Cross to a path a little to the left. Go diagonally left across a field, straight towards Horton Lane, which you can see climbing uphill across a valley. Cross the railway and go diagonally right through a garden, crossing the driveway to a footbridge. Turn left to Horton Lane and walk uphill.

6 Join a path on the right at Little Horton Farm, passing to the left of a garage to enter a field. Go down the right-hand edge, through a gate and left along the edge of the next field. Cross a seriously overgrown stile (until this is attended to you might need to avoid it by walking through the field on the left). Go straight on along the left edge of the next field, across an overgrown footbridge and then through woodland, to the right of a pool. Turn left through a field, still close to the pool, then enter another field. Go diagonally right to a gate and proceed through the next field to New Road. Turn left to Doverdale.

7 A footpath opposite is completely blocked so turn left instead, then right, towards St Mary's Church. Go into the churchyard then leave it at a stile and go diagonally left across a field to an overgrown stile. Turn right along a track and take the second path on the left. Follow the right-hand field edge until the hedge moves away then continue straight on and through a gap. Walk along the left edge of a willow plantation then beside a brook until you can cross it at a bridge. Turn left through woodland to a field. Turn right, looking for a narrow gap in the hedge after 200m. Cross an inadequate footbridge then go straight on along a track.

There may still be a sunflower or two at Elmbridge Fruit Farm.

8 Turn left at a T-junction. Keep roughly straight on along the main track at all subsequent junctions, ignoring field tracks and heading towards the traffic noise. Turn left after passing two cottages, walk along the edge of a lawn, cross a footbridge and straight on along a field edge. Cross a track to a seriously overgrown stile opposite. Walk across another field to a track. Turn right to the A449 and cross to a lane opposite. Turn left after 700m and walk through two fields to another lane. Turn right, then left. Go straight on at a junction, along a no through road'. Take the next left to Ombersley.

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.

FACTFILE Start: Ombersley, grid ref SO844634.

Length: 12 miles/19km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landrangers 139/150.

Terrain: Farmland, orchards, no real hills.

Footpaths: Most are excellent, following recent improvements, but others require attention. Some are slightly overgrown by nettles, while some stiles are very seriously overgrown by nettles, brambles and hedges. A few stiles and one footbridge need repairing or replacing.

Stiles: 28.

Parking: Ombersley.

Buses: First 300/303, daily; Traveline 0870 608 2608 or www.worcestershire. gov.uk/bustimetables Refreshments: Ombersley, Cutnall Green, Oldfield, Uphampton.

12:08pm Saturday 7th October 2006

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