Newnham perches on the west bank of the river Severn directly opposite the Arlingham peninsula, which is enclosed on three sides by a massive loop of the river.

Many of the residents of the village’s beautiful Georgian houses must have spectacular views from their first-floor windows.

Even better views of the Severn are to be had by climbing uphill to Blaize Bailey in the Forest of Dean, – with the finest panorama of all coming towards the end of the walk, on the descent from Dean Hill.

However, it’s not just about the river, this is also a magnificent walk for any tree lover.

Though much of the route is within the Forest of Dean, the most impressive trees are to be found outside the forest, alongside the paths linking it with Newnham.

The show starts before you even leave the village, with some huge horse chestnuts on The Green. A little further on, in the meadows beneath Blaize Bailey, there are two remarkable small-leaved limes.

Towards the end of the walk, descending towards Stuare Farm, you’ll surely notice an ancient sweet chestnut in the adjoining field – but if you look well beyond it, to the far hedge, you’ll also see a stupendous oak, one of the very largest and finest trees in Gloucestershire.

FACTFILE

Start Newnham, on the A48 south-west of Gloucester; grid ref SO692120.

Length 7 miles/11km.

Maps OS Explorer OL14, OS Landranger 162.

Terrain Woods and meadows, moderately hilly.

Footpaths Mostly excellent, except that waymarking is patchy and there are a couple of dodgy stiles, plus slight overgrowth in places.

Stiles 13.

Parking Car park at northern end of village.

Public transport Train or bus to Gloucester (377 from Malvern on Saturdays only, or change at Upton-upon-Severn, Ledbury or Hereford, which all have good services to Gloucester) then Stagecoach 23, Gloucester to Coleford via Newnham, daily; gloucestershire.gov.uk, firstgreatwestern.co.uk, Traveline 0871 200 2233, National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950.

Refreshments Newnham has pubs and cafés, and there is also a lovely café at Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley.

DIRECTIONS

1 Take Church Road to St Peters Church, then cross the main road to a lane called The Green. After a few metres, go left to take a path which runs round the outer edge of an earthwork. Rejoin the lane at the far end of the earthwork but immediately turn left on a footpath. Walk through a meadow and cross the railway at a bridge. Go diagonally left across another meadow on a well-trodden path to a stile, beyond which the path divides. Turn left across another meadow, and another stile, then turn right along the edge of an arable field. Continue in the same direction to the corner of Bessys Wood.

2 Go diagonally left across a meadow then walk along the edge of Long Wood, soon turning right to climb uphill. Go straight on through another meadow, pass left of a barn, then turn right to join a track which leads to a derelict cottage. Pass to the left of this then continue past ruinous farm buildings at Blaize Bailey to enter the Forest of Dean. Keep straight on at a crosspath, climb to a T-junction and turn left on a track. Keep straight on at the next junction then fork right at another, on the higher of two paths. Keep to this path at subsequent junctions, until eventually it swings right to a T-junction. Turn left on a track and ignore branching paths until the track turns sharp right below pine trees.

3 Leave the track and go straight on along a path to find a waymarked junction under a yew tree. Turn sharp right, shortly cross a track and keep straight on, descending on a fairly faint path, first through bracken and then through a beechwood. Meeting a track by another yew tree, turn left, then go to the right after a few paces, leaving the wood at a gate. Go diagonally left down a meadow and then to the left of cottages to meet a track. Turn right, walking through a valley to meet a road. Keep going in the same direction, soon passing Dean Heritage Centre.

4 Go into Soudley Ponds Nature Reserve on the right. Walk to the right of the ponds and continue in the same direction until you reach a car park. Turn right, past a numbered post (8) and a vehicle barrier, then first left, following waymarks. Go to the far end of the wood then turn right, climbing eventually to a junction below a house. Turn left, pass left of the house then left along a track to a lane and left again. After a short distance take a path on the right which runs parallel with the lane. When you rejoin the lane, continue in the same direction, ignore a footpath branching right, proceed to a lane junction and turn right.

5 Take a paved path on the left, running along the edge of a meadow parallel with the lane. When a gate allows a return to the lane go diagonally left instead, down to another gate. Skirt to the left of farm buildings then cross a farm track into a dairy pasture and go to the far right corner. Keep straight on, as waymarked, quite soon crossing a decrepit stile to another field. Go diagonally left, passing farm buildings and going to the left of a bungalow, then straight on downhill. Cross Whetstones Brook then go diagonally left to a gate in a field corner (which you won’t see until you’ve reached the top of a slope) then left across an arable field on a good path. Turn right on a driveway then right at a lane. Descend to Newnham.