This walk got off to an encouraging start, with the footpaths heading north from Leigh Sinton proving to be the very model of what cross-field paths should be.

Typically, it was too good to last and plans to include the lovely countryside around Coles Green and Sandlin had to be abandoned because too many paths proved to be either difficult or impossible.

Perhaps there will come a time when they are walkable (complaints should be addressed to the Rights of Way Officer at County Hall, by the way), but don't hold your breath.

In the meantime, enjoy this walk. It isn't what was planned, but it does include a beautiful stretch of the valley of Leigh Brook, with unexpectedly steep slopes and enticing views.

Leigh village has a fine group of mediaeval buildings, including a timber-framed tithe barn at Leigh Court. The barn is an awesome structure built in the 14th Century for the monks of Pershore Abbey.

It is the largest of its kind in Britain and it is said that an acre of tiles was required for the roof.

The barn was restored by English Heritage in the 1980s and is open from 10am until 6pm, Thursdays to Sundays, April to October.

DIRECTIONS

Take Sherridge Road, which is roughly opposite the shop. After 350m, take a footpath on the right, next to a bridleway. The path cuts a swathe through a cereal crop then runs along the edge of a copse.

Cross a footbridge and go straight on along a field edge. Turn right at the far side, ignoring a path branching left. There are two gaps in the hedge in the next corner - take the right-hand one and continue in the same direction.

Pass a copse and turn left to stay by the field edge, then go right in the next corner. Ignore all stiles and branching paths and keep going across the field, soon moving away from the hedge.

Pass a tree-covered mound (the site of a medieval castle) and continue across the field to the far side. Cross a track and head towards a wood. Go into the wood and bear left, then left again at the next junction.

You'll soon see a stile at the edge of the wood - turn left just before

you reach it, following another path to another stile. Cross this and turn left along the edge of a golf course to a hedge gap. Go through a gate and take a path which runs to the right of a fence, then past houses to Suckley Road.

Turn left then take a footpath after Rose Cottage. Follow a field edge to a corner, where there are two gaps in the hedge. Take the left-hand one and turn right to an overgrown stile into a meadow - proceed by the right-hand hedge.

Climb over a gate in the corner and turn left to another corner. There should be a way through here, but there isn't, so turn right until you find a gap in the hedge and then go left.

When you reach the field corner, fight through overgrowth to a stile and then through more overgrowth on the other side. Turn right to a gate then go diagonally downhill towards Leigh Church.

Turn left along a lane, taking care on a dangerous bend. Take the first footpath on the left after Leigh Brook, walking along a private drive then to the right of The Barn to find a narrow field.

Follow the right-hand edge to a stile and go straight on along another two field edges to reach a pair of stiles. Go left, steeply downhill, and then cross a stile at the bottom on the right.

Head towards the far side of a long meadow bordering Leigh Brook, then turn left on a track. Cross Leigh Brook at a footbridge then go through a meadow to rejoin the track. Walk to Suckley Road and turn left.

Cross to a path off Sherridge Road, going past The Old Chapel into a field and then forward on an excellent path. When it forks go right. Keep straight on past an orchard and continue to a hedge. Cross a stile to meet your outward route.

Go straight on across a field. At the far side turn right a few paces to find a place where you can pass through a line of trees, then cross a narrow field to meet a hedge. Walk to the right of it, going straight on at a junction and at a subsequent hedge corner to eventually reach a stile.

Cross a bridleway and another stile and continue across a field to the far hedge. Turn right, following the hedge round the outer perimeter of a hopyard to meet a track. Turn right, then shortly cross a stile to a field. Aim

for the right-hand hedge corner ahead before following the hedge to Leigh Sinton.

Turn right for the shop or bus stop, left for the pub or layby.

Factfile

Start: Leigh Sinton, SW of Worcester on A4103; grid reference SO780509.

Length: 4 miles/7.2km (more if you park at the layby).

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: mixed farmland; gentle except for one very steep descent. Many footpaths are excellent, but others are overgrown (beware nettles) and/or overcropped.

Stiles: 15, and a locked gate.

Parking: you may be able to find a space in the village or you could ask at the pub. Alternatively, there is a lay-by on the left as you approach from Worcester, about 500m before Sherridge Road (see map).

Buses: Bromyard Omnibus Co 417, Mondays to Saturdays, stopping at the shop, almost opposite Sherridge Road. Traveline 0870 608 2608.

Refreshments: shop and pub (Royal Oak on Malvern Road).

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