IT is sometimes called the Golden Triangle: a swathe of countryside in south Herefordshire and north Gloucestershire, between Much Marcle and Huntley, which is nationally famous for the wild daffodils which still flourish in its woods and hedgerows.

We'll have to wait until February or March to admire those, but it has another claim to fame, which we can enjoy now: its apple orchards.

That might sound rather mundane, but the English apple orchard is now an endangered species, thanks to the large-scale introduction of imported apples into supermarkets.

Only 10 years ago there were still 900 apple growers in the UK: today, there are just 200.

In recent years an attempt has been made to raise the profile of English apples by staging celebratory ''apple days'' in May and October.

The Herefordshire events are known collectively as the Big Apple, with blossom time celebrated at Putley and harvest time at Much Marcle.

Now nearby Oxenhall, just across the Gloucestershire border, and better known for its daffodil weekends in the spring, is having its own apple day tomorrow from 11am to 5pm. This is based at Oxenhall parish hall, which is only 200m from the route of this week's walk.

There will be various apple-themed events, including orchard walks, talks, exhibitions, stalls, games and activities for children. Best of all, lots of locally grown apple-based food and drink will be available for sampling and for sale.

If you can support the local growers by joining in the fun, so much the better. If you just want to enjoy the walk, it's a good one, passing through extensive orchards.

It also provides the opportunity to explore part of a long-disused canal, which is being restored by the Hereford and Gloucester Canal Trust.

The Trust is ambitiously hoping to restore the full 34 miles of the canal from the River Severn at Gloucester, via Newent and Ledbury, to the centre of Hereford.

You'll pass sections of canal, some with water, some without, and also Lock Cottage, beautifully restored in 1996. Like neighbouring House Lock (still being carefully rebuilt), it is a Grade II Listed Building. Consult the information boards on the site to find out more.

DIRECTIONS

Join Watery Lane, which leaves High Street near the library (which is opposite the bus stop and car park). Turn first right on Holts Road and right again at the next junction. Walk to the main road (B4221) and cross over to go along Horsefair Lane.

Take the first path on the right, between The Willows Nursery and Horsefair Wharf. Walk to the canal, cross a footbridge and join the towpath.

When you reach a lane, a short detour to the left will take you to Oxenhall. Otherwise, cross the lane to continue on the towpath.

After passing under Cold Harbour Bridge, go up to a lane and turn left. The lane climbs uphill then bends right: join a footpath on the left here. Keep to the right-hand edge through three fields then walk up the left-hand edge of an apple orchard to the top corner.

Continue by the left-hand edge of a field for a while before heading towards a farm. Pass to the right of a breeze-block building then follow a track to a lane.

Turn right, right again at a T-junction and right a third time at a footpath sign. Walk down the right-hand edge of an apple orchard to a pool then head uphill between rows of pear trees, aiming for a large sycamore at the top.

Climb over a gate below the sycamore then turn left by a field edge (the right of way goes diagonally across but is currently over-cropped) until you can join a road by the entrance to Parks Farm Nurseries.

Cross to Birches Lane and walk to Botloe's Green. Turn right, signed The Scarr, right again and then immediately left on a footpath at a pair of gates. The path leads into a field and you keep straight on, by several field edges and by woodland edge, to meet a lane.

Turn left then join a field path on the right. Turn right, beside the hedge. When the hedge turns right, keep straight on to a pair of squeeze stiles giving access to another field. Proceed in the same direction to a lane.

Turn right and walk to a junction. Join a lane opposite, called The Scarr. Turn left at the next junction and then quite soon right on Three Ashes Lane. When a footpath crosses the lane turn left, crossing two fields to another lane.

Turn right, then left on a track. Follow this to a road junction and cross to a footpath almost opposite, to the right of houses. The path descends to cross Ell Brook and then leads to a road. Continue opposite, walking to Court Road and then turning right into the woodland surrounding Newent Lake. A path leads to the lake and then encircles it - go either left or right to Newent.

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 either the author or publisher for errors or omissions, or for any loss or injury, however caused.

FACTFILE

Start: High Street (B4216), Newent, grid reference SO721260.

Length: 6 miles/9.6km.

Maps: OS Explorer OL14, OS Landrangers 149/150/162.

Terrain: gently undulating farmland, including orchards.

Paths: mostly excellent.

Stiles: 19.

Parking: car park off Newent High Street.

Public transport: various options Mon-Sat but much the fastest way is by train to Ledbury then Stagecoach bus 132 to Newent; on Sundays go by bus to either Hereford (420) or Gloucester (372) then take the 32/38 to Newent; call Traveline on 0870 608 2608 or try the far better information services provided by Herefordshire Council on 01432 260211, or Gloucestershire County Council on 01452 425543 (24 hours); or visit www.traveline.org.uk or the excellent www.herefordshire-buses.tbctimes.com

Refreshments: Newent - and Oxenhall too on 19 October only.