THE weather may have changed by the time you read this but, at the time of writing, the rain has been falling for weeks and shows no sign of relenting.

So here's a city walk which provides fresh air and exercise without oceans of mud.

There's an optional extension which turns it into a country walk (almost).

You can join the walk wherever is most convenient but this description begins at The Cross, which was for many centuries regarded as the geographical and commercial centre of Worcester.

There is so much of interest along the way - near the start of the walk, for instance, look above the modern shopfronts to the upper storeys of Broad Street's fine Georgian buildings. Number 61 is particularly interesting, with intriguing gargoyles and an unusual dome.

From Broad Street, it's a pleasant walk by river and canal, through Diglis Basin and past the Commandery, to Fort Royal Park, where you can see the outline of fortifications built in 1651. Below the park runs London Road, which was turnpiked in the 18th century, stimulating the development of prosperous residential suburbs. Just across London Road is Battenhall Road, which was built in 1863, although there was a settlement at Battenhall in Saxon times.

At Upper Battenhall you can admire a mediaeval timber-framed farmhouse, while mediaeval farm buildings at Middle Battenhall have been converted into homes.

Nearby you'll see the earthworks of a mediaeval manorial site - look for it immediately after passing under the railway on the longer route.

Trees obscure part of the site, which is bounded by Duck Brook, acting almost as a natural moat. The earthworks are not very well-defined but they are extensive, covering much of the area enclosed between the two footpaths on the extended route.

DIRECTIONS

Walk down Broad Street and Bridge Street towards the Severn. Turn left along South Quay to Diglis Bottom Lock. Leave the river and follow the canal towpath to Top Lock then turn right past the lock-keeper's house to walk round the basin. Cross two footbridges and pass Grist Mill Boatyard before turning left to rejoin the towpath.

Pass Sidbury Lock and the Commandery then leave the towpath at Blockhouse Lock. Go through an open gateway, turn right, then left on Park Street. Cross Wylds Lane and keep straight on up Fort Royal Hill until you can turn right into Fort Royal Park.

Walk to the highest point then bear left towards the Little Sauce Factory. Join London Road and turn left for a little way before crossing to Battenhall Road. Walk to the very end of the road, emerging in grassland around Duck Brook in St Peter's.

For the main walk turn left here (see below for the extension) and go under the railway on a track, Red Hill Lane, which leads to what used to be Middle Battenhall Farm. The track then turns left, climbing to London Road.

When you're almost at the top, turn left on a passageway which runs to Cromwell Crescent. Turn right to London Road, cross and turn left. After a short distance bear right on a passageway leading to a street.

Walk to the far end of it, by Redfern Avenue, and turn left to Perry Wood then left by the edge of the wood.

When you come to a flight of steps there are paths into the wood, if you wish to explore it. If not, descend the steps to Lark Hill and turn right on a track which runs along the bottom of the wood then bends left to take you down to Wyld's Lane. Turn right, then right again when you come to Midland Road, walking past the Lea and Perrins factory.

Soon after this turn down steps on the left and follow a path past allotments to Hill Street. Turn right to Tallow Hill and left by a retail park. Cross the canal at a newly built footbridge and proceed into town.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION

When you reach St Peter's, at the end of Battenhall Road, go straight on along a track until you can turn left under the railway. The track emerges into fields and turns right to Upper Battenhall Farm. Turn left in front of the house, through a green gate and along a grassy track. Go through a rusty blue gate in the field corner, and left across the next field to the far right corner, then through a hedge gap, after which the track becomes increasingly well-defined as it leads to Whittington Road.

Turn left past the roundabout then take the first footpath on the left, past the RNIB College ending at a stile. Turn right along a track as far as the next stile which gives access to the college grounds. Turn left down a grassy slope. After crossing another stile continue down the next field towards Middle

Battenhall. Cross a stile to join a track and proceed to a junction. Turn right on Red Hill Lane, rejoining the main route.

FACTFILE

Start: The Cross, Worcester.

Length: 5.5 miles (8.8km) or 6.5 miles (10.4km).

Maps: OS Explorer 204 or any good street plan.

Terrain: streets and surfaced paths on the main route, sheep pasture on the extension.

Stiles: 0 on main route, 5 on extension.

DISCLAIMER

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.