THIS delightful walk has much to recommend it, but for many people the best bit will probably be from Knightwick Manor to The Grove Farm, where the path runs through a charming secluded valley then climbs gently uphill to give good views of the surrounding countryside.

Another highlight is the path which leads past Lower Elmores End to Bringsty Common. This path was added to Ordnance Survey maps only quite recently so some local walkers may still be unaware of its existence. Bringsty Common's charms are well-known, of course, and you may like to extend this walk to explore more of the common. Another place worth exploring is Whitbourne, where the old village centre has some lovely cottages and an interesting church.

There are large herds of Hereford cattle in the fields around Knightwick Manor. Despite its formidable bulk, the Hereford is a sweet-natured beast and one of the most appealing breeds in existence. At this time of year many of the cows have young calves so if you have a dog with you please make sure it's on a lead.

DIRECTIONS

WALK beside the road towards Bromyard for about 150m until you can join a footpath on the left. Cross a cherry orchard then continue close to the left-hand edge of a field until you can join a lane - either at a stile or at a gate further along (despite appearances to the contrary, the right of way does continue to this gate).

Turn right along the lane until you can join a footpath on the right. Go diagonally across a field to a stile near the far left corner. Continue through an orchard towards Knightwick Manor. Pass in front of the house then turn right and cross a field to the far left corner.

Walk through a copse into an orchard and then follow a trodden path across a field until two paths are indicated by waymarkers: take the left-hand one, going through an open gateway and following a brook through a bracken-covered field. Towards the far side of the field bear left uphill to avoid overgrowth blocking the path, then bear right to find a stile into another field.

Go straight across the field and through a gate in the far hedge. Continue in the same direction along the top of a bracken-covered bank until forced to swing left to climb to the top corner of the field. Go through a hedge gap to enter a large sheep pasture, with a valley in front of you and The Grove Farm beyond it.

Descend into the valley then climb out of it, aiming for the far top left corner of the pasture. Cross a stile then follow the left-hand hedge to a lane. Turn right and soon right again at a junction. Soon after Pump Cottage at Suckley Row start looking for a path on the right, opposite another house.

Cross a field to a stile near the far left corner. Turn left along the edge of the next field, cross a stile and turn right until a gate gives access to a tarmac track. Turn right then pass to the left of a house, into a field where two paths are indicated. Take the one which goes straight on across the field and through a gate then go down a steep, slippery bank (you're now crossing the route of the dismantled Worcester-Bromyard railway).

Continue in the same direction, crossing pasture, an access track and a ploughed field, to meet a lane. Turn right for 100m then join a footpath on the left. Go diagonally right downhill to a hedge corner and join a track which climbs past a ruined farmhouse at Lower Elmores End. Keep going uphill then follow the top edge of a brackeny pasture until a stile gives access to a woodland-edge path.

Turn left and follow the path to Bringsty Common. At Foxhall turn left along a track which meets the A44 by a telephone box. Cross to a footpath opposite and go straight ahead across a field. After passing a house go diagonally right to a stile and along the right-hand edge of the next field.

Cross a marshy area and go through the second of two gates on the right, walking through a field towards a wood. Pass through a gate in the field corner and turn left along the outer edge of the wood. Pass to the right of a cottage, cross a lane and continue across the pasture opposite to a stile. Follow Sapey Brook to the right, soon crossing it at a footbridge, after which you'll have to duck under a fallen tree. Continue along the other side of the brook and through a garden to a lane.

Turn left and soon left again, then right at the next two junctions, so that you walk through Meadow Green. Fork left by the bus shelter to continue to Whitbourne.

Just before you reach Whitbourne Court, take a footpath on the right which heads towards the River Teme then runs along the top of a riverside cliff before joining a driveway, crossing Sapey Brook and meeting the A44. Either turn left beside the road to Knightwick or cut out 200m of roadside walking by crossing to a path opposite. Walk up a field for 150m then turn left to the road.

DISCLAIMER

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.