This enjoyable and varied walk includes pastoral and arable farmland, beautiful villages, parkland, the River Severn and some surprisingly far-reaching views, extending from the Malverns to Brown Clee Hill.

It also includes short stretches of two long-distance walks, the Wychavon Way and the Severn Way.

The Wychavon Way was created to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. It runs for 42 miles (67km) from Holt Fleet to Winchcombe, where it meets the Cotswold Way.

The Severn Way follows the river for 210 miles (337km) from its source in a squelchy bog on Plynlimon to the point where it meets the Bristol Channel at Severn Beach.

Ombersley, where the walk begins, is one of the most notable villages in the county, with a remarkable collection of unspoilt buildings, including over 40 which are Grade II Listed.

Most of the finest were erected between 1450 and 1750. One of the most impressive is the timber-framed Dower House near the crossroads, which is said to have served as the Court House in the days when Ombersley belonged to Evesham Abbey.

However, that must have been an earlier building on the same site, for the Dower House was built in the 17th Century, long after the abbey was closed by Henry VIII in 1539.

The King's Arms was built c1450 and 200 years later Charles II is said to have spent the night there after escaping from the Battle of Worcester. Ombersley's other pub, the Crown & Sandys, takes its name from a prominent local family, the owners of Ombersley Court, the largest house in the village.

It was built for the first Lord Sandys in the 1720s, replacing an earlier house on the same site.

The manor of Ombersley had been in the possession of the Sandys family since 1560, when Edwin Sandys was appointed Bishop of Worcester by Elizabeth I.

Ombersley Fishpond, which you pass near the end of the walk, provided carp for the manor and was also the site of Turn Mill, which had one of the largest water wheels in the Midlands. It ceased operating in 1900 and was dismantled in 1930.

Today the pond is popular with anglers and its reed beds are valuable for birds such as reed warblers and reed buntings.

Another feature of the walk is Thomas Telford's elegant bridge at Holt Fleet, which was completed in 1828. Before the bridge was built people crossed the river by ferry and there was a riverside inn to cater for ferry passengers. In the 1840s improvements to the Severn navigation were carried out, including the construction of the lock at Holt Fleet.

This made pleasure steamer excursions possible this far upstream for the first time. The inn had pleasant riverside gardens and it became a favourite resort for day trippers from Stourport, Worcester and Tewkesbury.

Combined rail and river tickets brought more visitors, especially from the Black Country. By 1910 the inn at Holt Fleet was catering for up to 500 diners on busy days.

Old photographs show what an attractive building it was but in the 1930s it was replaced with the present hotel.

DIRECTIONS

Standing at the crossroads in the village centre, choose the Tenbury road, then turn right along Apple Tree Walk, and soon left by Stiles Farm, following the lane round to the right as it becomes a bridleway which leads to the village of Uphampton.

Turn left by The Hollies and walk to Corner Cottage, then turn left again along a lane.

After about 300m, as the lane begins to descend, join a footpath on the right, following a hedged track into a field, then going straight on by its left-hand edge, walking directly towards the clock tower which is visible at Abberley.

Change to the other side of the hedge when you come to a gap, but continue in the same direction.

Joining a lane, turn right, then soon left on to a footpath opposite Boreley House.

The path goes diagonally right down a sloping field and then steps lead to a lane where you turn left.

Keep straight on at two junctions to join a footpath which heads directly towards the River Severn.

When you reach Mutton Hall (a caravan park) cross a stile on the left and follow the hedge down to the river, then turn left on the Severn Way.

At Holt Fleet go under the bridge to join the Wychavon Way (the Severn Way crosses the bridge and heads towards Holt). Continue by the river, soon passing the Wharf Inn.

Almost a mile from Holt Fleet, soon after you pass Holt Church (on the far bank) the Wychavon Way makes a left turn towards a stile on the slope which rises to your left.

Climb the stile then walk up through woodland, old quarry workings and grassland to reach Ombersley Fishpond.

Walk round the pond, following its edge closely and keeping it to your right.

At the far end there is a marshy area: turn left here and skirt arable fields then cross a stile into the parkland surrounding Ombersley Court and go forward to the road.

Turn left into Ombersley.

FACTFILE

Start: Ombersley, GR845635.

Length: 5 miles/8km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 138 or 150.

Terrain: mostly level, with one brief ascent; mixed farmland, riverside meadows.

Stiles: 12.

Parking: Ombersley.

Buses: frequent services provided by Whittles 298 and Midland Red 303 on Mondays to Saturdays, Woodstones 300 on Sundays and bank holidays; details from Traveline on 0870 6082608.

Refreshments: Abundant facilities at Ombersley and Holt Fleet.

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.