Though this walk begins and ends in Gloucestershire, it mostly explores a forgotten corner of Worcestershire - the gentle green countryside tucked away between the M50 and the River Severn north-west of Tewkesbury.

At the centre of this is Bushley Green, an attractively situated village with woodland, a pond and a large green used for cricket matches in the summer.

Less than a mile to the north, and visible from the footpath, is the imposing mansion of Pull Court, better known as Bredon School.

To the south, just over the county border, is Forthampton, with beautiful houses and a duck pond.

Nearby Forthampton Court was built in 1380, as the country residence of the Abbots of Tewkesbury.

There are superb views of Tewkesbury Abbey near the end of the walk, between Forthampton and Lower Lode, which is where the earliest Tewkesbury-bound travellers used to cross the Severn.

Upper Lode is another early crossing place which now has the only lock on the river between Diglis Lock at Worcester, and Gloucester Lock, and is almost exactly halfway between the two.

DIRECTIONS

Start: Tewkesbury; GR 894333.

Length: 10 miles/16km.

Maps: OS Landranger 150, OS Explorer 190.

Terrain: Mostly flat, with farmland, riverside and woodland. There are a few points where the route described differs very slightly from the correct line of the right of way where this has been rendered difficult to use by neglect and/or obstruction. Elsewhere -mainly around Forthampton - the rights of way are so obstructed that it's not worth attempting them, so traffic-free lanes are used instead.

Even on the better paths you will find overgrowth (mainly nettles) and illegal overcropping in places. You will also have to climb over a couple of locked gates and duck under a couple of single-strand wire fences.

Stiles: 25.

Parking: Tewkesbury.

Public transport: Midland Red 372 on Mondays to Saturdays, Astons 372 on Sundays and Bank holidays; there are also trains to Ashchurch Station, with a bus link to Tewkesbury (2 miles) provided by Stagecoach 41; County Bus Line 08457 125436.

Refreshments: Lower Lode Inn.

Follow the A38 out of Tewkesbury towards Worcester, crossing both channels of the River Avon.

When two footpaths are signposted on the right, take the left-hand one, going diagonally across a pasture and through a gap in a former railway embankment.

Continue to the far left corner of the next field, cross a footbridge and stile and turn left on a track which leads back to the A38.

Cross with care and join the A438 almost opposite. Cross Mythe Bridge into Worcestershire, and after passing Mythe Bridge House turn right to walk upstream on the Severn Way.

You will soon see Bushley over to the left. When you have left it behind and have come to a point where there is a footbridge just ahead and a prominent clump of five oak trees to your left, turn left and follow the field edge towards Bushley.

Reaching a track, turn right, soon passing the five oaks mentioned above. Join the driveway to Moss Green House, but immediately bear right to find a path into woodland. The path soon emerges in a field and continues in the same direction as the field narrows into a tree-lined avenue.

Go through a gate and continue across an orchard, through a galvanized gate, across a track and straight across a cornfield towards woodland. At the far side, cross a stile and walk through two fields then go forward to join Bredon School's access road. Turn left.

Soon after crossing the access track to The Stalls - a timber-framed house - join a path on the left which crosses a field, then climbs through pasture to a skeletal tree - used by jackdaws and a little owl. Follow overhead powerlines to a gate, then join an overgrown path, almost immediately forking right to reach a field. Follow the right-hand edge to a stile and turn left along a track to Bushley Green.

Cross the green to a road and turn right at a footpath signpost. Go past the cricket club and follow a grassy path to rejoin the road at a junction by Bredon School Lodge. Turn left on a quiet lane, Green Street, and follow it to the A438.

Cross to a footpath opposite. Follow powerlines to a stile then straight on over a second field. After passing a large oak tree begin to bear left towards the far left corner and a gate to a road. Turn right, then left into Forthampton.

Join Church Lane and walk right to the end of it. After Glebe Cottage it deteriorates into a track which eventually ends at a gate. Go through, turning left along a field edge. At the corner, when Tewkesbury Abbey comes suddenly into view, turn right to follow an electric fence across the field.

Go diagonally left across the next field, heading towards Home Farm. When about 100m from the farm turn right to the far corner of the field and duck under a wire fence to join the farm access road. Cross to a path opposite, again ducking under a wire. Walk to the far left corner of the field and then to the far left corner of the next.

Cross two stiles then follow a path along a field edge and through a caravan park to Lower Lode Inn.

Turn left by the River Severn and follow it upstream. At Upper Lode cross a footbridge to the lock then continue by the river to Mythe Bridge. Cross the bridge then join the Severn Way, passing a Severn Trent treatment works and following the Severn to its junction with the Avon, which then guides you back to Tewkesbury.

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.