PIPER'S Hill Common is also known as Dodderhill Common and as Hanbury Woods. Whatever you call it, there's no doubt it's a lovely place and very popular with local people.

Many come just to visit the woods, while others explore the surrounding countryside too. The footpaths which connect Piper's Hill Common with Hanbury Park and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal are unusually well-trodden.

In Worcestershire, probably only the Malverns, Wyre Forest and some of the country parks attract more walkers than the Hanbury area.

So what's the secret? Perhaps it's partly that Piper's Hill Common is so unusual. In fact, in Worcestershire, it's unique.

It was once wood pasture, where sheep or cattle grazed below a scattering of trees. The pasture has gone now, but the trees survive.

Some of them are survivors of the original wood pasture, while others have grown since, turning the wood pasture into a wood.

Piper's Hill is also unusual in that many of the trees are beech, which is scarce in this county. Other species present include oak and sweet chestnut.

The oldest trees on the common are estimated to be around 300-400 years old and are classified as veterans. English Nature defines veteran trees as "of interest biologically, culturally or aesthetically because of their age, size or condition".

There are about 250 veteran trees at Piper's Hill, an enormous number for a site which amounts only to 15 hectares.

There are various criteria for determining if a tree qualifies as a veteran. It is suggested, for instance, that if an oak tree has a diameter of over two metres it is "truly ancient".

But really, all you have to do is look at them - it's clear to see that these craggy giants at Piper's Hill have been around a long, long time.

Fortunately, they are well looked after, as the common has belonged to Worcestershire Wildlife Trust since 1995.

The National Trust also has a number of veteran trees to look after in Hanbury Park, and you'll see some of them on this walk.

The park surrounds Hanbury Hall, an imposing mansion built in 1701 for Thomas Vernon, a wealthy barrister who was also MP for Worcester. The property has belonged to the National Trust since 1953.

The canal towpath offers easy walking, with something of interest almost every step of the way, including the long flight of Astwood Locks.

Stoke Wharf is one of the most interesting places on the entire canal, though it is much less busy than it was in the days when coal was unloaded here, and salt was loaded by the ton.

The salt works at nearby Stoke Prior opened in the 1820s and were later taken over by John Corbett, Droitwich's so-called "Salt King". The works became the largest in Europe, with its own fleet of 50 narrowboats and 400 railway wagons.

The activity and noise continued round the clock, which can't have been much fun for local residents, but at least there was plenty of employment to be had.

However, the salt works closed long ago and Stoke Wharf is quieter now, but still colourful, with dozens of narrowboats moored on the canal.

n PLEASE NOTE: This walk has been carefully checked and the directions are believed to be accurate at the time of publication. No responsibility is accepted by either the author or publisher for errors or omissions, or for any loss, accident or injury, however caused.

You will probably wish to explore the woods first and you may use any of the paths.

There are plenty to choose from, on both sides of the road. When you're ready to get on with the walk, make your way to the southern edge of the wood, on the west side of the road.

Descend to the bottom corner to find a gate opening on to a track. Turn right, then soon left on a well-trodden path which climbs to St Mary's Church.

Leave the churchyard by the main gate and proceed to a road. A gate almost opposite gives access to Hanbury Park. Follow a well-used path towards the trees ahead, where there is a junction.

Fork right, walking beneath oak trees close to the park boundary. After the last of the oaks, cross a stile and continue in much the same direction as before. Keep straight on when the boundary fence begins to move away to the right.

Eventually, you will come to a memorial. Turn right here, soon passing a group of veteran chestnuts and oaks.

Proceed to a stile in the boundary fence and leave the park.

Walk across two fields then follow a short track to a road junction. Join the road opposite but after 300m take a footpath on the left. Go to the far left corner of a field then continue through two more fields to reach the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.

Turn right and follow the towpath to Stoke Wharf. Leave the towpath here and turn right along the road (B4091).

After about 400m you can join a footpath on the right. Waymarked and easily followed, the path leads to Weston Hall Lane, meeting it by Weston Hall Barn.

Take another path, almost opposite, by Elms Farm, and follow it across fields to Astwood Lane. Turn left and follow the lane past Sharpway Gate Farm and Farthing's Green to Piper's Hill.

FACTFILE

Start: Hanbury Woods, Piper's Hill, on the B4091, east of Wychbold; grid ref SO957642.

Length: 5 miles/8.8km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: Woodland, parkland, pasture, canal towpath.

Footpaths: No problems.

Buses: 144 (daily) or 22 Mon-Sat) to Droitwich then 940 to Piper's Hill (Mon-Fri) or 140 to Stoke Works (Mon-Sat). Or just take the 144 to Wychbold and walk from there, along Shaw Lane. Details from Traveline on 0870 608 2608 or www.traveline.org.uk

Refreshments: Pubs at Stoke Works and Stoke Wharf.