WYRE Forest is one of the UK's largest surviving oak woods and much of it is protected as a National Nature Reserve, managed by English Nature.

But it's not just about trees. Historically, the forest has always consisted of a mosaic of different habitats, including a scattering of grasslands.

Some of these support scarce species such as autumn crocus, while others support common but colourful species such as knapweed.

This walk also visits other nature reserves, such as the Fred Dale Reserve, leased jointly by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and West Midland Bird Club.

It straddles Dowles Brook and includes a cutting and embankment which were part of the former Bewdley to Cleobury railway.

Oak woodland covers much of the reserve and there is a rich ground flora, at its peak in the spring. It is best known for its birds, which include kingfishers, grey wagtails, pied flycatchers, redstarts and wood warblers.

Knowles Coppice Nature Reserve belongs to Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and is mostly woodland, but also contains a meadow on the northern bank of Dowles Brook.

The meadow is managed by grazing with cattle in late summer, a method which prevents coarse grasses from overwhelming the less robust wild flowers.

For much of July, the dominant flowers are knapweed and betony, but a few early summer species linger on, including a sprinkling of common spotted orchids.

The meadows around the English Nature office at Lodgehill Farm have a different range of flowers.

The bright yellow of tormentil is prominent throughout July, accompanied by bird's-foot trefoil, common centaury and self-heal. Towards the end of the month, the first of the scabious will be in bloom.

Adders are present around Knowles Mill and Lodgehill Farm, but you would be lucky to see one as they are very timid. They are also increasingly scarce, partly as a result of persecution from people who regard them as a threat.

In fact, most of us are more likely to win a million in the National Lottery than to be bitten by an adder.

DIRECTIONS

Walk upstream on the Worcestershire Way, along Severn Side North.

After three-quarters of a mile you will come to a footbridge which spans Dowles Brook at the point where the brook joins the river. Ahead of you are the piers which once supported a railway bridge above the Severn.

Cross the footbridge and turn left to follow Dowles Brook to the B4194.

Turn right for a short distance, until you have passed the remains of another railway bridge, then cross the road to find two paths leading into the Fred Dale Nature Reserve. Take the lower path, next to the driveway to Dowles Manor.

Very soon, Dowles Brook appears again, on your right. When the path forks, you can take either branch. They both lead to a junction with a "no through road"/bridleway (Dry Mill Lane).

Turn right on the bridleway and go right again at the next two junctions, soon crossing Dowles Brook.

The bridleway swings left by Oak Cottage and you can simply follow it to Knowles Mill if you wish. However, before long you will notice Knowles Coppice on your left.

If you wish you can walk through the nature reserve to rejoin the main path further on.

Don't be put off by the sign proclaiming that you need a permit to enter the reserve - at the other end a more recent notice indicates that all are welcome. Do stick to the path though.

Rejoin the main path and continue to a footbridge where you can cross the brook to Knowles Mill.

Walk past the mill towards the cottage then follow the path round to the right, behind the mill.

Ignore a stile on the left and walk up a slope into an oakwood. When the path levels out, look for a yellow arrow on a tree, indicating a right fork.

Cross a stile into a meadow by Lodgehill Farm and fork left across the meadow before leaving it at another stile. Cross a track to a third stile and follow a well-trodden path through two more meadows.

A stile soon gives access to woodland.

Proceed a few paces to a junction and turn left, then keep straight on, guided by waymarkers. Turn left (on path number 2) when you come to a cross-paths and keep going until you have passed a farm in a forest clearing.

Just beyond it there is a bungalow and on your left at this point there is a newly fenced enclosure.

Turn left along the edge of this enclosure, and left again at a junction, leaving the enclosure behind and passing a pool.

Keep straight on at all junctions as the well-defined path takes you through woodland before eventually descending to a gate where you turn right along a track.

When you arrive back at Dry Mill Lane, cross over and climb steps into the Fred Dale Nature Reserve.

Walk along the top of the embankment which used to carry the railway.

Once back at the B4194, turn right to rejoin the track which leads back to the River Severn. Walk downstream to Bewdley.

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.

Factfile

Start: Bewdley Bridge, grid ref SO787754.

Length: 4miles/7.2km.

Maps: OS Explorer 218, OS Landranger 138.

Terrain: Woodland, meadow, riverside towpath; possibly muddy in places.

Stiles: 4.

Parking: Public car park in Bewdley.

Public transport: Bus 300 operates direct to Bewdley on Sundays/bank holidays, but on weekdays you should go to Kidderminster, from where buses run every 15 minutes to Bewdley (you could change at Stourport but services are less frequent).

You can also go by train, changing at Kidderminster to bus or SVR steam train. Call Traveline on 0870 608 2608.

Refreshments: Bewdley.