Worcestershire | Archive | 2001 | September | 25
From the archive, first published Tuesday 25th Sep 2001.
IT will come as no surprise to anybody familiar with the Worcestershire countryside to learn that we have the highest footpath density in the country, with almost two and a half times the national average.
This abundance of paths is most marked along the western edge of the county.
You could return repeatedly to the area between Knightwick and the Malverns, for instance, and always find new paths to explore.
It's beautiful countryside too: hilly, with woods and orchards, splendid viewpoints and secluded valleys.
It's also home to a superb nature reserve, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust's Knapp and Papermill, which comprises 27 hectares of woods, meadows and orchards beside Leigh Brook.
This walk only touches upon it but you may explore further if you wish as the reserve is open to the public.
DIRECTIONS
Walk along the "no through road" signed to The Norrest, soon turning right by Norbury's cider shop. Walk past orchards, a cluster of buildings at The Norrest and Norrest Wood.
Ignore any branching paths until you reach a small brick building, just beyond the site where a timber-framed house is currently under construction. Join a waymarked footpath here which runs roughly straight on and is easily followed through orchards, fields and more orchards.
When you come to a junction where three paths are indicated turn left to the corner of the orchard, through a strip of woodland and over a stile to intercept a bridleway. Turn right, following the bridleway over brackeny grassland and into a wood. Fork right where indicated by a waymarker.
At the far edge of the wood turn right for about 120m, then left, descending through woodland and bracken. At one point the bracken looks impenetrable, but it's easy to make a way through. Coming eventually to a T-junction, turn left.
After passing a farm continue along a track towards a road at Stitchins Hill. As you reach the road turn left on an unmarked but clear path which runs through woodland to a stile. Turn right here and return to the road.
Turn left past Bridges Stone and the Knapp and Papermill (main entrance) then first right on an ancient track known as Sandy Lane. It climbs to Patches Farm, where we should be able to join a footpath. However, walkers will be turned away here (don't be fooled by all the "path open" notices posted by the county council!)
So continue along Sandy Lane, then turn left at Alfrick. Go left again at a crossroads, straight on at the next junction, and left at the one after. At Alfrick Pound turn left for a few paces to join a footpath.
Climb to the top right corner of a field then go forward into the Knapp and Papermill. Continue to a junction and turn right. Ignore all branching paths and keep quite close to the edge of the wood until you pass a corrugated-iron building, after which the path heads deeper into the wood. When you come to a junction marked by a nature reserve sign keep going downhill.
Enter a meadow and keep straight on down to find a small green gate and a path down to a footbridge over Leigh Brook. Having crossed the brook, proceed along a track for a little way then turn right on a footpath.
When you come to Brookside fork left uphill, and go left again at a junction. Before long two yellow arrows send you to the right where a stile gives access to a field. Cross to the far side and turn left across the adjoining field to reach a footpath junction. Go diagonally across another field to the far corner.
Turn left along a lane and keep going until you've passed Rose Tree Cottage. A few paces further on, turn left on a bridleway, shortly forking right at a junction. Approaching a house called The Beck fork left on a woodchip path then turn right at the next junction.
Cross a stile into horse-grazed fields at Birchwood. Cross two fields to a gate, just to the left of a copse. Bear right across the next field to a lane then turn left for a short distance before re-entering the field on the Worcestershire Way.
Descend to a house and follow the Worcestershire Way through the garden or take an unofficial waymarked diversion which avoids it. The two routes merge and the Way then turns right into a walnut grove.
Pass two waymarked posts then step over a small stream. Leave the Worcestershire Way here, descending left on an unmarked path. After crossing a stile continue down through woodland. After another stile follow the woodland edge instead. The path joins the track which runs past The Norrest. Turn right, retracing your steps to the start.
NB: The unmarked path described above may be hard to find - if you do have difficulty you may prefer to stay on the Worcestershire Way, which is easily followed down to the main road.
FACTFILE
Start: the turning for Norbury's and The Norrest, off the A4103 between Leigh Sinton and Storridge; GR 764496.
Length: 6.5 miles/10.5 km.
Maps: OS Explorers 190 and 204; OS Landranger 150.
Terrain: gently hilly; mainly pasture, orchard and woodland; nettles in places.
Stiles: about 20.
Parking: layby between Halfkey turn and the Norrest turn.
Buses: Bromyard Omnibus Company Worcester-Ledbury 417 to the Norrest turn, Mondays to Saturdays; Traveline 0870 6082608.
Refreshments: snack van in the layby, and Norbury's cider shop (the New Inn is also close to the route, and so is the village shop at Alfrick).
NB: due to continuing FMD restrictions, dogs should not be taken on this walk.
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.
FOLLOW THE CODE
If you have handled cattle, sheep, goats or pigs in the last seven days please stay off all farmland.
Do not go near, and never touch, handle or feed livestock. If you come across them unexpectedly move away slowly. If necessary re-trace your route.
Do not take dogs on land where there are cattle.
Keep dogs on a short lead where there are sheep, goats or pigs.
Do not leave any waste food or litter.
Stay on the path and leave all gates as you find them.
Use disinfectant where provided.
Start your walk or ride with clean equipment, footwear and clothing.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008