Broadheath, Worcestershire

If you've never visited Elgar's birthplace at Broadheath perhaps this is a good time to go. There is a visitor centre, close to the cottage where Elgar was born. The cottage is called The Firs and is worth visiting whether you're interested in the composer himself or in vernacular architecture. It also has an attractive garden.

The Firs is on the route of this enjoyable walk, which includes many places familiar to Elgar, who loved exploring the countryside on foot and by bike. Though his family moved to Worcester when he was only two years old he returned frequently to Broadheath. There are also fine views of the Malvern Hills, where Elgar later lived and which provided him with both pleasure and inspiration.

Sadly, there is much less wildlife around than in Elgar's day, but there is still plenty to see. Take binoculars if you're into birdwatching because raptors such as kestrel, buzzard and little owl are all present, along with the occasional sparrowhawk. You can expect a variety of typical farmland birds, from yellowhammer to partridge. There is a starling roost at Birchen Grove, and water birds frequent the River Severn and Laugherne Brook. In fact, the brook is an important presence in the walk and is encountered more than once. At Dines Green it is bordered by mature woodland and protected by the city council, which has designated it a Local Nature Reserve. Look out for a wealth of wild flowers, especially along the path which runs past Birchen Grove to Bell Lane. The flowers are mostly of the type sometimes rather disparagingly known as arable weeds'. These include species such as common poppy, charlock, hairy tare, mayweed, scarlet pimpernel, forget-me-not, veronica and others.

It's by the River Severn, however, that the vegetation is at its most lush, and this is a lovely stretch of the river, though entirely within the city boundary. Unfortunately, the rampant Himalayan balsam is beginning to take over. This tall, pink-flowered, introduced species is a problem beside water courses throughout much of the country because it spreads rapidly, crowding out some native species.

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.

FACTFILEStart: Worcester Bridge.

Length: 8 miles/13km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: Mostly grassland of one sort or another, and also a few quiet residential streets; a couple of very gentle slopes but no hills.

Footpaths: Mostly excellent.

Stiles: Seven.

Refreshments: Plough Inn at Broadheath, Coppertops at Dines Green.

DIRECTIONS:1 Walk upstream along the towpath on the west bank of the River Severn. After one-and-three-quarter miles turn left at a junction. It isn't waymarked but a clear path has been mown through the lush vegetation so you should recognise the spot when you come to it. To confirm that you're in the right place, note that it's just after the towpath crosses a brook, next to a rectangular concrete structure. A concrete pillar marking the city boundary is a little further on, so if you see this you'll know you've gone too far and should turn back. Once you're certain you're on the right path you'll find it's easy to findHallow Road.

2 Cross the road and walk down Monarch Drive opposite. Take a footpath on the right after 300m, descending steps, crossing Laugherne Brook and following the brook to a field. Turn left, close to the edge, on a well-trodden path leading up to a gate. Go through and walk along a bridleway, passing Eastbury Manor, to find a footpath crossing the bridleway. Turn left on this path, walking across a field to the left end of a line of willow trees at the far side. Continue across another field to Martley Road.

3 Turn left and cross to a path almost opposite, at a gate overgrown by nettles. Walk straight across a field, turn left through a hedge gap then turn first right. Keep straight on at a junction, soon passing behind Temple Laugherne and a food factory. Meeting a track, turn right then very soon left at a broken stile. Follow this path to Bell Lane.

4 Turn left, walk to Sling Lane then take a bridleway going diagonally across Broadheath Common to the far corner. Turn left on Crown East Lane. Turn left again after 300m on a bridleway which passes between The Firs (Elgar's birthplace) and the visitor centre. Keep straight on at all junctions, passing Oldbury Farm and continuing along Oldbury Road at Dines Green.

5 Pass a pub called Coppertops then turn right along the edge of the pub car park, on a grassy bank above Laugherne Brook. Climb steps to cross a road and continue opposite, still beside the brook. Cross another road and again continue opposite, through Laugherne Brook Local Nature Reserve, to another bridge.

6 Turn left across the bridge and then left along Meco Alley. Go straight on at the next junction, passing between allotments and a cemetery. Keep right when the path forks, heading across grassland towards a prominent red waste-bin, then turn right along a passageway to a street. Turn right, then first left on Rowley Hill Street to Laugherne Road. Turn right to a T-junction and turn left on Comer Road. Turn first right on Comer Avenue and keep straight on at a junction to reach Henwick Road. Cross and turn left to go down Hardwicke Close and past the Worcester News offices to Hylton Road and Sabrina Footbridge.