With the days already noticeably lengthening it's a good time to venture out for a longer walk. This one could easily take all day if you were to linger at some of the highlights along the way, such as Shrawley Wood or Redstone Rock. There are also plenty of pubs and cafés along the way, which might detain you too. On the other hand, it's totally undemanding, so you could whizz round it in just three or four hours if you wanted to. And if you prefer shorter walks, it's easily split into two linear walks which can be done on different days.

Despite the obvious focus on the River Severn, this is a varied walk with a range of habitats, making it an excellent choice for wildlife enthusiasts. For instance, there are lots of marshy areas stalked by herons in the meadows on the east bank. The drier fields are grazed by flocks of Canada geese, and cormorants are often seen flying upstream or perching in the tops of riverside trees. At Larford Lakes, the man-made pools are an obvious magnet for water birds, while the surrounding grassland is attractive to species such as green woodpecker.

There is a fair amount of woodland along the route, of various types. Around Lincomb Lock, on the east bank, there is lush, jungle-like growth on damp ground, supporting a wide range of species and very different in appearance to the oak woodland clinging to the top of the sandstone cliffs, culminating in Redstone Rock, on the west bank. Although predominantly oak, these woods also support other species, including lots of holly and spindle, laden with colourful berries.

Redstone Rock itself is an intriguing place riddled with caves, which are said to have been inhabited by hermits, who may also have manned the ferry which operated here in the Middle Ages. There are more caves in a sandstone outcrop at the southern end of Shrawley Wood, which is a large and beautiful mixed woodland dominated by small-leaved lime (apart from those areas of the wood afforested with conifers). Although the route described here runs along the outer edge of Shrawley Wood, it's very easy to make a detour into the wood.

Neighbouring Lower Astley Wood is different again, with introduced species such as sycamore among natives such as ash and hazel. Adjacent to Lower Astley Wood is a riverside wood which frequently floods and so supports damp-tolerant species such as alder and willow.

There are more cliffs at Holt Heath, topped with a long line of mature beech trees which radiate a golden glow when lit up by the winter sun.

DIRECTIONS1 Walk towards Worcester beside the A443 until you come to Premier Cottage Stores, then turn left to meet the A4133. Turn right, walking to the left of the road as far as Broomfields Farm Shop and Tea Rooms, then crossing to the other side. Turn right on a bridleway at a sign for Holt Church but leave the bridleway when you come to a stile on the left and join the Severn Way. Follow it through fields and woodland to the A4133.

2 Cross Holt Fleet Bridge then cross the road and descend to the riverbank near River Side House. Follow the Severn Way north to Stourport. Cross both Bridge Street and Stourport Bridge then go down steps to the riverbank.

3 Pass under the bridge and head downstream on the west bank towpath, which comes to an abrupt end at Redstone Rock. Turn right past the rock and climb a long flight of steps. Turn left across the top of the rock, beyond which the path continues along the edge of grassland. There is also a very attractive parallel path through woodland, along the top of the riverside cliffs. If you use this instead you should join the grassland path when the cliff-top path becomes narrow and eroded and starts to descend towards the riverbank. Keep straight on when you come to a junction, with a hedge of trees on your right and a hedge of brambles on your left. Stay on this path, ignoring a track which soon appears on your left.

4 Turn left when you meet a lane and walk past Larford Lakes, joining a footpath on the left after 400m. Follow the left-hand fence to a gate, beyond which a permissive path leads to the River Severn. Follow the river south to Astley Wharf. Turn right, then left on a bridleway just after a phone box. After passing through Lower Astley Wood to meet Dick Brook the bridleway bends right. Keep straight on instead, crossing the brook to Shrawley Wood then crossing a stile on the left to enter a meadow. Walk along the outer edge of Shrawley Wood, then keep straight on at the end of the wood to meet the B4196.

5 Turn left beside the road, past the Lenchford Hotel. Take the second path on the left (ie the footpath, not the bridleway), which climbs through a garden to cliff-top fields. Keep straight on to reach Holt Heath at Severn Heights. Proceed to the A4133 and cross to a path opposite which leads to the A443.

FACT FILEStart: Holt Heath, grid ref SO815630.

Length: 12 miles/19.5km.

Maps: OS Explorers 204 and 218, OS Landrangers 138 and 150.

Terrain: Riverside meadows and woodland, no hills.

Footpaths: Excellent.

Stiles: 17.

Parking: Beside A443 at Holt Heath.

Buses: 294/295/758 on weekdays, 300 on Sundays and bank holidays; www.worcestershire.gov.uk/bustimetables or Traveline 0871 200 2233.

Refreshments: Holt Heath, Holt Fleet, Stourport, Larford Lakes, Hampstall Inn, Lenchford Hotel.

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 any errors or omissions, or for any loss, accident or injury, however caused.