Hampton Lovett

It includes the tiny villages of Hampton Lovett and Elmbridge, and a small area of public access land at Bryan’s Green. This is mostly wooded with some scrub and grassland and a pond.

Rising not far north of Bryan’s Green is Elmbridge brook, which flows through a most attractive valley as it heads south to join the river Salwarpe.

There are surprisingly expansive views from the upper slopes of the valley, especially from the footpath between Addis Lane and Elmbridge, and then again towards the end of the walk, close to Hampton Lovett.

Elmbridge has what was originally a Norman church, but it was mostly rebuilt in 1872.

However, a Norman doorway survives and the little church, with its bellcote, is still an attractive sight, especially when the silver birches in the churchyard are resplendent in their autumn colours.

St Mary’s church at Hampton Lovett is also basically Norman.

FACT FILE

Start: The Forest, on the A442 north of Droitwich, by the access road and bridleway which leads to Hampton Lovett church, grid ref SO885655.

Length: Five-and-a-half miles/8.8km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landrangers 139 and 150.

Terrain: Pastoral and arable farmland, with a couple of slopes but no real hills.

Footpaths: Most are excellent except that waymarking is patchy and some cross-field paths have not, at the time of writing, been reinstated after ploughing. However, in most cases there are signs that the farmer is intending to reinstate them.

Stiles: 14.

Parking: By the phone box on the A442, opposite The Forest. There is also a car park near the church but you might need to seek permission.

Public transport: Go to either Droitwich (144/244/train) or Kidderminster (294/295/303/train) then take the 133 (Mon-Sat only) and alight at the phone box opposite The Forest; on Sundays the best option is to walk from Droitwich, a distance of just over one mile, using a footpath west of the golf course; worcestershire.gov.uk/bustimetables or 01905 765765.

Refreshments: None along the way, but there are shops and pubs at Cutnall Green, which would require only a short diversion.

DIRECTIONS

1 Walk along the access road/bridleway (also Monarch’s Way/Wychavon Way) which leads to St Mary’s church at Hampton Lovett. Turn left through the churchyard and leave it at the far side. Go under the railway and turn left. A field-edge path has been made but the right of way actually goes obliquely left to Hampton Farm – at the time of writing no path has been made on the line of the right of way. Join a hedged track which runs between Hampton Farm and neighbouring houses then turn left at a T-junction, still on the Monarch’s Way.

2 Turn right at the next junction, along a field edge beside the railway. After half-a-mile, go diagonally right across a field, as waymarked. Cross a footbridge at the far side, and go diagonally left across another field, towards a group of three willow trees. You’ll find a stile just to the right of them. The waymarked path is then easily followed through fields to an arboretum. Join a track which runs across it to the far side then turn right and walk to the corner, where there are two stiles. Cross the one on the left, staying on the Monarch’s Way, which goes straight ahead through fields. In the final field, aim for a hedge gap just to the right of a pylon, between two brick houses. Join Addis Lane at Bryan’s Green and turn right.

3 Reaching a junction, join a footpath opposite and go diagonally left across pasture to a gate at the far side. Go straight across the next field, following power-lines, and straight on downhill in the next, heading for a footbridge. Cross Elmbridge Brook, proceed to a lane and turn right.

Walk through Elmbridge, past St Mary’s church and down to a junction by Church Barn, where two footpaths are waymarked.

Take the one running straight ahead through fields. Keep to the right-hand side of the hedge when you reach two open gateways, but keep alert for the point at which you should change to the other side at a small gate, some distance further along.

4 Cross a footbridge and walk through a field into a wood. Go to the far side and enter another field. Walk to the far left corner, turn right along Crutch Lane then take the next path on the right, at Crutch Farm. Turn left after 600m, just before Elmbridge Brook, and follow the brook through a large field. After almost 700m, approaching the far side of the field, turn left and head for a waymarked gateway near the left corner. Climb to the far left corner of the next field then turn right and descend past woodland to the bottom corner of the field. Join a bridleway (Wychavon Way), cross the brook, walk through woodland and pass under the railway to return to Hampton Lovett.

Worcester News recommends the use of OS Explorer Maps, your ideal passport to navigating the countryside. This walk is based on OS Explorer 204.