The highest point of this walk is attained on the slopes of Crutch Hill above the valley of Elmbridge Brook, and it's a very modest 64 metres.

So it's quite surprising to find that there are some fine views to enjoy, particularly to the north-west.

There is also a fair amount of woodland along the way; some of it, such as Nunnery Wood, has been there for centuries, while some has only recently been planted but is already looking good.

The name of Nunnery Wood recalls a time when there was indeed a nunnery on the site.

It was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539 and the land was acquired by the Pakington family, who already owned the neighbouring manor of Hampton Lovett.

Sir John Pakington built the magnificent Westwood House in c1600 and it remains one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture in the country.

The church of St Mary and All Saints at Hampton Lovett is less spectacular, but not less attractive.

It retains some Norman features and is crammed with interesting memorials.

n Starting at the rail station, join Acre Lane and turn right, then go left past The Flower House. Walk past Baxendale Chemicals, then left on to Kidderminster Road. Go past the Railway Inn and into Vines Park, on a path running between Droitwich Canal and the River Salwarpe.

Alternatively, if you're starting from a town centre car park or bus stop, just cross Saltway to Vines Park.

Cross the river at a footbridge by some white cottages with blue shutters. Go along a passageway to Vines Lane and turn right, then take a path on the left, before the Gardeners Arms. Cross the railway to join a surfaced path. Stay on this if you're not equipped against nettles.

Otherwise, follow a waymarked path up a grassy bank. Two paths are indicated to the left before you reach the top - take the second one.

The path runs below some mature trees then through nettle-infested young woodland. Descend to rejoin the surfaced path near a large beech tree. Turn right through a housing development, pass under the A38 and walk up a road for 100m to join an unsigned path at a gate on the left.

Bear right around the base of a slight knoll to a tall, narrow oak tree. Cross a stile just beyond it, joining an excellent path across arable fields. Keep straight on at a junction. Eventually, you'll arrive at a rather confusing cluster of waymarks: continue in the same direction but to the right of a decayed hedge and an oak tree. Go to a stile by another oak.

Walk along the right-hand edge of the next field then through a bridle gate in the corner, turning right on the Wychavon Way. Follow it to Crutch Lane and turn left.

Leave the Wychavon Way soon after passing Crutch Farm, turning left on a concrete farm track just before a pool. After about half-a-mile you will be approaching Hampton Farm and should be watching for a solitary oak tree to the right of the track. Having passed the tree, stay on the track for a further 20m then take an unsigned path on the left.

Continue straight on at a second oak tree, ignoring a waymark pointing right. Turn right at a third oak tree (no waymark) on another path. Keep straight on at a junction.

Go through a hedge gap at the far side of the field and under the railway, rejoining the Wychavon Way (and also the Monarch's Way), which leads into the churchyard at Hampton Lovett. Walk straight through to a lane and turn right.

Cross the A442 and proceed along a track to another road. Turn right on a grass verge, then turn left after 400m, still on the Wychavon Way. Keep straight on for well over a mile.

After passing through Nunnery Wood, go through a gate to a field. There is a path on the left, but stay on the Wychavon Way.

Leave the Wychavon Way at the next junction, turning left on the Monarch's Way and heading towards Droitwich. Eventually, you will emerge from Boycott Wood on to a road. Cross over and turn left, then turn right on Westwood Way.

After about 100m you'll find a path on the left, which runs through trees for a while before rejoining the road.

Keep straight on, past a school and a leisure centre. As you approach a bridge, look for steps left to the canal.

Turn left on the towpath. Cross the canal when you come to another bridge and then keep roughly straight on at all junctions as you follow a path which threads through a housing estate before tunnelling under Salwarpe Way to emerge on Ombersley Way. Turn left to the station. If you're continuing to the town centre, refer to the first paragraph above.

FACTFILE

Start: Droitwich Station, grid ref SO 892633.

Length: 71/2 miles/12km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: Arable, pasture and woodland.

Footpaths: Many of them cross fields of crops, but for once that's not a problem. Elsewhere, there are some nettle patches, the worst of which can be avoided if necessary. Waymarking is intermittent.

Stiles: 3.

Parking: Droitwich.

Public transport: Frequent daily trains and buses; Traveline 0870 608 2608 or www.traveline.org.uk

Refreshments: Droitwich.