EVESHAM Town lies in a 'U' shape around the River Avon where town and country merge with market gardens and asparagus fields.

Locals and tourists can enjoy visiting the historic sites of interest and also immediately walk out into open countryside.

The Vale of Evesham has two signed all season walks - one and a half mile 'hot chocolate' and a three mile Evesham Riverside walk.

The 'hot chocolate' so called because midway walkers can stop for refreshment starts from Workman bridge to Hampton Ferry, up to Boat lane and through town centre and bell tower then back to the river.

The walk has plenty of toilet facilities, cafes and restaurants and has access for the disabled and prams.

The Evesham Riverside walk begins at the east side of Workman bridge and passes the weir and railway bridge to Swampy meadow meeting a boardwalk and kissing gates, along to Oxstalls farm and Evesham country park.

HELPING YOU TO WALK YOUR WAY TO GOOD HEALTH

A HEALTHY walking pack has been launched by the district council to encourage people to walk to sites of interest in the district.

Walkabout in Wychavon has been produced by a group of volunteers and professionals with an interest in walking as a way of promoting health and well-being.

The information pack, funded by Wychavon District Council and the Countryside

Agency, has support from South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust,

Worcestershire County Council, Travelwise, Living Streets and Abbey Medical

Centre. It contains two walking routes in Evesham and Badsey.

For more information please contact Jack Allison at Wychavon District Council on 01386 565578.

To get you started...

THIS walk is included in the Wychavon walking pack.

The guide suggests parking at Hampton Ferry, at the end of Boat Lane, off Merstow Green, ready to begin.

It continues as follows:

1 - From the start, turn left at the signpost onto the footpath. The river should be on your right hand side. Benches are located en route to sit and admire the peace and tranquillity of the river.

2 - Follow the footpath towards an open fence. Continue through the open fence and you will be in Corporation Meadow. You should now be walking through trees with the river on your right hand side and the meadow to your left.

3 - Continue along the footpath until you see a road in front of you and a car park and picnic area on the left. Continue straight along the footpath, underneath the (Abbey Road) bridge.

4 - If you look to the left, you should be able to see the Bell Tower in the distance. A little further, you should pass Evesham Rowing Club to your left. Continue on the footpath through the open gate and you will now be in Abbey Park.

5 - Walk straight along the footpath and you will see another children's playground on your left with benches following the path. You will see the Workman Gardens on the other side of the river.

6 - On the footpath at the end of the line of trees, with a seating area on your right hand side, you need to take a sharp left. The footpath will now continue straight up an incline towards the Bell Tower, past a play area and the boating pool on your left. Alternatively, if the incline is too steep for you, follow the footpath round the park, passing the War Memorial.

7 - Follow the footpath towards the Bell Tower and walk underneath it by passing through the gate. Veer right on the footpath until you see a sign for the Almonry Heritage Centre , then take a sharp left. Continue straight along the footpath through the churchyard, through an open gate until you reach the main road (Vine Street). You should see the Almonry on your left hand side.

8 - With great care, cross Vine Street towards Ye Old Red Horse Public House. Turn left and cross the road (Merstow Green) towards the De Montfort Veterinary Hospital. Continue straight along the pavement, passing the veterinary hospital on your left.

9 - Merstow Green short stay car park will now be on your right. Continue straight along the pavement onto a small road (Boat Lane). At the end of the road, you will see a small lane ahead of you. Continue straight down, back towards the Hampton Ferry start point.