SUCH is the low standard of path maintenance on this walk that the route description has to be ridiculously detailed and there is no space for any background information.

Suffice to say, that it's worth doing: the countryside is lovely, Mere Hall is spectacular and the canal is always busy with colourful boats.

Most of the path problems will not unduly affect most walkers, but everyone needs to be forewarned in order to make detours along roads if necessary (refer to the map for help in this respect).

It's also useful to know of potential hazards, such as ankle-twisting holes in the ground and badly hung gates, so please read the directions carefully.

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.

DIRECTIONS

n Join the canal towpath opposite the Eagle and Sun. Walk north as far as bridge 36 then cross a broken stile and join a track crossing a field. Cross the railway and follow the track along the left-hand field edge, ignoring a path branching left. Go through a gate in the top corner of the field then diagonally left across Summer Hill to the top corner of Summerhill Wood.

Walk straight across a field, passing to the right of a pond then aiming for the far corner of Lady Wood (on your right) before continuing to a footbridge. Turn left along the edge of a rape field, and then right in the corner. At the next stile turn left to a lane.

Turn left for 450m to find a fingerpost indicating a footpath. This is currently blocked by oilseed rape so detour around the right-hand field edge until you can join a track leading to a lane.

Turn right, past Buncroft Farm, then walk through nettles to join a path just before Windfall Cottage. Walk along the edge of a plantation then left along the edge of a bean-field to a stile. Go straight on along the edge of pasture, ignore a path branching left at a footbridge and continue to a gate by a pond.

Go to the far right corner of the next field, cross two stiles and go straight across another field, passing to the right of a farmhouse (not shown on OS maps), to a stile to a lane (watch for the steps). Turn right for 100m, then left over a stile.

Go diagonally across a field to the B4090 then cross to a gate opposite. Squeeze past (or crawl under) a barrier and choose the right-hand path, going obliquely to a slightly overgrown stile/footbridge in the hedge.

Continue through a young wood to a stile where Mere Hall comes into view, then still in the same direction, across two fields to a prominent, stag-headed oak tree. Cross a nearby stile/footbridge, deal with the electric fence and continue straight across the next field to the top corner. Turn right along a lane.

After 500m turn left on a public footpath which is also the private drive to Upper Goosehill Farm. A footpath which would allow us to avoid the farm is shown on OS maps (at SO947610), leaving the drive by Harding's Knapp, but it is blocked.

So there is no choice but to stay on the drive. After Upper Goosehill House go straight on and into the garden of Upper Goosehill Farmhouse, passing very close to the house itself. This is daunting and one wonders how many walkers have turned back at this point. In the absence of waymarking, you'll just have to trust me - this really is the right of way.

Exit the garden at the far side then cross a field. Proceed through dense nettles, between a brook and a pool. The path soon improves, but don't get complacent - a hole in the ground is waiting to sprain or break unwary ankles. Watch where you put your feet.

Follow the left edge of the next field until you can cross a waymarked footbridge. Go diagonally across a field for 100m then turn to face Goosehill Wood (the long wood across the field), go diagonally left to meet it, then turn right by its edge.

Deal with a gate at the corner of the wood (it hangs from one hinge so take care) and follow the woodland edge to a lane.

Cross over and follow the edge of Little Goosehill Wood through another field. At the far corner of the wood, turn right to a stile/footbridge across the field then continue across another field. Turn left along Hay Lane and walk to the canal. Join the towpath and follow it to Hanbury Wharf.

FACTFILE

Start: Hanbury Wharf, on the B4090 east of Droitwich; GR SO922629.

Length: Seven miles/11.2km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: Pastoral and arable farmland, canal towpath, quiet lanes.

Footpaths: Mixed in quality, but unimpressive overall, although most people will be able to complete the walk without much difficulty. Sadly, however, for some elderly or less agile walkers, an electric fence fixed next to a footbridge/stile at GR SO954618 will prove difficult or impossible. Another path, commencing at GR SO944632, is completely blocked by oilseed rape. It is currently possible to walk around the field margin instead. As the crop approaches maturity it may be that this detour will also be rendered difficult or impossible. The county council, which is required by law to deal with such illegal obstructions, has been informed.

Stiles: 23, and you may have to climb over a gate too.

Parking: Hanbury Wharf.

Buses: First 940 from Droitwich, Monday to Saturday, but advance booking is required, at least 30 minutes ahead of departure. The call centre is open 0700-1700, Mon-Fri, on 08457 125436. On Fridays only, Whittle's operates a normal service (151) at 0955 Refreshments: Hanbury Wharf.