Variety and great views

At its simplest, it's a case of following the Severn Way upstream from Bewdley to Upper Arley, crossing the river and then following the Worcestershire Way downstream to Bewdley.

However, more variety and some great views can be added by leaving the Severn Way at Trimpley Reservoir and climbing through Eymore Wood before dropping down to Upper Arley.

Once across the river, further improvements can be made to the basic route by climbing through Seckley Wood (part of Wyre Forest) before descending again to the River Severn to join the Worcestershire Way for your return to Bewdley.

Neither Eymore Wood nor Seckley Wood adds very much to the total distance, but each does involve a few ups and downs, though nothing too strenuous.

Whether you choose to do none, one, or both of these variations is entirely up to you, but do both if you can - it's well worth the effort.

The main advantage of the Eymore Wood route is not so much the wood itself (attractive though it is), nor even the view, but the chance to walk through meadows full of wild flowers at Huntsfield Farm.

Species include adder's-tongue fern, bird's-foot trefoil, tormentil, veronica, bugle, bluebell, St John's wort, bedstraw, pignut, early purple orchid, common spotted orchid and many others.

As for Seckley Wood, the highlight here is a high viewpoint which gives fine views across the Severn Valley, including Trimpley Reservoir, Upper Arley and Eymore Wood - that is, much of the route you have just walked.

DIRECTIONS

Cross the north side of Bewdley Bridge and turn left past Bridge House. After you pass the rowing club you will see the first sign for the Severn Way as you are directed left to the riverbank. Simply follow the Severn Way upstream.

Eventually, the path moves away from the river to join Northwood Lane, where you turn left. For some reason, the Severn Way stays with the lane now, but there is a perfectly good alternative path which takes to the fields again just after a phone box.

The path runs through buttercup meadows and past holiday chalets until forced to join the lane (and the Severn Way) just before the Elan Valley Aqueduct crosses the river. Turn left to enter the open grassland around Trimpley Reservoir and Lower Pool.

If you are opting for the easy walk, just follow the Severn Way to Upper Arley. For Eymore Wood, however, climb the bank to Lower Pool and turn right beside the pool. Turn left at a T-junction (ignoring a misleading waymarker) then shortly turn right to cross the railway.

Enter Eymore Wood and keep straight on uphill at a junction after just a few paces. Keep left at the next fork, climb to a T-junction, turn left and ignore a right turn a few paces further on. Go left at the next fork, climb to a road and cross to a gate almost opposite.

Ignore a path branching left and follow the main path through the wood to a cross-paths. Turn left, joining the Worcestershire Way and soon crossing a stile by Huntsfield Cottage.

The path crosses three meadows then returns to woodland, descending steeply to merge with the Severn Way before reaching Upper Arley. Cross the River Severn and then cross a stile on the left if you are going to take the easy route by the river. For Seckley Wood, however, continue along the lane, passing the pub and railway station.

Stay on the lane until you see a footpath sign on the left, directing you along a driveway and then into Seckley Wood, where you will soon arrive at a rather confusing junction, partially obscured by trees. Keep roughly straight on, ignoring paths to left and right, and the route will almost immediately become clear again.

Turn left at the next junction, then left again at a five-ways junction, following a Forestry Commission route marked by red-banded posts. This leads to the Seckley viewpoint, where the path bends right. Fork left at the next junction, then immediately left again.

Descend quite steeply then fork left on a narrow path just before a red-banded post, then soon left again on the main path, which twists and turns downhill, eventually coming to a junction where it turns sharp right. Leave it here, going straight on along a narrower path which soon leads to another junction, where you turn left on a vehicle track.

Turn right at a waymarked junction on a footpath which descends steeply to the River Severn. Turn right on the Worcestershire Way and follow it downstream to Bewdley.

FACTFILE

Start: Bewdley Bridge, grid reference SO786754.

Length: minimum 7 miles/11.2km, maximum 8 miles/13.2km.

Maps: OS Explorer 218, OS Landranger 138.

Terrain: riverside meadows, with some woodland, and no hills, on the shorter walk; much the same on the longer walks, but with the addition of more woodland and a few slopes, including a couple of fairly steep descents, which may be muddy and quite slippery.

Stiles: 11 on the longest walk.

Parking: Bewdley.

Public transport: bus 300 serves Bewdley direct from Worcester on Sundays and bank holidays, but on weekdays you must change at Kidderminster or Stourport Kidderminster is best, with buses at least every 15 minutes; or go by train - Central Trains operates daily to Kidderminster where you can change to the Severn Valley Railway, which runs daily throughout the summer (enquire at Foregate Street about through tickets); Traveline 0870 608 2608.

Refreshments: Bewdley and Upper Arley.

DISCLAIMER

This walk has been carefully checked and the directions are believed to be correct at the time of publication. No responsibility is accepted by either the author or publisher for errors or omissions, or for any loss or injury, however caused.