THERE is some very attractive countryside to enjoy on this walk, in particular the sandy ridge of Mount Segg, where woodland composed principally of oak, holly, birch and elder is protected as a nature reserve.

A couple of the pools which used to power Blakedown's mills are also visited. These one-time industrial sites now attract a variety of wildlife, especially birds.

However, the focal point of the walk is undoubtedly Harvington Hall, a moated manor house of great charm.

It was originally a mediaeval timber-framed building but was extended and rebuilt in newly fashionable brick in the 1560s. The hall was for centuries owned by the Pakingtons, a devout Catholic family who continued to practise their religion after it was made illegal, well aware that they could face the death penalty if discovered attending mass.

The hall's intriguing interior contains secret chapels and more priest holes than any other house in England - priest holes are ingenious hiding places where visiting priests could, with a bit of luck, escape detection if the authorities turned up. There are hiding places below removable floors, behind bookcases and in the attic.

The hall has other treasures too, including original wall paintings, and it is one of the most interesting houses in the Midlands.

It is now owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham and is open to the public Wednesdays to Sundays and on bank holiday Mondays, April to October. However, it is sometimes closed for private functions so if you're keen to visit you might want to check beforehand on 01562 777846.

Stone House Cottage Garden is worth visiting too. It's a romantic walled garden with unusual brick follies (some of which are visible from one of the footpaths used in the walk). It has one of the largest collections of rare plants in the country and is open Wednesdays to Saturdays, March to October. Call 01562 69902 for details or visit www.shen.co.uk

n FACTFILE

n Start: Blakedown Station, grid reference SO880786.

n Length: 9 miles/14.5km.

n Maps: OS Explorer 219, OS Landranger 139.

n Terrain: Gently undulating farmland and woodland.

n Stiles: 15.

n Parking: Some roadside parking is available.

n Public transport: Central Trains to Blakedown, daily; or go by bus, changing at Kidderminster or Bromsgrove for buses to Blakedown or Stone; Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 or Traveline 0870 608 2608.

n Refreshments: Pubs and shops at Blakedown and Harvington, tea room at Harvington Hall.

n directions

LEAVING Blakedown Station, turn right along Mill Lane then left on Churchill Lane. When you reach the main road (A456), cross to a bridleway opposite. Follow it to a lane and turn right, then left on to another bridleway shortly before you reach the main road. Follow the bridleway to Deansford Lane and turn left.

Turn right on another bridleway after about 200m, as you approach a farm. The bridleway runs by a field edge then turns left to cross a brook. Branch right after the brook, joining a sandy path which rises along a wooded ridge, Mount Segg. Part of this is a nature reserve and dogs are required to be on leads.

Keep straight on along a surfaced track after you leave the wood. Turn left beside Bromsgrove Road (A448) and walk through Stone. Take the first footpath on the left, just after Butts Lane.

Keep to the left-hand edge of a field, passing Stone House Garden. Once the garden is left behind, keep going past a wood until you can join a path leading into it. The descent is short and steep, into a dingle bursting with bluebells in season. The climb out on the other side is much less steep.

Cross a stile to an arable field and follow the left-hand edge until you come to a post covered in waymarkers. Turn right across the field and turn right again at the far side, by a fence. After crossing another stile go forward along a track to a waymarked post and then diagonally left to meet a fence. Follow it to a road (A450) at Harvington.

Cross and turn right, then left by Forge Cottage on a well-trodden, waymarked path which leads to Harvington Hall. Turn left past Harvington Hall Farm and continue along a lane until it bends left - join a footpath on the right. After less than 100m this is joined by the Monarch's Way, which forms your route for the next couple of miles. With its distinctive waymarkers, it is very easy to follow.

Cross several fields then turn left at Woodrow Lane and keep straight on at a crossroads. Join a footpath on the right after 100m. It goes diagonally across a field to meet a track where you turn right.

Turn left when you meet a surfaced farm track. As it curves left to Bellington Farm, go through a gate on the right and stay with the Monarch's Way as it goes past a ruined mill, across a stream, up to a lane and then to the top of Barnett Hill.

The Monarch's Way turns left at the top of the hill - leave it at this point, crossing instead to a path almost opposite, which descends the hill. Cross a stile at the bottom and turn left on to a bridleway. Bear right down a slope after going through a gate.

The bridleway meanders along a valley until it meets another bridleway. Turn left on this one, walk to Sandy Lane and turn right. After 400m take a footpath on the right and walk past Ladies Pool to a junction with a bridleway. Turn right again. After leaving the pool behind, keep straight on to reach a road (B4188). Turn left, right at the main road, and then left on Station Drive.

n 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.