SHRAWLEY Wood's famous bluebells may be past their best by the middle of May, but there's no shortage of flowers to enjoy on this delightful walk.

The wood plays host to a wide variety of species such as ramsons (wild garlic), stitchwort, yellow archangel, yellow pimpernel, ground ivy, red campion, bellflower, forget-me-not and others.

Even without the wild flowers, Shrawley Wood would still be one of the loveliest places to explore, for its glorious lime coppice is almost without equal in this country.

The footpaths used in this walk reveal some of Shrawley's finest limes, assessed by the path which leaves the road opposite the Rose & Crown.

Elsewhere in the walk, by the River Severn and by Shrawley Brook, there is more woodland and lots more wild flowers.

You will see lady's smock and marsh marigolds in marshy areas, cowslips on the drier patches, and masses of meadow buttercups occupying the middle ground in-between.

Garden flowers feature too, for at Sankyns Green you have the chance to visit Eastgrove Cottage Garden, which has featured in many magazine articles and is praised in Patrick Taylor's Gardeners' Guide to Britain.

The garden is open from 2pm to 5pm in the afternoon on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays until 28 July (details: 01299 896389 or www.eastgrove.co.uk).

directions

n From the Lenchford Inn, walk back towards Worcester on a wide grass verge. Cross over when you see two footpaths on the other side and take the left-hand one. It follows a lightly trodden course through buttercup meadows by Shrawley Brook, keeping just far enough from the brook to avoid marshy areas.

The waymarked path soon enters woodland, keeping always to the right of the brook - don't be tempted by another path which branches left to cross the brook. Eventually, a very slight climb takes you to a junction with a bridleway, where you turn turn left to pass idyllic Holt Mill.

The path continues through Holt Mill Coppice and then along the edge of a poplar plantation before returning to woodland.

You'll cross three footbridges altogether, spanning tributary streams. Look out for the third one, which is made from railway sleepers. Just beyond it you'll meet a track (no waymarkers) and you'll glimpse another footbridge down to your left, spanning Shrawley Brook itself. Don't go to this next bridge, but turn right instead, joining the track.

It rises gently through woodland then continues past Eastgrove Farm to meet a lane. Ignore branching paths and walk along the lane, soon passing Eastgrove Cottage.

When you come to a junction go straight on along a track opposite, which is both public footpath and private driveway. Pass through a gate which spans the track - this opens into a garden where a pair of aggressive geese are allowed to roam free.

They threaten walkers in a very intimidating way and it's best to carry young children at this point. Dogs need to be under close control too.

Fortunately, you will shake them off after a few paces - look for a concealed stile on the right as you approach the house. The stile gives access to a rapefield - enough to make any walker's heart sink, but, for once, a sufficient pathway has been made and you can cross the field without the usual difficulties.

At the far side, turn left until stile gives access to a meadow. Cross this to another stile, just to the right of paddocks. The OS map shows the right of way running diagonally across the ensuing field but it has been cropped over and a path made along the left-hand edge.

When you reach the end of the crop, head towards a pool, passing to the right of it on a diagonal course which will take you to the far right of the field, where nettles guard another stile.

Turn left on a lane, then immediately right on another which leads to the B4196. Cross with care and turn left to meet a footpath opposite the Rose & Crown. The path passes Wood Farm and soon leads into Shrawley Wood. Keep forward, ignoring all the yellow arrows and passing to the right of a Forestry Commission sign.

When you reach a junction turn left, eventually coming to a waymarked crosspaths, where you turn right. Stay on the main path, ignoring paths branching left and right, and eventually descending towards a footbridge spanning Dick Brook.

Don't cross the bridge - just before you reach it look for a stile on the right, which gives access to riverside meadows. Turn right and follow the outer edge of Shrawley Wood, ignoring branching paths which enter the wood.

At the end of the wood, by a sandstone outcrop, two paths are indicated. Take the left-hand one, so that you continue in much the same direction, walking along the base of a slope to meet the B4196. Turn left to the Lenchford Inn.

FACTFILE

Start: near the Lenchford Inn on the B4196 at GR813643 (alternatively, the Rose & Crown, further up the road).

Length: 6 miles/9.6km

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: gentle, mostly woodland but also farmland, with nettles in places and some aggressive geese (see main text)

Stiles: 17, one of which is unusually high and may prove difficult for less agile walkers.

Parking: on the old road north of the Lenchford Inn (or ask at the Rose and Crown).

Buses: Worcester-Kidderminster services 293/294 travel along the B4196 on Mondays to Saturdays; the 300 on Sundays goes via Ombersley so get off at Holt Heath and walk the extra half-mile; Traveline 0870 6082608.

Refreshments: the Rose & Crown or the Lenchford Inn.

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.