Castlemorton Common was once part of Malvern Forest, which was one of several Royal Forests designated by William I as hunting territory for himself and his successors.

Like the other Royal Forests, Malvern comprised a variety of habitats, including woodland, heathland and grassland.

When Malvern Forest lost its royal status it gained the new name of Malvern Chase but its days were numbered and from the 17th Century onward it was gradually enclosed for agriculture.

Fortunately, some small patches escaped this fate and they remain as common land today. Castlemorton Common is one of these survivors and it is still rich in wildlife.

It is best known among naturalists for its plants, which number around 200 species. Foremost among them is the black poplar, a native British tree which has become very scarce.

There are about 80 on Castlemorton Common, which is probably the densest concentration in the country.

The poplars are pollarded regularly - that is, the stems are cut back to a height of about three metres.

This is a traditional management technique which provides a constant supply of timber and greatly prolongs the life of the tree. It also means that each tree attains a considerable girth and great individual character.

There are few sights more impressive than a group of centuries-old pollards.

Castlemorton Common is also a good place for birds: in particular, it is perfect green woodpecker territory.

This colourful and distinctive bird loves to feast on ants and there are plenty of ant hills on the common.

With a bit of luck, you might also see species such as buzzard, kestrel, ring ouzel, wheatear, stonechat and whinchat, though some of these are summer visitors so not normally present until April.

The male stonechat is easily recognisable, with his black face, white collar and orange chest; the female's plumage is duller.

whinchat is similar, but without the black head, though the male does have black cheeks, below a white eye-stripe.

The ring ouzel is also easily recognisable. The male is black, the female a bit paler, but both have a white crescent on the throat.

Scarce

The ring ouzel is also known as the mountain blackbird but, unlike its namesake, it is an increasingly scarce species in Britain.

Though landscape and wildlife are the main features of this walk, there is architectural interest too, with a notable group of buildings at Little Malvern.

A Benedictine priory was established here in the 12th century. At that time, Little Malvern was considered to be out in the wilds, far away from the temptations of civilisation, and therefore an ideal place for a priory.

But it never really flourished and it seems to have been regarded as a sort of dumping ground for troublemakers from Worcester Priory. In 1536 it was one of the first priories to be destroyed on the orders of Henry VIII when he initiated the Dissolution. Most of it was demolished but part of the church was spared and it now serves as the parish church.

Fragments of other buildings survived too and were incorporated into a neighbouring house, Little Malvern Court.

There are lovely gardens surrounding the court and these are sometimes open to the public (Great Malvern tourist information centre is the place to enquire for opening dates).

The daffodils in March are worth seeing.

DIRECTIONS

Walk through the car park to join a bridleway at the far side. It descends steeply past British Camp Reservoir then enters woodland.

When it forks, go to the right, contouring round Broad Down before descending to Shadybank Common at the foot of Hangman's Hill. The bridleway soon joins another track, on to which you turn right to pass Dales Hall.

After leaving Dales Hall behind, the track passes a wood before emerging on Berrow Downs, where it turns left.

Leave it here, going forward instead on a bridleway across the downs. Reaching a road, turn left, passing a group of black poplars. Keep straight on at a junction.

Soon after passing Bowling Green House the road bends and a track leaves it on the left.

Follow this track to the edge of the common and turn right to meet a brook, then follow it along the left-hand edge of the common.

When the brook turns a sharp corner turn right across the common on a wide path which eventually meets Hancocks Lane by another group of black poplars opposite a house called Strawbyn.

Turn left along the lane. At Gate Cottage go forward through a gate and continue along the lane.

Take the second footpath on the left, a tree-lined track leading to a house. Pass to the right of the house and garage to a stile then cross three fields as you walk towards Little Malvern.

Join the road and turn left, then left again on a bridleway which passes behind Little Malvern Court.

As you approach Underhills Farm you'll see a large yew tree on the right. Cross a field here, then climb up Tinker's Hill to rejoin the path to the reservoir and British Camp.

FACTFILE

Start: British Camp, A449, grid reference SO763404.

Length: 5 miles/8km.

Maps: OS Explorer 190, OS Landranger 150, Harvey Superwalker alvern Hills.

Terrain: pasture, arable, scrub, bog, woodland; mostly level, with just one brief but steep ascent and one similar descent.

Stiles: 4.

Parking: British Camp car park.

Public transport: daily buses to British Camp - go direct from Worcester on Sundays but change at Great Malvern on weekdays; Traveline 0870 608 2608.

Refreshments: Malvern Hills Hotel and snack kiosk at British Camp; fresh spring water is available at Dales Hall.

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.