Astwood Bank developed in linear fashion along the Ridgeway, a prehistoric trackway which ran along the ridge which now forms the border between Worcestershire and Warwickshire just to the south of Redditch.

Despite the trackway, there is no evidence of prehistoric settlement and the village was probably founded by Saxon settlers. It expanded rapidly in the 19th Century when needle-making was important in the area.

Though it is Redditch, which is famous for needles, the industry actually began in Studley, soon spreading to Sambourne, Astwood Bank and Feckenham, as well as to Redditch itself. At its peak, in the 1850s, the Redditch area was making 100 million needles a week and had a virtual monopoly of the trade.

Astwood means "east wood" but no woodland remains in or around the village today. However, the countryside bounded by Astwood Bank, Feckenham and Redditch is lovely, with lots of small hills, brooks, pools, hedges and copses. An unusual number of substantial old farmhouses (Astwood Court, Astwood Farm, Lovelyne Farm, Lanehouse Farm and Chapel House Farm, for instance) is evidence of its past agricultural importance, especially in the 16th and 17th Centuries.

DIRECTIONS

Walk along Feckenham Road, ignoring all turnings. After 300m join a footpath on the left which runs through allotments. Continue straight on at the far side, beside a brook, then left at Walnut Tree Farm to Dark Lane.

Go up steps opposite to join a footpath which runs above Dark Lane. Soon after passing Blackthorn House the path enters a field. Continue in the same direction until you're approaching a garden. Cross a stile to Dark Lane and turn left.

Turn right for a few paces at Astwood Lane then cross to a footpath. Care is required as you cross the overgrown stile, especially when stepping off it. Cross two fields (watch for a dodgy footbridge) and you'll see a waymarker indicating you go straight on. However, you're unlikely to be able to hurdle the electric fence obstructing the path. Turn right instead, until a stile gives access to Crofts Lane.

Cross to another footpath opposite, noticing the Monarch's Way logo. Things improve now and the path is easily followed across fields. In the final field go diagonally right towards Chapel House Farm. As you draw nearer you'll see a track which takes you past the farmhouse to a lane.

Turn right for a few paces, then left towards The Mount. Cross a stile into a field and follow the right-hand edge, then right again at another stile. A well-trodden path leads through two fields to Lovelyne Lane.

Turn left, passing Lovelyne Farm, then turn right on a bridleway. When the Monarch's Way branches right don't go with it. Stay on the bridleway, which leads to Callow Hill Lane. Turn left for a few paces then cross an overgrown stile into a field.

Go straight down to meet a gappy, damaged hedge. Keep to the right of it and follow it almost to the far side of the field. Just before you reach a telegraph pole

descend steeply past an oak tree then down to an overgrown stile to Lovelyne Lane.

Turn right, then soon left on a footpath. Follow the left-hand hedge the length of four fields, ignoring branching paths. Cross a track and two footbridges then turn left past a pool to the corner of a field, through a gate into the next and then right.

Pass through a line of three oak trees, continue to another oak and then straight on to meet a hedge/fence at a corner. Keep going to another stile ahead. Don't cross this stile but turn left so that you're walking to the right of a hedge.

Cross a stile in the field corner and go forward to meet Swan Brook. Turn right to Swansbrook Lane. Turn left over a bridge then left again on Crofts Lane.

When you come to a road junction join a footpath on the right and follow the left-hand hedge to the corner, climb a fence to pass left of a pool, cross a stile and go in the same direction through another field.

After crossing another stile follow the left-hand hedge to a stile in the corner then across another field to meet a track, Poplars Lane. Turn right, then eventually left at Astwood Lane. Take great care as you walk along here.

After 600m you will see a footpath sign on the left. The route is unclear but if you aim to keep about 100m from Astwood Lane you won't go far wrong. As you proceed across the field look out for a green-and-white footpath sign at the far side and adjust your direction accordingly.

An overgrown stile gives access to Astwood Lane and a path almost opposite takes you past Astwood Court to the path which runs parallel with Dark Lane. When you reach the stile to Dark Lane that you crossed earlier, turn right across the field to Astwood Farm. Turn left on a bridle track and when you come to the edge of the farmyard bear left to skirt round it. The bridleway (Monarch's Way again) is easily followed back to Astwood Bank. Turn left at the main road.

FACTFILE

Start: at the crossroads by the White Lion, Astwood Bank; grid ref SP044624.

Length: 7.25 miles/11.6km.

Maps: OS Explorer 220, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: pasture and arable, gentle gradients, some poorly maintained paths, nettles.

Stiles: 45, many of them overgrown.

Parking: car park off Sambourne Lane next to crossroads.

Buses: Harding's/Dudley's 350 Mondays-Saturdays - get off at the White Lion. Details from Traveline on 0870 608 2608.

Refreshments: Astwood Bank.

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.