The remaining fragment of a once vast oakwood which was part of a royal hunting forest in the middle ages is Queenswood. In 1935 it came into the possession of Herefordshire County Council which opened it to the public as a country park.

At the heart of Queenswood is an arboretum which was founded in 1953. It's now regarded as one of the finest collections of young trees in the country, with around 450 species from the temperate regions of the world. Particularly spectacular in autumn are the Japanese maples.

Surrounding the arboretum is a much larger area of natural woodland, which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve.

For centuries this woodland was coppiced, mostly on a 15-year rotation. The timber produced was used for firewood, fencing and the manufacture of tools and implements. Coppicing prolongs a tree's lifespan indefinitely and is also beneficial for wildlife. A few trees, known as standards, were allowed to mature to provide timber for houses and ships.

Unfortunately, the entire wood was clear-felled during World War One so none of the trees we see today is more than 80 years old, though some of them are growing on centuries-old rootstock.

Coppicing has been reintroduced as the most appropriate management system. This is particularly good news for Queenswood's dormouse population. The dormouse is a shy, sleepy, enormously cute but increasingly endangered mammal which requires hazel coppice if it's to thrive.

The walk described here explores the natural woodland and ventures out into the surrounding countryside, but can easily be adapted to include the arboretum too.

There is an extensive network of paths within the country park, including three marked trails. These are the badger, fox and deer trails, each of which is waymarked with arrows of a different colour and with the appropriate footprint or hoofprint.

The badger trail is the shortest, at just one mile, and entirely on level, well-surfaced paths in the arboretum, making it suitable for people with limited mobility. The other trails include paths which are slightly rougher and steeper.

Our walk includes part of the deer trail before leaving Queenswood behind. A "no through road" then climbs gently up Westhope Hill, with lovely views which include the Malvern Hills, the Clee Hills and the Black Mountains. Closer to hand is Bury Farm, where stone "fences" have been built with limestone slabs - a rare sight in this part of the world.

The road ends at Westhope Common and an enjoyable return route through mixed farmland (mainly pasture) brings you to Burghope Wood, which borders

Queenswood and is also managed with conservation in mind. You might be lucky enough to see fallow deer here or in the adjoining area of Queenswood as you follow the deer trail back to the start.

DIRECTIONS

Walk through the gap between the information centre and the caf, then straight on along a lime avenue. When you reach a gate to the autumn garden turn right for a few paces then right again on the combined fox/deer trail. When the fox trail turns right keep straight on along the deer trail.

This winds through the woods to a crosspaths where you turn left past a horse barrier on a slightly overgrown path which descends to the edge of Queenswood. Turn left to find access to a lane. Turn right and before long you will see two

footpaths signed on the left. Take the right-hand one, which runs through a field to rejoin the lane further along.

Turn left at a junction, on a "no through road" signed to Winsley. After passing several farms the road comes to an end at Westhope Common. Keep straight on across the common, following tyre tracks.

Cross a cattle grid to leave the common and turn left at a footpath sign. Ignore a branch path and continue past Prospect Cottage and Rose Cottage before going through a gate onto a farm track. Ignore a path which soon branches right.

When the track enters another field leave it behind and pass to the left of a pond. Keep going across the field to a stile now visible ahead. Continue across the next field and along the right-hand edge of another.

Entering a large, ploughed field go straight across, past a solitary tree, to a gap in the far hedge. Follow the right-hand edges of the next two fields. After this the route becomes much clearer, with regular waymarking, and very soon you'll be walking along a surfaced track.

When this track eventually turns right, go straight on instead to walk across a field. At the far side turn right for about 100m on a field-edge track then through a gap and into Burghope Wood. Turn right and follow the waymarked route.

After passing through a gate you're back in Queenswood and you soon come to a junction. Turn left, following the yellow arrows. Climb a flight of steps, turn left and go steeply uphill. At a junction turn second right (by a bench) on the deer trail. Follow it back to the visitor centre. Not all junctions are waymarked but, if in doubt, just keep straight on or take any of the other paths to explore more fully.

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.

FACTFILE

Start: Queenswood Country Park, Dinmore Hill, on A49 between Hereford and Leominster; GR507515.

Length: 7 miles/11.3km.

Maps: OS Explorer 202, OS Landranger 149.

Terrain: woodland, mixed farmland, quiet lanes; one prolonged but very gentle ascent and one short, steep ascent.

Stiles: 6.

Parking: at visitor centre.

Public transport: frequent buses and trains from Worcester connect with Kidderminster-Hereford buses 192/292 which operate daily, stopping at Queenswood; Traveline 0870 6082608.

Refreshments: cafe at Queenswood.