Now that autumn is here again it's time to make the most of the beautiful woodlands which we're lucky enough to have in our region.

This week and next, therefore, we're focussing on Wyre Forest. A thousand years ago this was a native oakwood stretching from Worcester to Bridgnorth.

It's considerably smaller today and partially afforested with alien conifers. But even in its diminished state it remains one of the largest and finest semi-natural woodlands in the country.

About half of Wyre Forest is looked after by the Forestry Commission, which successfully combines its responsibilities for conservation, public recreation and commercial use, harvesting around 4,000 cubic metres of timber each year.

This week's walk is in the northern part of the forest, starting from the Forestry Commission's Hawkbatch car park and picnic area near Buttonoak.

Hawkbatch comprises Hawkbatch Valleys and Seckley Wood, an area of 143 hectares altogether, of which 38 hectares is considered to be of particular conservation value and is protected accordingly.

We're going to save Hawkbatch Valleys for another time but Seckley Wood is explored in this walk, together with Withybed Wood and the route of the former Cleobury Mortimer railway near Dowles Brook.

Most of this area is contained within the Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve so it's native woodland which dominates, not gloomy ranks of conifers. Oak is the main species but there is also beech, silver birch, rowan, holly and hazel.

Not all of the walk is within the forest; there's also a lovely stretch of the Worcestershire Way where it runs beside the River Severn between Dowles and Folly Point. When you return to the forest you then visit a viewpoint in Seckley Wood which provides fine views of the Severn Valley.

The viewpoint, complete with information panels, was constructed by Upper Arley Parish Council for a Parish Pride Project in 1996. Many local people, including schoolchildren, helped with the work on a voluntary basis, while funding came from Forest Enterprise (part of the Forestry Commission) and Severn Trent Water.

Upper Arley is easily visible from the viewpoint and so is Victoria Bridge which carries the Severn Valley Railway across the river. The bridge was cast at Coalbrookdale to a design by the engineer John Fowler, and on its completion in 1861 it could claim the largest cast-iron span in the UK.

If the walk described here is too long for you, bear in mind that the Forestry Commission has waymarked two very short walks at Hawkbatch.

The "blue route" is about a mile, the "red route" about two miles, and they are intended to be suitable for people with limited mobility. The red route, part of which is included in the walk, takes you to the viewpoint.

DIRECTIONS

If you arrive by car walk back to the road from the car park. If you arrive by bus ask the driver to drop you near the car park entrance. On the other side of the road from the car park a stile gives access to a path into the forest. Turn right along this concessionary path for a short distance until you come to a signpost indicating a right of way. Turn left here and stay on this main track, ignoring any branching paths.

The track soon swings left through Withybed Wood and eventually descends steeply to a junction with a bridle track. Turn right along this track until you can cross Dowles Brook. Turn right on the other side and climb uphill to meet the course of the dismantled railway.

Turn left and follow the former railway through the forest. Soon after signs indicate that you have left the National Nature Reserve you should cross a track and climb a flight of steps almost opposite to regain the former railway.

When you reach the B4194 turn right for a little way then cross over to join a track which follows Dowles Brook to the River Severn. Join the Worcestershire Way, turning left to walk upstream.

Quite soon after passing under an aqueduct (Elan Valley Pipeline) the riverside path rounds Folly Point. After crossing a stile branch left on a footpath which climbs to a junction. Keep left, still climbing, until you reach a wide green swathe cut through Seckley Wood - this is the route of the pipeline, which is underground at this point.

Turn right along the pipeline route for 200m. Reaching a junction, turn right by a red-banded post. This marks the "red route" and all you have to do now is follow the frequent red-banded posts back to Hawkbatch. The trail winds through Seckley Wood and on the way it visits the viewpoint high above the Severn Valley.

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: Hawkbatch, which is on the B4194 between Dowles and Buttonoak to the north of Bewdley; GR762777.

Length: 5.5miles/8.8 km.

Maps: OS Explorer 218, OS Landranger 138.

Terrain: forest paths and tracks, which may be muddy in places; there is also a riverside stretch so do this walk before the floods come; there are a few slopes but nothing strenuous.

Stiles: 4.

Parking: Hawkbatch car park/picnic area.

Public transport: buses and/or trains operate daily to Bewdley and Kidderminster, at either of which you can connect with Whittle's 125 Bridgnorth service, which will stop at Hawkbatch; the 125 doesn't run on Sundays but Bewdley is only 10-15 minutes walk away (take Woodstone's Coaches 300 from Worcester); Traveline 0870 6082608.

Refreshments: none on the route but there's a pub at Buttonoak, and plenty of choice at Bewdley (10-15 minutes walk from Dowles).