MUCH of north-east Worcestershire is now so urbanised and so blighted by major roads and motorways that it's hard to find any unspoilt, peaceful countryside to enjoy.

One exception to this rule is the well-wooded area of gentle hills just to the north-west of Bromsgrove.

There are still remnants of the Great Forest of Feckenham in this area, including Pepper Wood, which has been a Woodland Trust nature reserve since 1981.

A traditional coppicing regime was practised in the wood for centuries until extensive felling took place in the 1940s.

Most of the trees present today have grown since then and coppicing has been reintroduced by the Woodland Trust. Pepper Wood is managed as a community woodland with local people carrying out most of the management work. Coppice poles are used for bean sticks, fencing material and firewood.

Pepper Wood's trees include oak, birch, hazel, ash, alder, willow, crab apple, wild service, small-leaved lime and the scarce large-leaved lime.

Wild flowers are abundant in spring in recently coppiced areas. There is a network of paths through the wood, which is open to the public, so you don't need to stick to the right of way as described below, but can explore further if you wish.

Dodford, with its copses, meadows, streams and orchards, is another lovely place, and it has an interesting history too.

In 1849 land at Dodford was acquired by the Chartist movement, led by Feargus O'Connor, whose dream it was to bring industrial workers back to the land, so that they could support themselves and qualify to vote

. The scheme was a failure but Dodford later enjoyed a period as a successful market gardening community, growing strawberries, flowers and summer vegetables as well as garlic for the Lea & Perrins factory in Worcester. The market gardens have gone now, but Dodford retains its own special character.

DIRECTIONS

Join a footpath which leads through the pub car park and follow it along field edges to a lane. Cross to another path opposite and go diagonally across a meadow to the far corner. Continue by the right-hand edges of the next two fields, then along the edge of a wood above a steep-sided valley.

Turn left down steps to cross a brook then turn right on the other side. When you come to a picnic site turn left and walk uphill to the Dodford Inn. Continue to a lane and turn right past Malvern View Cottages to Warbage Lane.

Cross to a footpath opposite which soon enters a field. Turn right and descend to a stile then go left on a clear path. Keep left when it forks by a brook. Climb to the top of a slight hill, cross a stile into a large field and go diagonally left across the corner to a stile in the hedge.

Turn right through woodland, soon crossing a brook and climbing slightly to reach a nursery. Turn left, and soon right, following a waymarked path through a cactus house then along the edge of a garden into a field. Keep going to join Yarnold Lane and continue in the same direction. Ignore three branching footpaths but join the fourth, on the left after Hillborough.

Follow the right-hand edge of a field to a lane. Turn left, then first right, signposted to Arden House. Pass the house then keep straight on along a field edge and cross a stile in the corner. Turn left to reach a lane. Turn right for a few paces then cross to another path. Follow it along the edge of a field and past Pepper Wood Cottage, soon with Pepper Wood itself on your left.

When you come to a junction with a bridleway turn left into the wood, then immediately fork left again. Follow the main ride all the way through the wood, eventually emerging on a lane. Cross to a bridleway opposite, which is also the access to Royal Content Farm. Having passed the farm, keep straight on over fields to reach Warbage Lane.

Cross over and walk down Woodland Road, and eventually left on Church Road. Keep straight on at a crossroads and again at the next junction, on a footpath just to the left of the village hall. Walk through woodland then along a field edge. When you meet Rose Lane cross to a footpath opposite and descend into a valley then turn right, eventually joining a bridleway (Rose Lane) by Priory Cottage. Turn left, then left again at a road.

Turn right at a road junction, shortly cross Kidderminster Road and go down Bungay Lake Lane. When the lane bends join a field-edge bridleway next to Muffin's Hill. In the third field follow overhead power lines towards a farm until you see a stile on the right. Turn left here, climbing diagonally up a slope, passing a trig pillar then descending to a stile in the field corner. Follow a grassy track to a junction then go through a gate on the left and turn right to a lane. Turn left to Park Gate.

FACTFILE

Start: Park Gate Inn, on the A448 west of Bromsgrove; GR 936716.

Length: 6 miles/9.6km.

Maps: OS Landranger 139; OS Explorer 219.

Terrain: gently undulating pasture and woodland.

Stiles: 43, including some which may prove difficult for less agile walkers.

Parking: near the Park Gate Inn.

Buses: Midland Red 134 Bromsgrove-Kidderminster buses stop at the Park Gate Inn, Mondays to Saturdays; frequent connections from Worcester via Kidderminster or Bromsgrove; County Busline 0845 7125436.

Refreshments: Park Gate Inn, Dodford Inn and Crossroads Garage (shop) opposite Bungay Lake Lane.

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. Only you can judge your own fitness, competence and experience.