IT'S just a suburb of the city today, but Northwick was once the principal manor of the bishops of Worcester. The manor also held valuable property in the city, and had nine dependent rural manors, including Claines, Beverburn (now Barbourne) and Bevereye (Bevere).

However, Northwick was later superseded by the bishop's palace at Hartlebury. It lost its dependent manors and was taken into the new parish of Claines, where a church was built by Wulstan, the last Saxon bishop of Worcester.

Northwick still retains the tiny green which was at the centre of the original hamlet, and there are some lovely old houses west of the green on Old Northwick Lane. The lane runs to a former wharf, or slip, on the Severn, at the place where Prince Edward (later Edward I) crossed the river in 1265 on his way to do battle with the rebel army of Simon de Montfort at Evesham.

The slip later became a popular lido, and today it is part of Northwick Lido Local Nature Reserve, which is looked after by the city council's team of wildlife rangers. It's a peaceful place, bordered by marshy meadows where clay was once dug to make bricks for the city's houses, and where dozens of horses now graze beneath massive willow trees.

Across the river is Hallow, its woods and meadows combining with Northwick and the Severn to form a wide green corridor bringing wildlife into the city.

Though the beavers from which Barbourne and Bevere derive their names have long since gone from the Severn, you are certain to see other forms of wildlife on this walk. Mute swans, grey wagtails and kingfishers frequent the river, and it's almost impossible to walk past Bevere Island without seeing at least one grey heron. You can expect to see buzzards too, which breed nearby.

North of Bevere Island, the Severn is joined by the River Salwarpe and the remains of the Droitwich Barge Canal. You'll pass the canal's derelict bottom lock, built in 1771, near the hamlet of Hawford. The canal is being restored but it's a long, slow process and at Hawford it remains untouched, both its charm and its wildlife intact for the time being.

PLEASE NOTE This walk has been carefully checked and the directions are believed to be accurate at the time of publication. No responsibility is accepted by either the author or publisher for errors or omissions, or for any loss, accident or injury, however caused.

1 Leave the Park and Ride by the pedestrian exit and cross Droitwich Road to a footpath which initially runs to the left of a sports field. It eventually meets Cornmeadow Lane, where you turn left. Walk to Ombersley Road and cross to Beckett Road. Follow it to a major junction and turn second right: that is, not Colin Road, but the next one, which has no nameplate at this point (it's Northwick Road). Walk to a small green with a horse chestnut tree and turn left on Old Northwick Lane. Once past Old Northwick Farm, the lane becomes a track leading through meadows and marshes to Northwick Lido Local Nature Reserve.

2Enter the reserve and proceed to the River Severn. Turn right and walk upstream to Bevere. Soon after passing the island, you will be forced to leave the Severn and climb up a wooded slope. Turn left at the top and walk along field edges to meet a private road. Turn left, passing a cluster of houses next to the site of Hawford Lock, then follow a waymarked path which runs alongside Droitwich Canal before crossing it at a footbridge. Turn right, following the canal to the A449.

3Cross the road and turn right. After a few metres you'll be able to join a footpath, which descends from the embankment to rejoin the canal. Follow the towpath to a lane then turn right, crossing the canal. Walk to a junction by Hill House and turn right, then right again when you come to another junction.

4Take the first footpath on the left, which is also the access to The Willows, Beechfield House and Apple Cross. Fork right after a few paces, away from Apple Cross. Continue straight on towards The Willows at the next junction. Just before you reach it, turn left past two willow trees to find a nettle-infested footbridge into a potato field. Turn right by the field edge on a very poor path and go through a gap in the corner. The path is fine in the next field, and continues in the same direction to Claines.

5 Turn right, walk to a junction and cross Claines Lane to the church. Turn left to join a footpath which runs past the churchyard. Continue past Claines Cottage to a field. Keep straight on until you meet a track. Go diagonally left towards a disused farm building then head for a line of tall, narrow poplar trees. Go through a gate beneath the poplars and follow a path which emerges on Droitwich Road almost opposite the Park and Ride.

FACTFILE

Start: Droitwich Road (A38) at Perdiswell, grid ref SO851577.

Length: Six miles/9.6km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: Riverside meadows and arable fields, with one slope.

Footpaths: Excellent, except for two poorly-maintained paths near Claines.

Stiles: 12.

Parking: Worcester North Park-and-Ride. Alternatively, there is a car park at the end of the track leading to Northwick Lido.

Buses: W1/W2/W3/144 serve Droitwich Road on weekdays, with a bus every few minutes. You could take the 303 along Ombersley Road to Beckett Road, while the 32 (every 20 mins) actually goes to Old Northwick Lane. On Sundays, there's only the 144. Traveline 0870 608 2608 or www.traveline.org.uk

Refreshments: The Mug House at Claines.