THE highest point reached on this walk is just 165m, on a footpath that links Abberley Common with the village centre. Despite the modest altitude, the views from this path are panoramic, embracing a sizeable chunk of Worcestershire.

But perhaps the most beguiling part of the walk lies between Netherton House and Worsley House, with fine views of Abberley Hill followed by a descent into charming Wordley Dingle, one of those steep, narrow, wooded valleys so typical of Worcestershire.

The stream flowing through the dingle is a tributary of Dick Brook, and the brief climb up to Upper Norchard Farm gives lovely views across the valley of this stream to the steep slopes of Hurtle Hill, beyond which lie Stourport, Bewdley and Wyre Forest.

DIRECTIONS

1 At the junction by St Michael's Church and the Manor Arms, choose Netherton Lane and walk along it for 400m before taking a footpath on the left, a few paces after Rodge Cottage. The path is waymarked and easily followed. Nevertheless, after 700m or so, take care not to miss a waymark directing you to the right. Go to the far left corner of the ensuing field, rejoin Netherton Lane and turn left.

2 Keep straight on at the junction by Netherton House, joining an unmarked bridleway which runs to the right of a barn. Beyond the barn, a poplar tree marks the end of a hedge. The right of way runs to the left of this hedge, though a faint track to the right of the hedge looks more frequently used. At the far end of the hedge, pick a way through the sharp stubble to the far right corner of the field and look for a waymark directing you into a wood, where the bridleway improves. Keep straight on at a junction, into Wordley Dingle. Cross a brook at a footbridge, turn right, climb out of the dingle and enter a field. Turn left, pass to the left of a house and proceed along a track to a stile on the left. Enter a field and go diagonally left, pass through a hedge gap and then squeeze along the right-hand field edge, past the encroaching maize, to a lane. Turn left.

3Turn right by a postbox, joining the north-bound Worcestershire Way. Leave the Way 200m further on, forking left on an access track which is also a public footpath. Ignoring branching paths, climb to Upper Norchard Farm. Go straight on, into a field, and follow tyre tracks which run close to the left-hand edge. Cross a stile in the far corner and continue along the edge of another field. Keep straight on at a fence/hedge corner, heading towards a timber-framed farmhouse in the distance. After crossing another stile, proceed through the ensuing field to another fence corner and look for a track crossing the field. Don't join it, but keep about 50m to the right of it. When you meet a hedge you'll see a waymark which directs you down to a footbridge, beyond which the path proceeds to a gate into another field. Walk uphill, gradually moving away from the right-hand hedge, and the farmhouse will come into view again. Continue towards it.

4 Go through a gateway on the right as you approach the house, go forward a few paces and then climb over a gate on the left. Walk past the front of the house and along the access track. Don't miss a waymark which shows you where to leave the track, soon after crossing a brook. Go to the far right corner of a large pasture and then continue in the same direction across two more until you come to a waymarked post at a hedge corner.

5Turn right, beside the hedge, and go through a gate in the corner. Follow a well-maintained path through crops and then keep left through another field to join a track which passes Bank Farm and Worsley Farm and becomes Bank Lane. Take a path on the left, 400m after Worsley Farm, following a narrow green way through stubble to the far side of a field. Continue diagonally down the next field to join a lane. Turn right, keep left at the junction with Bank Lane and then turn left beside the B4202 at the next junction. Keep right at two more junctions, then take a footpath on the left by house number 59. At the top of the path, cross the road to an unsigned path opposite. Go straight on to meet a lane and turn right into Abberley.

FACTFILE

Start: Abberley village, grid ref SO753678.

Length: 51/2 miles/9km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 138.

Terrain: Gently undulating farmland, mostly pasture but with some arable.

Footpaths: A mixed bunch. There are no substantial problems but they would benefit from some attention. For instance, sharp stubble obstructs one previously over-cropped path, while elsewhere insufficient width has been allowed for a path along the edge of a maize crop. Waymarking is patchy.

Stiles: 12, and you will also have to climb over one gate.

Buses: Yarrantons' 758, Worcester to Tenbury via Abberley (alight at the village shop on the A443), Mon-Sat; Traveline 0870 608 2608 or www.traveline.org.uk

Parking: There are one or two possible places beside the B4202, or you might ask for permission to park at the Manor Arms in the village centre, the village hall near the school or the shop on the A443. The route description starts from the village centre.

Refreshments: Pub and shop at Abberley.

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.