Dunhampstead and Trench Wood

4 miles. Start/finish: Dunhampstead, Droitwich WR9 7JX. Well-marked footpaths, across fields, woodland, railway crossing and canal towpath.

The walk starts (a) in the small village of Dunhampstead by Fir Tree Farm Shop and Café. Walk towards the railway crossing and take the footpath before the railway line on the right. The path (b) crosses the railway (look out for trains) and climbs gently through woodland. The path continues with woodland on the left and fields on the right. Eventually, the path levels out and you leave the woods for a short time where there are excellent views to the Malvern Hills. The path then continues mostly in a straight line and enters (c) woodland again. Again follow along the edge of Trench Wood. Ignore any exits to the right of the wood until the wood veers sharply left. Here you will turn right out of the woods (d) by the settlement of Sale Green.

(It doesn’t matter if you miss the turn to the right and continue along the path through the woods turning left and right before coming to the road, because you can turn right onto the road and right again onto the small lane or footpath to re-join our route.)

Follow the path adjacent to the small road which will eventually enter the wood. The path continues in a straight line along the edge of the wood with fields to your right. You can ignore the first gate (e) on your left into the wood as it runs parallel to our path, but take the next one (f) into the wood and across a footbridge into Fillet Wood. Eventually, the path exits the wood (g) and continues across two fields (head for the white building) before meeting a small road (h). Cross the road beside a house and veer slightly to the right. At the field boundary turn slightly right and continue in a straight line across two fields. The path passes beneath the railway line (i) and eventually exits up an embankment and onto the towpath of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal where you will turn right (j).

Follow the towpath as it heads north under the first bridge at Oddingley (k). Note the church to your left which is the site of the famous Oddingley Murder and the interesting signal box on your right. Continue along the towpath under two accommodation bridges until it meets the road bridge where you will leave the canal (l) and arrive back at Trench Lane, Dunhampstead.


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