I cannot recommend this walk at all!

A four mile walk in glorious countryside, with the stormy November skies enabling me to take pictures like this. Why wouldn't I recommend it? Well, read on and see. 

Starting at Blakeshall Lane Car Park, at Kingsford Country Park (next to the more famous Kinver Edge)

I followed the (well-signed) North Worcestershire Path  (NWP)

...past these lovely logs.

Onto Kingsford Lane very briefly

...before turning off onto a bridle path (still part of the NWP) with views of the Clent Hills on the distant horizon.

The nearer views were quite good,..

But the path was very muddy.

It got even muddier. This was ankle deep - and it wasn't possible to walk on the sides. Half an hour's walking, and I hadn't managed a mile.

My interest was briefly taken by the old Sladd Barn

By the time I reached Cookley Lane, you could barely tell that my boots are actually red.

The lane gave my boots a chance to dry a bit

Turning off the road, I admired this lichen

The path was drier, and I increased my speed. 

It looked like there was rain on the way

I passed some nice barn conversions (There are many in Caunsall)

I particularly liked the path nearby! Well tended and dry!

The Anchor Inn was busy (Friday lunchtime) but I hurried on.

Victorian post box in the wall of another barn

Perhaps the most surprising thing about this walk: the Fire Assembly Point sign. In the countryside! There were some barns opposite, so it must be for them

Along Kinver Lane, the skies darkened further

Horses need to be cared for, whatever the weather.

Back along Cookley Lane for a while

...and then turning onto Gipsy Lane. More distant hills - the Abberley Hills this time.

Finally the wooded Kingsford Park came into view

And I got back to my car.

A four mile walk, which I cannot recommend because of the deep mud which takes much of the pleasure from walking. In fact, the first mile made me very grumpy but I was cheerful by the time I got back to the car, three miles further on. Walking definitely increased my endorphins, but I still don't recommend this walk in case it doesn't do the same for you!

Today's walk: Start at Blakeshall Lane Car Park, and follow the North Worcs Path signs to Caunsall [If you insist on doing the walk, you can detour round Gipsy Lane rather than use the bridle path section - it's about the same distance. From Caunsall, return by the Lanes  - first Kinver Lane, then Cookley and finally Gipsy - to get back to the car park. 4 miles in total - but quite a lot of effort . Some ups and downs. Plus MUD.

Stourport Circular

I've been promising myself that I would try this walk, so Friday seemed the ideal opportunity. The Stourport Circular - 6.5 miles around Stourport.
Starting at the Riverside car park,

... I walked under the lovely road bridge, and on, past the fair. 

Good job I didn't use this car park: part of it is under water (from recent rain)

The middle one is the waymark sign



I looked down the river,..

... but the path turns onto the Staffs and Worcs canal.

Past the moored boats with fairground in the background.

The lock which car drivers see when driving through Stourport.

The day's strong winds were bending this flagpole.

Mitton Chapel Bridge, and the sandstone so common in this area

It was a beautiful day.

The River Stour flows right by the canal here, on its way to the Severn.

The canal looks like leaf soup here.

After nearly 2 miles, you turn left over this bridge, Bullocks Lane,...

...and head along this bridle path for a short distance,

It then crosses this road - the busy A451 from Kidderminster. 

Then the route is then crosses the Wyre Forest Golf Course, which is being remodelled.

I have to admit, I got a bit lost at this point. But it should be fine once the massive earthworks are finished

Back on track, I followed a path at the side of the minor road...

...until I reached Burlish Top Nature Reserve. (Some good short walks there)

Keeping to the path on the left hand edge of the reserve, I reached this waypost with its collection of routes

I turned left, with this view

The late sun shone on the trees  - and I realised I'd have to hurry to get back before sundown.

The views from the path here are really good

After about 3/4 mile, I reached the bridge for the Severn Valley Steam railway.

Across the road to Blackstone picnic park. The route could be started from here - cheaper than the £5 I paid at the Riverside car park!

Down to the River Severn.

...past the red sandstone cliffs

The river was in full flow after recent rain.

The path leaves the riverside, and up over this lump of rock, with a good view of the Wyre Forest beyond.

I passed a stone explaining that the planting here commemorates a President of the British Anglers Association. He held the role from 1986-2007 - 21 years!

He would have been pleased with the tribute

The river stretched on ahead.

Boats at the intriguingly named Severn Valley Yacht and Bungalow Association

The sun was setting as I finished my walk.

Today's Walk: A good route, to be recommended. It doesn't show all that Stourport has to offer, but that would need a much longer route. I found it to be further that 6.5 miles, and in fact I walked almost 7 miles - but I did get a bit lost by the golf course. I deliberately did not take a map with me, to see if it could be done without one, but I downloaded a copy of the walk leaflet, which I did need, as some of the signposting wasn't clear. Click here for a the place to download a copy of the leaflet. The leaflet says allow 4 hours, which I thought seemed a bit excessive, but I found the going very slow by the river, because it was quite muddy. (As a guide, I took 2h 45min - which includes taking pictures) So allow a good three hours minimum if you want to look round a bit. And buy any food/drink you'll need in Stourport before you set off, because there's nowhere for refreshments on the route.

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