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.
Mobile users can click here for a list of recent walks (which are visible top right for computer users)
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