Offerton Circular Walk

This is a pretty walk achievable in good time at a leisurely pace. With a kind of 'nature trail' feel to it, it runs past Warndon Wetlands, Hindlip Lake and Nature Trail and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust's headquarters at Lower Smite Farm.

Starting at Offerton top lock, walk down the lock flights in the direction of Worcester. At bridge 22 cross the canal and into the field via a stile. Carry on straight across the field to the fence. Go right and follow this into a narrow lane until you reach a tunnel under the main A449 road. Go under this and through the gate. Turn left down the side of the field to the corner and over the stile. Turn right up the side of the field to the road. Turn right and then left to the Hindlip Lake Nature Trail. Go and have a look at the lake.

Go back to the road and continue along it until you reach a gate on the left. Go through this and up the field, over the stile and up the hill. In the top right corner cross the stile into the Police HQ. Continue through the car park to the fence on the far side. Go through the fence using the gate facing east/west into a field. Follow the side of this field and continue in a straight line until you reach the road (taking the right hand path at the fork). Cross the road and over the stile at the top of the bank opposite. Head diagonally across this field towards a half timbered building crossing a stile. Behind the building cross a further stile into the road.

Turn right and follow the road round the long S bend. At Upper Smite Farm, continue through the double gates on the right and head down the field side in the direction of the canal. Cross the first field to the opposite corner. In the second, head down to the right hand corner. Cross the fence into a narrow strip of undergrowth and over a stile on the left. Cross this field to the gate and then into the last field before the canal. The gate to the road is just to the left of the bridge and this can be used to cross the canal back to the towpath.

Getting there

Parking: On Offerton Lane below bridge 24, by the side of the road.

Public transport: By boat, mooring is possible between bridges 22 and 22A. By car take the Droitwich A4538 exit off the M5 North and Offerton Lane is a short distance on the right-hand side.