Walking Britain Worcestershire Walk
Shrawley Wood Circular from Shrawley
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| Ordnance Survey Explorer 204 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer 204 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 150 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 150 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
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Walk Route Description
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This pleasant walk through woodlands and meadows affords pleasant views of lakes, trees and the River Severn. The starting (and finishing point) is the New Inn on the B4196 Holt Heath to Stourport-on-Severn road near Shrawley (Grid ref. SO799663). The landlord welcomes walkers and charges a £3 parking fee, which can be redeemed against purchases for food and drink.
Having parked at the Inn, cross the B4196 by the pub and walk along the short lane directly opposite (beware of the traffic). At the end of the lane, enter Shrawley Wood and take the footpath to the left. Follow this path as it turns right and goes downhill, narrowing as it meets a brook. At a leafy spot a park bench provides a pleasant repose on a warm day, next to the ford. Cross the ford on the stepping stones. Caution: the stones can be partly or totally submerged at times and are usually slippery.
After crossing, turn right along a bridlepath and follow a beautiful avenue of trees to the left with fields to the right. The autumn colours here are spectacular in season. Nearing the end of the fence, a stile leads to a bridge re-crossing the brook and a junction of footpaths. A few yards to the left a stile leads to the meadows along the banks of the River Severn. Follow the path to the river bank, passing through two gates. Soon after the second gate the onward path is found via a stile in the fence to the right, going through an overgrown area. The route climbs a little, care should be taken as the ground can be slippery and tree roots present a tripping hazard. Putting the machete away now, the path opens up and reveals the beautiful New Pool on the right. Sadly this is on private land and can only be viewed through the fence! Proceed over a stile into an arable field and follow the fence or hedge right around until reaching Holders Pool and a junction of paths.
Turn right back into the woodland and cross a picturesque bridge with fine iron railings. Emerge into an area with mature deciduous trees and views of the house to the left. Cross two fences, sighting the stiles and markers at each end. Descend to Layes Pool (grid ref. SO804658). Continue on the path past Layes Pool (on your immediate left) for just over 50 metres to a junction of paths and tracks.
Here you have a choice of routes. To follow the shortest route, cross the stile into a large featureless field. The official line of the path heads approximately north-west aiming for the corner of the wood (grid ref. SO802661). If the filed has crops then following the field edge maybe the best option. Reaching the corner of the wood, continue in the same north-westerly direction across the next field to regain the longer route adjacent to some houses and a lane. Bear left down the lane to regain the starting point of the walk.
The longer option continues into the wood. Ignore the stile into the field and continue along the path just inside the wood (with open fields to your immediate left). The path parallels the field boundary on your left. Continue to pass an open area in the woodland on your left to reach a crossroads of tracks (grid ref. SO805662), which is about 400 metres after leaving Layes Pool.
Turn left and follow the clear path through the trees for 250 metres to reach another junction of tracks (grid ref. SO803663). Bear half left here and continue in a westerly direction. The track soon passes open fields on your left and continues onto a lane to reach the start. Return to your car (taking care to cross the road) or pop into the New Inn for a little light refreshment!
Other walks nearby
Walk 1548 Glasshampton Monastery and Astley Church from Shrawley - easy - 3.5 miles/5.7 km
Walk 1099 Abberley Hills - Worcestershire Way Circular - easy/mod - 4.0 miles/6.5 km
Walk 3240 Woodbury and Abberley Hills from Great Witley - easy/mod - 5.3 miles/8.5 km
Walk 3662 Abberley Circular - easy/mod - 4.8 miles/7.8 km
Walk 1830 Ombersley, the Droitwich Canal, Salwarpe & the Severn - easy/mod - 11.0 miles/17.9 km
Walk 2142 Severn Valley from Grimley - easy - 5.0 miles/8.1 km
Walk 3217 Bewdley and Snuffmill Dingle - easy - 5.0 miles/8.1 km
Walk 2131 Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve, Bewdley - easy - 3.3 miles/5.3 km
Walk 1480 Mount Segg from Harvington Hall - easy - 5.8 miles/9.3 km
Walk 2288 Pound Green and Dowles Brook from Hawkbatch - easy - 5.0 miles/8.1 km
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