Details of the Walk

A 5 mile walk following meandering brooks and streams, and with extensive views towards the Cotswolds.

The walk starts from the lay-by on Longdon Hill, accessed off the A44, signed Badsey (nearest postcode WR11 7RR) and is indicated by the disc ‘Evesham Vale Circular Walk 6’.

1. From the lay-by go through the kissing gate and cross the field to a second kissing gate. Cross the A44 with care and go through the field gate. Keep in the same direction passing through another gate. You will see over to the left, Wickhamford Mill.

This is a former flour mill which has a history dating back to the Domesday Survey carried out in 1086. It has recently been restored by the Midlands Mills Group.

Now go through the kissing gate ahead to follow Badsey Brook with extensive views of the Cotswolds and Broadway Tower to your left. Cross the footbridge and the path is clearly defined with the brook now on your right. Keep ahead to follow the drive into Murcot.

2. At the T-junction turn left and walk up the roadside to a footpath on your right. Go through the kissing gate and follow the left boundary to pass through another kissing gate. Over to the right you can see Bredon Hill and Dumbleton Hill. Keep in the same direction to eventually reach a road. Cross to the kissing gate and beyond it, follow the left fence to a footbridge.

Here you will see the last of the Stations of the Cross that start at The House of the Open Door, an Ecumenical Christian Community and Retreat Centre based in Childswickham.

Go through the pedestrian gate and cross diagonally left to another pedestrian gate. Beyond this, follow the right boundary to pass through a third gate onto a metalled bridleway. Turn left and you are now on the Wychavon Way, the 40 mile long distance path that runs between the Spa Town of Droitwich and picturesque Broadway on the edge of the Cotswolds. This will take you into Childswickham.

3. At the crossroads go straight ahead down the lane to reach a monument and then turn right towards the church. Continue on the Wychavon Way and opposite the church kissing gate, turn left to go over a footbridge by a house. On reaching the road by The Old Vicarage turn right and follow the path between two hedges. At Chapel Cottage turn left, passing the story board about the chapel that stood at this location. Continue until you reach a road and turn left. Passing the Memorial Hall on the right you will see the fine,
timbered Atkinson House with its 1349 wall plaque. Follow the road round and turn right into Blacksmiths Lane.

4. At the T-junction, cross the road with care and go through the kissing gate. You will notice that the next two fields are ridge and furrow.

Ridge and furrow is an archaeological pattern of ridges and troughs created by a system of ploughing used during the Middle Ages, typical of the open-field system.

Follow the right-hand boundary to a stile and keep in the same direction to a further stile at the end of the hedge. Beyond this stile follow the left boundary, passing Old Well Farm. At the end of the barn, cross to the footpath opposite now with the hedge on your right. Ignore any gaps in the hedge and continue ahead to reach an open field. Turn right and follow the field boundary to a stile by a field gate. Continue in the same direction to reach a road.

5. Cross to the wooden pedestrian gate and take the path, following the stream to reach a bridle gate. Beyond the gate turn right, skirting the field. Go through a second bridle gate and cross the field to reach the road. Cross with extreme caution and turn right on the roadside footpath. Follow the grass verge round to the left, then continue on the roadside path on Longdon Hill, passing the bus stop to reach the lay-by where the walk started.

About Evesham Vale Circular Walks

This is one of six circular walks to choose from based in the Vale of Evesham.

The walks are managed and maintained by Evesham Rambling Club as part of a project to attract walkers to the area.

Each walk is supported by a leaflet and is waymarked throughout. A QR code on the waymarker discs allows you to access details whilst on the walks.

1. Evesham Country Park
2. Evesham, Badsey, Wickhamford, Aldington
3. The Littletons, Offenham, Cleeve Prior
4. Evesham, Netherton, Elmley Castle
5. Evesham, Charlton, Cropthorne
6. Wickhamford, Murcot, Childswickham