Cheswardine Walks – Walk 1 – The Wharf, Haywood Farm

Walk directions

1. Step 1

   Turn left out of the car park and go straight ahead into a narrow lane between the houses (Hell Lane). Go through a gate then keep ahead in a straight line with the hedge on the right. Go over a stile, and head diagonally left to a stile by an oak tree.

2. Step 2

   Turn right along Westcott Lane. Follow the road for 500m and cross Halleman's Bridge (No 53) over the Shropshire Union Canal. Follow the road round to the right.

3. Step 3

   As the road turns sharp left, turn immediately right along a concrete lane. Follow the road round to the left. As the road ends, do not go over the bridge (No 54) but go ahead through trees then follow the canal tow path left to the next bridge, No 55.

4. Step 4

   At bridge No 55 leave the canal and turn right along the road crossing back over the canal. The Wharf Public House is on the left.

5. Step 5

   On reaching a T junction turn left. This road can be busy. Continue for approx 250m and take a right turn at a waymarker into the field. Go straight ahead and cross over a stile in the corner of the field. Go through the woods taking care as this path does get overgrown. Cross a stile to exit the wooded area, turn right walking along the edge of the field.

6. Step 6

   When you come to the farm track (approx 300m) turn right, after 40m turn left and walk up the field with fence on your left, passing through a hedge and continue through to the next field. At the end of the hedge turn right heading towards Haywood Drumble.

7. Step 7

   Go through a gate and walk through the Drumble. Go over another stile to exit the wooded area and head for the corner in the left of the field. Turn right and head back to a stile in the corner of the field and re-enter the Drumble where there are a number of ponds. Carry on straight ahead into a field.

8. Step 8

   Go over a stile, keeping the hedge on the right, to the next stile and enter Lawn Drumble. This area is covered in bluebells and wild garlic in May. Walk through the woods, crossing a bridge and stile at the end. Carry on diagonally across the field to the corner of the next wooded area.

9. Step 9

   Carry straight on and the path runs into Lawn Lane. The lane joins the main road at St Swithun's Church. Carry straight on with the church on the left and the Fox and Hounds on the right. Go past the Red Lion on the right and walk through the village turning right into Podmore Rd. The Parish Hall is on the left.