Cleobury Country Walk 7: The Bayton Outing

Walk directions

1. Step 1

   From the Church, cross the road using the crossing point opposite the Pharmacy. Turn left and then right down Lion Lane and through a kissing gate at the bottom.

2. Step 2

   Go right, through gap in hedge and diagonally uphill to a stile into the next field. Go diagonally left uphill, over a stile then diagonally right over another stile. Continue in same direction over the brow and down to a gate in the bottom right hand corner.

3. Step 3

   Go through a gate and right along a track. In the next field, veer left to go diagonally uphill across a field past a large oak tree.  At the top go over a stile into another field.

4. Step 4

   Continue with the field boundary on your left. Go through a gate to spectacular views over the TEME VALLEY. Continue in the same direction downhill. Go through a gate and left to follow a track to REASIDE MANOR. Please respect the privacy of the residents of this private house as you continue through the property and into a field.

5. Step 5

   In the field beyond the manor, bear slightly right towards a shallow cutting leading into trees and over a stile. Follow the path along the dam of a pool and over a stile. Note: at the time of writing the dam has collapsed and the route meanders through the derelict pond.

6. Step 6

   Head diagonally left downhill to a footbridge and go over the River Rea. Head uphill on the same line over a stile and onto the bed of an OLD RAILWAY.

7. Step 7

   Go over the stile opposite and then head slightly left uphill past a group of three trees and in the same direction to the left corner of a wood. Follow the tree line to a stile, along the dam of a pool, then another stile into the SHAKENHURST ESTATE. Continue in same direction to the Estate road.

8. Step 8

   Turn left along the estate road for half a mile to Bayton. (A short detour to BAYTON CHURCH is recommended). Turn left and then right at a fork. Where this lane bears right, go over a stile on your left.

9. Step 9

   Keep the hedge on your left downhill and back over the disused railway. Continue downhill and over a footbridge to a track. Turn left to follow this to the local beauty spot of LOWER FORGE.

10. Step 10

    Continue over the footbridge, uphill through a stableyard and eventually to a lane.  Turn right and steeply downhill and where the lane goes sharp right go straight ahead and right shortly over a stile into a wooded area.

11. Step 11

    Follow the path alongside the brook and uphill to another stile. Go uphill along a narrow field, and over a stile at the top. Continue in the same direction. The steeple of Cleobury Church should now be visible. Go through a gap with a seat to your left and a view over Cleobury. Go downhill to the kissing gate and uphill to the church.