North of Hall Farm towards Heywood Hall 4.5km/2.7m(approx.) – OS Explorer Map 230.
This walk takes you across open fields above Hall Farm north of Mill Green and towards Heywood Hall before turning south towards Back Heywood Road finally returning to Mill Road. Start at grid reference TM 134839 or TM137833
Start at the car park at The Space Wellbeing Centre on Mill Road; alternatively, you could start in the middle of the village by the Burston Crown and then walk up Mill Road to The Space, which is approximately 800m.
Follow Mill Road up towards Mill Green and then take Long Lane straight in front of you heading for the big water tower in the distance. Just beyond the entrance for Plantation Farm there are two large trees either side of the lane. On the left is a finger post showing a field margin path heading west. Either continue along Long Lane to the water tower or follow the field margin path running parallel to the lane arriving at a concrete hard standing opposite the water tower.
Turn left here past a large earth mound heading for a farm track by a large oak tree. Turn right here to follow the farm track north for approx. 500 metres before coming to a path on the field margin to the left with a small copse in the distance.
Turn left on to this path and follow the field edge past a small pond hidden amongst the copse. Continue to the end of the field and aim for a large gap in the hedge leading to another field margin.
Turn left on going through the gap and follow the field margin around to the right heading for a wooded area in the far distance with the hedge on your left.
Just before reaching the woodland bear left through the large gap and at the junction with the footpath heading north into the woodland turn left to follow the field margin south.
At the bottom of this field you will see a small gap in the hedge in front of you just over to the left.
Go through this gap and you are now heading south towards Hall Farm, initially with a ditch and hedge on your left before coming to a large crop field with the hedge now on your right and the wind turbine at Hall Farm in the distance.
Follow this path all the way down the edge of the field enjoying the views and maybe a deer or two. Bear left slightly to follow a farm track south to a brick building in the distance.
When you arrive at the brick building in front of you turn right to meet Back Heywood lane. Turn left here past two houses before a sharp bend, (watch and listen out for traffic). Back Heywood will now lead you all the way to Mill Green passing Back Lane on your right and Hall Farm on your left.
On arrival at Mill Green have a rest on the Don Swanton Memorial bench and enjoy the thatched cottage on your left which was once occupied by the Higsons who taught at the Strike School (see the museum in village centre).
Head back down Mill Road to your starting point.
If you are following this walk on the parish council’s website there are photos referred to in the walk plus a sketch map showing the route to follow.
Happy walking and don’t forget keep to the footpaths, don’t pick any wildflowers and clear up after your four legged companion, others will follow you and want to enjoy the countryside as hopefully you have done.
