Countryside
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Countryside, footpaths, bridleways and walks

We've created an interactive GoogleMap which shows local footpaths, bridleways and suggested walks.  View these by selecting the link below.

See the paths on our Parish Map


The duty to ensure public rights of way are available for the use and enjoyment of the public lies with Worcestershire County Council as the Highway Authority.  The task is carried out by their Countryside Service Access Team.  Find out about the Countryside Service here.

Whilst the County Council has this overall responsibility, maintenance responsibility is generally divided between the Council and landowners.

The County Council is responsible for:

  • Signposting paths where they leave a metalled road
  • Waymarking paths along the route of the path
  • Clearance of undergrowth i.e. natural vegetation growing through the surface
  • Maintenance of most bridges and smaller ditch crossings
  • Ensuring landowners comply with their responsibilities

Landowners are responsible for:

  • Maintenance of gates and stiles
  • Clearance of overgrowth i.e. vegetation growing from the sides or above
  • Re-instatement of paths after ploughing
  • Keeping paths clear of crops
  • Making sure they don't obstruct paths in other ways
The AONB and Conservation Area
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An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is exactly what it says it is: a precious landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation's interest to safeguard them.

Our AONB is part of The Cotswolds(National Association of AONBs) - the largest of 40 AONBs in England and Wales, and the third largest protected landscape after the Lake District and Snowdonia. The Cotswolds are nationally important for their rare limestone grassland habitat and for ancient beechwoods with rich flora. Jurassic limestone gives the Cotswolds their distinctive character, and an underlying unity in its use as a building material throughout the area.

Bredon Hill contains a Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) for deadwood invertebrates. It is also a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) testify to the great variety of wildlife and habitats found in our AONB.


Find more information at http://www.aonb.org.uk/


The Countryside and Rights of Way Act, 2000 (the 'CRoW' Act) added further regulation and protection, ensuring the future of AONBs as important national resources.

To contact us about this website please email us by clicking here.
For all other questions and comments for the Parish Council please contact the Parish Clerk, Barbara Peacock on 710648.

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This website is managed on behalf of Elmley Castle, Bricklehampton & Netherton Parish Council on a voluntary basis.  We try to keep all pages as up to date as possible but some information may be incorrect.  If you notice an error please contact us.  Any views and opinions expressed on this website do not necessarily represent the collective view of the Elmley Castle, Brickehampton and Netherton Parish Council nor the views of individual members.