Studley + optional pub lunch

Distance of walk: 7.25 miles – morning 4.75 miles (including short break), afternoon 2.5 miles. Pleasant easy walking throughout. Note: lunch at the pub is optional. For those who wish to do the morning walk only, the estimated finish time is 1.30pm. Or you may prefer to bring your own lunch to eat nearby and then if you wish join the group for a drink. Morning walk 4.75 miles  Soon after leaving the pub we enter a field, cross a small stream and follow an easy field path to a group of semi-abandoned looking farm buildings, cross attractive estate land, take a short circuit round the edge of woodland, then pick up the Arden Way which we follow to the small wooded Mars Hill where we take a short break;  after briefly retracing our steps we keep to the Arden Way towards Studley Castle – not really a castle, more a Victorian fantasy incorporating a modern hotel complex.  Here we get lovely views to the valley and beyond.  A pleasant easy descent passes Studley church, into a field where we follow the River Arrow back to Studley for lunch. Afternoon walk 2.5 miles  We return to the River Arrow and follow its grassy banks for three-quarters of a mile before turning off into Studley Thorns, part of the Heart of England Forest, mature trees and more recent plantings. We follow rides as they are sometimes called, good firm paths weaving in and around the woodland and open spaces.  Arriving back at the church, we follow lanes back into Studley.