Ministering the Flock

1 From the car park, facing the minster, turn right on to Church Street and walk up to the junction at the top, with the Saracen's Head opposite.

2 Turn right, then cross the road and turn left into Queen Street. Follow this for 350yds (320m), then turn left on to a short drive, opposite a road called The Ropewalk. At the end, continue uphill on an alleyway by a school, and at the far corner turn right along the top of the playing field. At a junction of tracks go forwards, down a few steps, and on along a path behind gardens. Eventually you cross a road and continue on a field-edge path on the far side. Where this approaches the bend of a road turn sharply right for a short path across the field. Cross the road at the far side and go through a gap in the hedge and a gate to pick up a broad track past a fruit farm (masses of strawberries are a common sight here), and an orchard on the right.

3 At a junction of tracks continue straight across, on to a firmer drive (signposted 'public footpath'). To the left is a rather grand-looking house, while to the right is a small fishing lake. This is all part of Norwood Park.

4 Walk along the drive past the golf course and at the road at the end turn right, then turn left almost immediately on to a lane indicated 'Maythorne'.

5 After a couple of bends the lane is crossed by the former Mansfield-Southwell railway line, which has been turned into a pleasant walking and cycling route known as the Southwell Trail. For a quicker and easier return to Southwell, turn right and follow its unswerving course for just under 1 mile (1.6km) to the car park at the end. Otherwise continue to the far end of the lane and go through the former mill buildings in order to turn left, across the bridge, and then veer right at a choice of paths. Go over a short footbridge and stile, and turn right for a riverside path along the River Greet (this is also the route of the waymarked Robin Hood Way).

6 After just over a mile (1.6km) you reach another converted mill building. Turn right on to Station Road and walk up past the Southwell Trail car park and Newcastle Arms pub to the crossroads. Go over this and walk across the tree-lined Burgage Green. On the right is an intimidating stone gatehouse complete with iron grid bars, all that remains of a 19th-century 'House of Correction'. At the war memorial at the far end take the side road half left, and at the end of this turn left on to Burgage Lane. Just before Hill House turn right on to a narrow alleyway called Becher's Walk which will take you all the way down to Church Street. Turn left for the minster and car park.