Merseysiders who have not walked in this area of Allerton and Woolton are missing a treat. The walk, entirely within the city boundary, is about 3 miles (5 km) in length and makes no use of roads. If you're looking for peace and quiet, try and do it on a sunny weekday morning - you will have it almost to yourself and you can get a spot of lunch in Woolton Village at the end. The route is almost entirely on good quality paths, either hard surfaced or firm ground; very little is muddy, even after wet weather. So walking boots are not essential, but strong comfortable shoes are recommended. The Green Belt Trail itself is not a circular route. A route back to the start of a little over 2 miles (3 km) is suggested at the end. This largely follows pleasant suburban roads. My thanks to Colin Buckman, who suggested including a visit to the Walled Garden in Woolton Wood and supplied the information.

The relevant Ordnance Survey 1:25000 Explorer map is No. 275. For further information on the locations visited, click on the images. See also ...

Start at the Four Seasons entrance [1] to Calderstones Park (with its eponymous statues). Go along the broad path until you reach a glasshouse housing the neolithic Calderstones [2]. Turn right at the Rose Garden [3], then left and right again along a path that leads through a gap in a wall.

Here the Rhododendron Walk [4] crosses. In springtime this is a blaze of colour and if you are here in May you will also experience the heavy exotic scent of the nearby azalea bushes. Our walk turns left here, but you can go along to the right and then retrace your steps. Go straight ahead through the wrought iron gates, past the spectacular (in summer) summer border. On the left as you approach the Georgian Mansion House [6] is the entrance to the English and Japanese Gardens [5], well worth a detour. Follow the path to the left of the Mansion House, where there is a small caf‚ with toilets behind.

Take the path on the right behind the Mansion House, opposite the entrance to the administrative buildings. Follow this round to the left past the horses' grave and, where it curves right, note the ancient Allerton Oak [7]. Follow the curve of the path to the right and at the end of the rockery [8] turn left into a broad open space.

As the lake [9] comes into view, turn right onto a path leading down to it. Turn left at the lake to follow the line of the railings. At the end of the lake, bear left to join the main path through the park and exit by the car park onto Yew Tree Road. Cross Yew Tree Road diagonally to the right to enter a narrow footpath between sandstone boundary walls. Follow this to the end where Allerton Golf Course lies in front. If you turn left here (which our walk doesn't) you come out near the John Lennon House. Near the end of the path is a gap in the wall on the left, where there is a nice secluded woodland area. If you feel like a rest, this is a peaceful place to sit. Back on our main route, turn right on reaching the golf course and follow the curve of the railings to join the main drive up to the club house [10].

Take the path that goes just behind the club house. Along here on the right, note an incongruous looking neoclassical colonnade [11]. These are the ruins of Allerton Manor and it is worth a quick look around the other side for a better view. A bit further on the right is a sandstone obelisk [12]. Here the path bends round to the left and eventually becomes indistinct. You have to cross the golf course at this point, so do so with care and courtesy to the golfers. Bear round to the right as you cross, aiming for a spot to the left of some converted farm buildings in the trees opposite, where a broad path runs to left and right.

Our route is straight ahead to follow the path that runs between sandstone boundary walls. A variation is possible here, taking in Allerton Tower park, but our route has a more 'rural' feel. To visit the park, turn left onto the path running alongside the golf course and shortly you will see a gate in the wall on the right. This is the back entrance into Allerton Tower and you can follow the path here through to the main entrance on Woolton Road. Note the remains of Allerton Tower as you go through.

The far end of the path on our main route comes out onto Woolton Road next to the Allerton Tower entrance. Bear right across the dual carriageway towards the gateposts beside the entrance to Clarke Gardens. Go through and follow the path along the line of trees. To the left is another pleasant woodland area that is worth exploring using the tracks. Eventually there is a high wall on the right. Continue alongside this to the end and turn right. Ahead is Allerton Hall [13], which is now a pub that you may find a welcome prospect at this point.

Immediately before you reach Allerton Hall, turn left along the track through the trees to join the path you were on before at a gate. Turn right and go down to a road. Cross this diagonally to the left and then cross the approach road to the crematorium [14]. Look out for a public footpath sign and follow this path to the right of an embankment. Where you reach railings on both sides, you need to be careful because of brambles. Eventually you emerge on Hillfoot Road, where you cross the dual carriageway diagonally to the right and enter Camp Hill by a lodge house. Go ahead up to the top of the hill. On the right here have a look at the curiously named Dutch Garden of Meditation [15], a tranquil spot with a sunken garden and pond that could do with a bit of restoration when last visited.

Go back and keep straight ahead with expansive views towards Wales on the left. This is a spot to sit awhile and absorb the scene (you will probably need to). Keep left as you enter Woolton Wood and follow the path around to the right with Woolton Manor [16] on your left. Turn right at the end to the Walled Garden [17], formally laid out and with a floral clock that I am informed not only used to tell the time but make a 'cuckoo' sound (presumably unsettling for those of a nervous disposition). Return the way you came and keep straight ahead. As you are coming out of the woods, you see Woolton Village ahead. Soon you are at the gate on High Street [18] and the end of the Green Belt Trail. Woolton Village offers a variety of pubs and restaurants for your refreshment.

If you are walking back to the start of the Green Belt Trail, this is a pleasant route. Cross over High Street and turn right. Turn left into Quarry Street South, right into Allerton Road and left into Church Road. As you go up the hill, St. Peter's Church [19] (with Eleanor Rigby's grave) is on the left. At the top of the hill, by the entrance to Reynolds Park, turn left into Reservoir Road. The reservoir [20] marks Liverpool's highest point at ground level, a vertiginous 292 ft (89 m). Turn right at the end into Quarry Street and pass the ancient looking sandstone buildings of Newstead Farm. Turn left at the end into Beaconsfield Road.

Near the bottom of the hill on the left is the much-visited gate to Strawberry Field children's home [21]. At the junction with Menlove Avenue, Calderstones Park is on the opposite corner. Cross by the pedestrian lights and turn left into Yew Tree Road, or, if your are in Beatles nostalgia mode, take a quick detour to the left down Menlove Avenue to have a look at the John Lennon House [22]. Down Yew Tree Road on the right is the park entrance that you emerged from earlier. Follow the main path to your starting point at the far end.