COUNTRYSIDE CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 ___ Theatre, at southern end of Shakespeare’s Way LDP (5)

4 Floppy-eared small hounds (7)

8 That of a crossbill is crossed! (4)

9 Plymouth ___, deep inlet in the English Channel (5)

10 A flock of e.g. larks ... in maybe, Vyrnwy (4)

11 Away from the sea (6)

12 A harness racing horse’s pig’s foot! (7)

13 Ferret relative with banded brown/white face fur (7)

15 Mouse-like mammals – e.g. pygmy and water (6)

16 See 1 down

18 Riverside LDP from Northants to the Wash – part of Irvine, New Ayrshire! (4,3)

20 Chatted about ... village near Windsor on the Thames Path

Trail (7)

21 See 26 across

23 Finished in Llandovery! (4)

24 E.g. wetland plants used for thatching (5)

25 Wild animal’s den Scottish landowner’s not finished (4)

26/21 across Exmoor’s highest point – disturbed one duck nearby! (7,6)

27 Female part of a plant – in honesty leaves (5)

DOWN

1/16 across Shopkeeper – naive food merchant? (11)

2 Abnormal growth on Quercus tree caused by type of wasp (7)

3 Moved gently, little by little (5)

4 Small yellow-breasted bird with cerulean coloured wings and green back (4,3)

5 Ayrshire ferry town – twisting roads ran around south (9)

6 Large relative of crayfish, turns red when cooked (7)

7 Britain’s longest riverside footpath (6,3)

13 Sort of a deprived ... endangered Chinese deer to be seen at Margam Country

Park (4,5)

14 Animal bred for heavy work, e.g. the Shire breed of the Midlands (9)

17 Circular Scottish trail, name derived from a marauding band of cattle thieves – near cat, perhaps (7)

18 Orchard of e.g. hazel or walnut trees (7)

19 Lancashire village at start of northern Beacons Way – hay well turned (7)

21 Public transport, essential in rural areas (5)

22 Sheeplike ... in Thurso vineyard (5)