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Midlands & Shropshire
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Library of walks |
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Three walks on the Abberley Hills
Though not nearly so well-known as the Malverns, the Abberley hills to their north offer some equally beautiful walking country. These quiet and charming hills have remains of an iron-age settlement, links with the civil war and today are home to hops and asparagus. They also offer surprise distant views and you may see deer, not to mention Worcestershire’s very own Big Ben! Walk 1. This 10-mile walk takes you through lanes and orchards, along a fine ridge, and reveals a spectacular ruin. About 1000ft of ascent, in total. Park at Great Witley village hall (free). Approaching from Worcester on the A443, the car park entrance is on the right, just before the Martley turn. OS grid ref* SO 758658. Map Walk 2. This walk takes in leafy woodland, lush pastures and hidden valleys and brooks, going from the edge of the Vale of Severn over Woodbury Hill to the Teme valley, returning over Flagstaff Hill. 10 miles. Parking as for Walk 1. Map. Walk
3.
This is a walk of contrasts. The first part is along quiet lanes
and across fields and apple orchards. Then the character of the walk
changes, as we make the short ascent of Rodge Hill and suddenly have
arresting views westwards. This vantage point high above the Teme makes
a good lunch spot. Next, we follow the wooded ridge of the Abberley
Hills northwards, reaching another magnificent viewpoint, looking
towards Shropshire’s Clee Hills. The walk also features a surprise
quarry and the spectacular ruin of Witley Court, from where you may also
like to make a short detour to look at the rather amazing interior of
Great Witley parish church. Parking as for Walk 1. 11 miles.
Two walks on beautiful Clent
They're only minutes from Birmingham and the Black Country, yet the Clent Hills take a lot of beating, with their combination of beautiful walking country and panoramic views of middle England and the Welsh hills from the summits. This is Housman country; AE Housman was born near here and this scenery inspired much of his poetry. Walk 1. This figure-of-eight 9-miler is one of the best Clent walks we know. There are a couple of steep climbs, not too long, but the views are more than ample reward. One for a clear day! Park at the Clent Hills Visitor Centre (NT pay & display, cafe, toilets) on Hagley Wood Lane off the A456 between Halesowen and Hagley, OS grid ref* SO 939807. For a shorter walk, do one half of the figure-of-eight. Map Walk 2. This walk takes in woodland, fields and heathland. There are several follies, including a ruined castle, obelisk and an economy-model stone circle, built by the Lyttleton family (as in Humphrey), whose stately home nestles beneath the hills, and on a clear day there are superb views. 7.5 miles. Park as for Walk 1. Map
A gentle walk in Staffordshire
This is a walk for anyone who appreciates attractive countryside, but doesn't like steep climbs. It takes in parts of the Trent Valley and the gentle rolling hills around Yoxall, where you can buy ice creams. We parked (considerately of course!) in Alrewas, OS grid ref* GR 167153, but you could start from Yoxall if preferred. 12 miles, but you could easily shorten it. Map
Seven lakes, a Roman road, and wild ponies (PT)
Eat your heart out, London! Birmingham's Sutton Park beats your Royal Parks into the proverbial cocked hat. It's big enough to do a good 7 or 8-mile walk in it. A National Nature Reserve, it teems with wildlife (not all of it human), and it's even got a well-preserved Roman road. This 7-mile walk takes in all seven of the park's lakes, woodland, grassland, heathland, the Roman road and, if you're lucky, you'll see the wild ponies. You can park at any of the car parks shown on the map, or access the park by a short walk from Sutton Coldfield station, which is served by frequent Cross-City trains from Birmingham New Street. For info about the park, call in at the Visitor Centre ('V' on the map). Map
A walk in 'Archers' country
East of Droitwich and south of Bromsgrove, around Hanbury, lies a very rural, quiet and unspoiled area of Worcestershire. The walk goes via St Mary’s church Hanbury, better known as St Stephen’s, Ambridge and a fine vantage point. Passing through the grounds of Hanbury Hall, we gain the towpath of the Worcester and Birmingham canal. Here we are only a short walk away from the Tardebigge flight, a stretch of 30 locks in just two miles. After following the towpath south to Shernal Green we take the Wychavon Way to Madam’s Hill and bask to the cars. This is a gentle walk of 11.5 miles. Park at Piper's Hill car park, OS ref* SO 957 652 There is a map here.
Four walks on the Malverns (PT)
The Malvern Hills Act of 1884 was one of the earliest pieces of legislation designed specifically to safeguard an area of outstanding beauty from destructive exploitation. It was hailed by The Times as being of national importance. It created a body of fifteen Conservators to keep watch over the common land, and thus the Malverns have been managed and preserved to this day, and remain perhaps the most popular area for walkers in the West Midlands. Walk 1: hills and wells. Nowhere in the West Midlands is more popular with walkers than the Malvern Hills. Do this walk and you'll understand why that is. The route takes in St Ann's Well, where you can fill your bottle with the famous Malvern water, together with several of the peaks including the Worcestershire Beacon, from where you can see the Cotswolds, the Abberleys, the Shropshire hills and far into Wales. The walk is 7 miles and there are several steep climbs, which are well worth the effort on a clear day. You can park at Great Malvern railway station, OS grid ref* SO 783456. There are good train services to Malvern from Birmingham and Hereford. Map Walk
2: Herefordshire Beacon.
There’s quite a strenuous first half to this walk over the
central hills of the Malvern range, including a steep climb to the
Herefordshire Beacon. Here there are views westward over the rolling
hills of greenest Herefordshire to the Welsh border and eastward over
the patchwork Vale of Severn to Bredon Hill and the Cotswolds. The walk
continues to Holy Well on the eastern slopes to taste the Malvern water.
Lunch high up on the ridge will set you up for the return leg along the
western side of the hills, briefly through woods and meadows and along a
shady track, ending at a spectacular old stone quarry deep with water. Walk 3: Worcestershire Beacon. This fairly strenuous walk soon takes us from Colwall, nestling below the western slopes, to the highest summit, the Worcestershire Beacon at 1394ft (425m) for a grandstand 360° panorama of the surrounding countryside and distant counties. A stride out south along the airy spine of the hills to British Camp follows, and its welcome refreshment cabin sets us up for the last stage. 9 miles. Park in Colwall railway station car park, OS ref* SO 756 425. There is a map here. Walk 4: the complete Malvern ridge walk. This is a tough walk, with a total distance of 11.5 miles, a total height gain of 3675ft (1120m) and several steep ascents and descents requiring a good level of fitness. It's also a linear walk, so you will need to arrange transport back to the starting point. Still interested? Good! because it's well worth the effort. We tackle the whole range of these grand hills, climbing twenty-one peaks from Chase End in the south to the northern tip. This is a most beautiful walk, and on a clear day the views are outstanding. Parking (south end) Chase End, OS ref* SO 757 349; (north end) West Malvern Road, OS ref* SO 766 473; (in the town) Great Malvern station, OS ref* SO 783 456. For a map of the northern half of the walk, click here; for the southern half, here.
A Shropshire stroll
This is an easy, 7-mile walk in gentle countryside near Telford, taking in the Granville Country Park, the ruins of Lilleshall Abbey and the Lilleshall Monument. You can leave your car at the Granville Country Park car park, OS grid ref* SJ 719125. This can be accessed from the roundabout opposite ASDA in Donnington Wood. Map
Earlswood's lakes and woods (PT)
The Earlswood Lakes were built to supply water to the Stratford Canal. Together with the nearby woods, they now afford attractive easy walking. This short, gentle 5-mile walk takes in all three lakes and the woods, and includes a visit to Manor Farm Craft Centre (cafe, toilets) if you want it. Park at the free car park off Malthouse Lane, Earlswood (OS grid ref* SP 111738), or take the train to The Lakes halt on the Birmingham - Stratford line. Map
A walk on Shropshire's (slightly) wilder side
This walk is a good way west in Shropshire, where the hills are higher and it gets just that little bit wilder. It's a very varied walk, with woodland and parkland as well as ridges giving excellent views to the Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc, and Brown Clee Hill. Park at Aston Munslow village car park (OS grid ref* SO 512864), on the B4368 Bridgnorth to Craven Arms road. The walk is nine miles and not particularly strenuous. Map
The hills of South Shropshire
This
walk visits the South Shropshire Hills, a designated area of outstanding
natural beauty. From the small market town of Cleobury Mortimer we pass
the twelfth century church of St Mary’s with its twisted spire and
make our way up the meandering Rea valley, past stone and timber built
cottages and farms to the open viewpoint of Oreton Common, eventually
returning to the Rea valley and Cleobury where refreshments are
available in the High Street pubs.
Dudmaston and the Severn Valley
A good place to park for this 9-mile walk is Dudmaston Hall (NT, free parking, cafe, toilets), which is 3 miles south of Bridgnorth on the A442, OS ref* 751887. The walk takes in lakes, woods, a high ridge with extensive views, a beautiful valley, and a fascinating ferry that uses the Severn's current to propel it across the river. There is one short, steep climb. Map
Upton-on-Severn and the Hanleys
This is a level and easy walk mainly over farmland with glorious views of the Malvern Hills. We pass through the ancient village of Hanley Castle (the castle surviving as an earthwork) and proceed to pretty Hanley Swan. With its picturesque duck pond, village green and half timbered cottages, this makes an idyllic lunch spot. Our walk concludes with a stretch along the banks of the Severn to the old river port of Upton-upon-Severn. The town once traded in timber and coal from the Forest of Dean and salt, cider, pottery and brick from the north of the county. Nowadays river cruises depart from the old quay and chandlers’ shops line the water’s edge. If there's time you can visit the heritage centre at the historic ‘Pepper Pot‘, or explore the town's planned streets of timber-framed and Georgian buildings. 9 miles. Park in the car park off Old St, Upton, OS ref* SO 851 403. Click here for a map.
A walk in Shakespeare's England (PT)
This walk starts from the attractive old market town of Henley-in-Arden, just a few miles from Stratford in the heart of the Arden country which Shakespeare knew and wrote about. It's gentle, well-wooded country, combining easy walking with lovely countryside. Park in the Prince Harry Road car park (free) off Warwick Road, Henley, OS ref* SP 153657, or travel to Henley by train from Birmingham or Stratford. The walk is 6.5 miles, with no steep climbs. Recommended: (1) the splodge on the map near Limekiln Range at the furthest extent of the walk marks a perfect lunch spot for a warm day; (2) a delicious Henley ice-cream at the end of the walk. Map
The best of Kinver
Right on the edge of the Black Country, Kinver with its famous rock houses, which were inhabited until the 1950s (NT and worth a visit) and its wooded edge, is justly popular with walkers. This highly-recommended 10-mile walk takes you along the edge and through the lovely rolling country to the west. There are superb views, both from the Edge, and later in the walk. Park at the National Trust car park (free) at the north end of Kingsford Lane, just off Compton Road, Kinver. There are a few, fairly short, steep climbs. After the walk, head for tea and cakes in Kinver High Street. OS ref* SO 832835. Map
Two walks in the Severn Valley
Walk
1. This is a gentle walk through some lovely countryside. Our route starts off through Shrawley Wood, passing a
couple of lovely pools as we head down to the banks of Britain’s
longest river. Once the chief route into and out of England’s
heartland, the Severn is still navigable here but it will be pleasure
boats we’ll see as you sit down for your pub or picnic lunch. After a
stroll along the river bank there is a gentle climb to higher ground.
The fascinating Astley Vineyard soon features, then more luscious
woodland and scenic parkland for the last leg. Walk
2.
This walk starts from the picturesque Georgian town of Bewdley,
birthplace of former Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin. The route follows
the course of the River Severn upstream with the Severn Valley Railway
on the opposite bank. You can take lunch at Arley, where you can explore
the railway station and use the tearoom overlooking the river. The
nearby Victoria Bridge featured in the 1978 film version of The
Thirty-Nine Steps. The route back is mainly through the Wyre Forest (one
of England’s most important ancient woodlands) and along the
picturesque Dowles Brook with possible sightings of dippers and
kingfishers. Bewdley has plenty of tearooms at the finish for tea and
cake addicts!
Capability Brown's first landscape
Nine miles south of Worcester lies Croome Park, ‘Capability’ Brown’s first complete landscape park, recently and thoroughly restored. Walking around the perimeter of this fascinating landscape you will see follies, two castles and a classical panorama tower. A country pub with real ale and local cider makes an optional lunchtime attraction. After continuing through fields, along quiet lanes and across parkland the walk returns to the National Trust's visitor centre. These fascinating RAF buildings, dating from 1942, have just been restored into visitor facilities where you can enjoy a Land Girls’ tea in the restored canteen! 8.5 miles. Park at Croome Park NT car park, OS ref* SO 888 452. Click here for a map of the walk.
The peaceful valleys next to Alton Towers
Most visitors to this part of Staffordshire head for the raucous, extreme pleasures of Alton Towers, not realising that a stone's throw away there are beautiful, peaceful valleys. This 10-mile walk in and around the Churnet Valley explores the area's quieter attractions and affords some lovely views. There are a couple of steep climbs. You can park at the free car park opposite the Admiral's House in Mill Road, Oakamoor, OS ref* SK 052446. Map
The 'Cotswolds' of Warwickshire
In south Warwickshire there is an area of charming villages built in a 'Cotswold' style - but without the tourists! This lovely walk takes you through several of them, and affords some fine views. As per map, it's 14 miles long, but at the expense of some road walking, you could shorten it if you liked. There is a short, steep climb at the end. There is parking at Burton Dasset Country Park, which is close to Junction 12 of the M40, at OS Grid ref* SP 394520. Map
Bredon Hill
A
walk through history, culture and nature, in an area rich in tautology
and poetic associations. The name Bredon Hill means Hillhill Hill, both
'bre' and 'don' being ancient words for hill; Bredon inspired AE
Housman's poem “In summertime on Bredon”; and the start point at
Eckington Bridge on the River Avon (which means 'river river') moved AT
Quiller-Couch to write “Upon Eckington Bridge”
Discovering the Shropshire hills
This 8-mile walk starts from the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in School Road, Craven Arms, SY7 9RS (on the A49, on the southern edge of the village; free parking, cafe, shop, toilets). Don't worry, you don't have to climb all the Shropshire hills (though there are some steep ascents, all in the early part of the walk), but although we haven't actually checked it out, we'd guess that you can see all the hills from the vantage points on the route. The latter half of the walk is very gentle. Map
Winchcombe, Cleeve Hill & Belas Knapp
This
walk starts from the lovely old town of Winchcombe, formerly site of a
famous shrine to St Kenelm, who was killed on the Clent Hills (see
above). The walk climbs to the top of Cleeve Hill, the highest point in
the Cotswolds and a superb viewpoint on a clear day, takes in the
ancient long barrow of Belas Knapp and returns to Winchcombe along the
lovely valley of the Beesmoor Brook. About 14 miles. The last part of
the climb to Cleeve Hill is steep, otherwise it's easy walking all the
way. Park in the long-stay
Cotswold hills and villages
This
walk takes a varied route including a section of the Cotswold Way across
open meadows, through woodland and along ridges. With views of Broadway
Tower, the Malverns and the Vale of Evesham, you’ll relish the
landscape. We’ll visit Stanton, Stanway, Snowshill and Laverton,
four of the most beautiful and unspoilt villages in the region. This
walk really shows the Cotswolds at their best. 8 miles. Park
at Stanton village hall car park, OS ref* SP 067 344
Broadway and Chipping Campden
From the chocolate-box village of Broadway we climb onto the Cotswold Edge, from where there are extensive views. The walk takes us via the tiny village of Saintbury to Dover's Hill, a natural amphitheatre and site of the famous 'Cotswold Olympics', at which totally mad English sports take the place of the usual boring Olympic events (shin kicking, anyone?). This is a good lunch spot, with wide views. After lunch we drop down into the lovely Cotswold town of Chipping Campden, with its fine church and mysterious 'gateway to nowhere'. The easy walk back goes via the famous landmark Broadway Tower, a fine viewpoint. From the tower it is downhill all the way back to Broadway. The walk is on good paths, with two short sections of road. There is 1000ft of ascent, including two steep climbs. 8.5 miles. Park in Leamington Road car park, Broadway, OS ref* SP 100 376. Click here for a map of the walk.
Two Elgar trails (PT)
Trail
I. Starting from the University of Worcester, take the footbridge over the Severn
to the city centre where we pass some key buildings associated
particularly with the early life of Sir Edward Elgar. We then make our
way down past the Cathedral to the Severn and stroll along the west
bank to Powick Bridge from where there are good views of the Malverns
and, looking back, the Cathedral. Through typical Worcestershire
countryside we head for the birthplace museum at Upper Broadheath, where
you can explore the house before returning over fields to the
university. Trail
2.
Besides abounding in Victorian architecture, Great Malvern was also home
to the Malvern Festival, for which many works were written by the
town’s most famous long-term inhabitant, Sir Edward Elgar, who at
different times had several homes there during the period when he was
establishing himself as a composer. The walk zig-zags back and forth
between the foothills of the Malverns and the Common, taking in Elgar's
grave and culminating in a short hike up to the Worcestershire Beacon.
After savouring the magnificent views that so inspired the composer we
drop down past St Anne's Well back to the centre of town. 9.5 miles.
Travel to Malvern Link by train, or park at Alexandra
Road, Malvern Link, OS ref* SO 776
471. Map.
A walk in the Mortimer Forest
This 14-mile walk, partly in the Mortimer Forest, starts from a viewpoint overlooking the magnificent castle at Ludlow. After traversing a stretch of the forest, the walk emerges onto high ground with wide views over the hills of Shropshire, Herefordshire and east Wales, including the splendidly-named Lord Hereford's Knob. The return to Ludlow is gentle, and mainly along the Teme Valley. Park at the view point at Whitcliffe on the Wigmore Road out of Ludlow, OS ref* SO 505743, or in the nearby car park. Map
Church Stretton & the Long Mynd
This 10-mile walk starts at Easthope Road car park (pay & display) in Church Stretton (OS ref* SO 454936). The path ascends via the Townbrook Valley onto the Long Mynd, from where there are wonderful views over the surrounding hills. After a descent into the lovely Ashes and Callow hollows, a gentle climb takes us back over the Long Mynd, from where the path descends steeply back to Church Stretton. Map
The Devil's Spittleful and the River Severn (PT)
This gentle 9-mile triangular walk starts from the 'carpet town' of Kidderminster and crosses the Devil's Spittleful, a nature reserve and an area of heathland, before reaching the River Severn just south of Bewdley. The second side of the triangle is a delightful walk along the river to Stourport, from where the return to Kidderminster follows the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. Don't be fooled by the map; this stretch of the walk is actually very pleasant and rural. Park in Kidderminster; on a Sunday, there is usually free parking in Park Lane at OS ref* SO 828760; or travel by train from Birmingham or Worcester. Map
* Click here for info on OS grid references |
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