The best walks and hikes around Wyre Forest

Explore one of the largest remaining ancient woodlands in Britain

Wyre Forest covers an area of 6,509 acres (2,634 ha) on the border between Worcestershire and Shropshire and is popular with hikers, cyclists and horse riders. Much of the woodland is unmanaged, while Forestry England stewards about half of its area and there are myriad walking trails to discover.

Wildlife abounds during hikes around Wyre Forest and in the warmer months there is a symphony of natural sounds to enjoy. The woodland is inhabited by adders and a variety of bird species, including flycatchers, common redstart, long-eared owls and wood warblers. Dogs are welcome on the trails as long as they are kept under control.

Severn heaven

Many of the best hiking routes around Wyre Forest district follow the magnificent River Severn, which flows through the pretty Georgian towns of Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn. On the trails north of Bewdley, you may be accompanied by the evocative sight and sound of a steam train chuntering along the Severn Valley Railway, a heritage line between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster.

Attractive towns, picturesque villages and splendid countryside

Walks around Wyre Forest District often feature the possibility of ending up in a cosy cafe or charming country pub in one of its towns or villages. The town of Bewdley enjoys an attractive riverside setting and is a great base for exploring the Wyre Forest, as well as for setting off for an amble along the Severn. 

Kidderminster is the largest town in the district and boasts numerous parks and nature reserves, such as the impressive heathland of the Devil’s Spiteful and Blackstone Farm Fields. A sandstone knoll adorned with Scots pine gives the reserve the first part of its name and makes for a fine objective.

In the south of the district, Stourport-on-Severn developed alongside trade on the Stafffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, which was built in 1771. The town became the second busiest inland port in the Midlands, behind Birmingham. From its Georgian streets you can follow the Rivers Severn and Stour, as well as the canal, or explore its picturesque riverside meadows.