Knowles Mill – Butterfly Trail loop from Bliss Gate
Knowles Mill – Butterfly Trail loop from Bliss Gate
5.0
(3)
22
hikers
Knowles Mill – Butterfly Trail loop from Bliss Gate
04:17
15.7km
240m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: August 18, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
338 m
Gruffalo Statues
Highlight • Structure
Tip by
431 m
Wooden Totem Pole
Highlight • Structure
659 m
Go Ape Wyre Forest
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
5.64 km
Mercian Way Marker
Highlight • Monument
6.05 km
Worcestershire Natural Flood Management Project – Leaky Dams in Wyre Forest
Highlight • Natural Monument
The aim of this project is to reduce flooding in
the Dowles Brook catchment, by implementing at large number of small scale, natural interventions in upstream areas to help slow the flow of water and hold it back during times of high flows. These measures involve working on the tributaries of the Dowles Brook and could include things such as planting hedges, creating wetland areas. attenuation ponds, leaky dams, soll aeration and other land management techniques
The intention is to slow the flood peak on the
Dowdes so it does not coincide with the flood
peak on the River Severn at Bewdley.
Water moving at speed through the landscape is incredibly destructive and leads to erosion, soil loss and widespread damage, therefore slowing down the water has a wealth of positive impacts.
It is the intention that many more features will be installed over the riext few years with the aim of slowing the flow throughout the catchment.
If you would like more information, or are
a landowner who is keen to get involved.
please contact the NFM Project Officer al
Worcestershire County Council.
worcestershire.gov.uk/NFM
Natural Flood Management - Leaky Dams
Trees are sourced from the immediate stream side and used to build a lattice. Over time, especially in high flow, smaller woody debris accumulates naturally, and this increases the effectiveness of the leaky dam.
The dars are wedged behind living tree stumps to prevent them moving or floating away, over time they bed in and naturalise as part of the landscape.
Leaky dams work with nature, providing a food source and habitat for wildlife. This timber lattice allows wildlife, such as fish, to move freely upstream and downstream.
Leaky dams are constructed to allow free passage of water in normal flows, and only hold water back when required during high rainfall. The backed up water is pushed out of the channel into appropriate sites upstream where silts are deposited.
A single structure has little impact, but a series of leaky dams at various locations can help reduce the risk of flooding downstream.
Felling by the river bank allows more sunlight to reach the watercourse and its banks. This leads to the growth of marginal vegetation, creating further food sources and habitats for wildlife.
Tip by
10.4 km
Knowles Mill
Highlight • Historical Site
Tip by
11.7 km
Butterfly Trail
Highlight • Trail
Tip by
14.2 km
Lords Yard Coppice
Highlight • Natural Monument
This area of the forest is known as "semi-natural ancient forest". It is 'natural' as it has never been replanted, but has been worked on a coppice system for at least 400 years.
In 1951, this area was about to be clear felled by the then owner so it was bought to avoid this.
From the 1930s to the 1980s there was virtually no forestry activity of the sort that had been practised historically, Coppicing started up again in 1980 when the first coupe (a clear felled area leaving only larger trees) was felled, halfway along the ride from here to the top of Unellys Farm field.
The general appearance is now much more like it was in the period up to about 1930 with open areas dolled around.
Tip by
15.7 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.55 km
6.57 km
226 m
223 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
5.81 km
4.44 km
2.75 km
1.59 km
589 m
490 m
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Elevation
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Tuesday 25 August
25°C
14°C
49 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Comments
Want to know more?
Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.
Sign up for free