5 fantastic Worcestershire walks to explore for National Walking Month

With winter now fading away in the rearview mirror and spring well and truly upon us, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside for a walk.

A light, sunny walk – or, if our wonderful British weather is up to its usual tricks, a rainy one – can be the perfect way to dust off the cobwebs of the colder months and get yourself in the mood for the warmer weather.

No doubt that’s why May is also National Walking Month, a campaign designed to encourage everyone to get outside and make the most of the benefits of a springtime walk. Indeed, not only can walking be good for your physical health, but it can also do your mental wellbeing the power of good.

Being lucky enough to be based in Worcester, we’re surrounded by some of the best walking routes in the country.

So, read on to discover five Worcestershire walks you could enjoy for this National Walking Month.

1. Broadway Tower

Broadway is one of the most well-known settlements in the Cotswolds, a quaint village made up of the classic yellow limestone that the area is so well-known for. Being located around 20 miles from Worcester, it’s a great option for travelling out of the city and into the countryside.

The area is rich with walking trails, and an excellent circular route runs from Broadway high street itself up to Broadway Tower.

Across four miles, you’ll travel from Broadway, along historic trails, and then up to the tower, an 18th-century Grade-II listed building complete with corner turrets and battlements. Taking the accolade of the Cotswold’s highest tower, the surrounding view is well worth the 2-3 hours the route typically takes.

Afterwards, coming back to Broadway offers you the chance to explore local shops, cafes, and restaurants in a stunning setting.

2. Stourport Basins

Located in north Worcestershire, Stourport-on-Severn is an ideal location for walking, thanks to the presence of the canal running through it.

Originally, as Stourbridge was a centre of glass production, the Stourbridge Canal was built to bring coal from the nearby Dudley up to the bottle kilns, and then take the finished glassware back to market.

You can explore the Stourport basins and see all the different narrow boats moored there. Or, head off down the towpath to enjoy a walk of around half a mile long from Glasshouse Bridge down to Bottom End Bridge.

Along the way, you should spot plenty of wildlife and birds, while also seeing the incredible infrastructure, such as the ingenious locks, that transformed industrial travel and made the UK a powerhouse economy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

This is a more relaxing walk rather than some of the other hikes in the area, bringing plenty of charm with an interesting dose of history alongside.

3. Wyre Forest

Wyre Forest is the largest native oak woodland in the UK, and is a district now comprising of three main towns: Bewdley, Kidderminster, and Stourport-on-Severn.

Once a medieval hunting forest known as the Forest of Wyre, the area is now a popular visitor attraction.

There are a variety of different trails you could take on throughout the Wyre Forest district. Three routes recommended by Forestry England in the Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve itself, just to the west of Kidderminster near Callow Hill, include the:

• Arboretum walking trail, the longest trail of the three that takes you through mixed woodland, forest pools, and the arboretum itself
• Easy access trail, a flatter trail that’s suitable for mobility scooters and pushchairs – although bear in mind there is a steeper uphill section near the end

• Giants walking trail, taking you past the arboretum and down into the “Valley of the Giants” where you’ll find imposing Douglas Firs.

Thanks to the accessibility of these various routes, you’ll be able to find one that suits you.

4. Diglis Bridge Loop

While you might think you have to head out into the countryside to find an exciting and interesting walk, you can actually find one in the middle of Worcester itself in the form of the Diglis Bridge Loop. This is one walk that I do very regularly with my own family, given that I live quite near to the river in Worcester.

Starting from the iconic Worcester Bridge, this four-kilometre loop takes you down past the cathedral to the south, all the way to Diglis Island, crossing at Diglis Bridge. From there, come back up north, following the River Severn as you go until you arrive back at Worcester Bridge in the heart of the city.

A simple and straightforward route that typically won’t take much longer than an hour and a half, this walk is a chance to really appreciate everything in Worcester itself. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to visit some of the museums and impressive landmarks, too.

5. Worcestershire Beacon

You might have read our previous blog about the 10 best tourist spots in the county, in which we included a walk in the Malvern Hills. And indeed, thanks to its status as an area of outstanding natural beauty, it’s impossible to create a list of Worcestershire walks without including at least one from the Malverns.

One of the most interesting – and certainly challenging – routes is the circular through the Malvern north quarry and Worcestershire Beacon.

Starting from the North Quarry car park, this three-mile route will take around two hours, seeing you ascend 784 feet as you travel up the hills. It also takes you up to North Hill, the second-highest peak in the Malverns, before getting to Worcestershire Beacon itself, featuring an 1897 toposcope.

This is a walk with stunning views that will really get the blood pumping if you take it on – just keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

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If you’d like support from an experienced financial planner in Worcester, please do get in touch with us at Britannic Place.

Email info@britannicplace.co.uk or call 01905 419890 today.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.