7 Walks In Worcestershire You Need To Experience

 

There are lots of walks in Worcestershire with over 3,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways running through its varied landscapes. 100 miles of these are to be found in the walking routes of the Malvern Hills – but you don’t need to be a seasoned hiker to appreciate the countryside of Worcestershire. There are country parks, ancient woodland ways, historical trails and riverside walks that are all suitable for a leisurely stroll or a wander with the kids.

Here are 7 of the most scenic circular walks in Worcestershire that you need to experience.

Broadway Tower Walk

A four-mile loop that starts at the Cotswold village of Broadway, takes you along part of the area’s national trail and heads up to the second-highest point in the Cotswolds. This is a great walk for families, though little legs may need to save some energy for a few climbs. 

Pass through parkland and fields that lead away from Broadway before picking up the Cotswold Way. The route then reaches St Eadburgha’s Church, named after the granddaughter of Alfred the Great who began her journey to sainthood by choosing the bible over jewels as a childhood gift. The ascent up Coneygreen Lane then slowly winds its way up to Broadway Tower. 

Reward yourself with a picnic at the top while taking in the views – or stop in the tower’s café. The walk then winds its way back down another section of the Cotswold Way to head back to where you started.

Check out the best campsites in Worcestershire.

Hanbury Circular Walk

This-seven mile circular walk passes by canals, through wheat fields and along a woodland trail in parts of the Hanbury Hall Park. The start of the trail is at Gateway Park on the Droitwich Canal, less than a mile from the historic salt town of Droitwich Spa. The walk then heads along the towpath of the restored 18th-century Droitwich Canal and across the bridge at Hanbury Wharf. 

On your way, you’ll pass through a local nature reserve, and follow a longer waterside stretch on the route of the Birmingham-Worcester Canal. The return leg begins by passing the parish church of St Mary the Virgin, which stands on its hilltop position surveying its flock, before looping back through fields of sheep and the National Trust estate of Hanbury Hall.

Search cheap campsites near Droitwich.

Bewdley River and Rail Walk

This four- or eight-mile walk explores the Severn Valley alongside sections of its heritage railway with the option to catch the steam train back from Upper Arley. Alternatively, you can make it a circular walk by following the west bank of the River Severn before crossing over to return on the opposite side. Start at Bewdley and explore its characterful Georgian buildings with antique shops and tea shops before picking up the trail at the town’s Victorian railway station. 

From here, the route enters the shady wooded valleys of the Severn before passing under the cast-iron Victoria Bridge to reach Upper Arley. You can then board the train back on the Severn Valley Railway, one of our best things to do in Worcestershire. To opt to return under your own stream, cross the river to meander back along the eastern riverbank.

Browse the best campsites in Bewdley.

The Hairstreak Butterfly Trail

So named because of the rare Brown Hairstreak butterfly found in the ancient woodlands of Grafton Woods, this is a 6.5-mile trail that follows part of the long-distance Wychavon Way. It also passes through an area of the former royal Forest of Feckenham, which once covered most of Worcestershire and where a young Geoffrey Chaucer was employed as keeper of the King’s Lodge. 

The waymarked walk starting at the village of Grafton Flyford wanders through the East Worcestershire countryside. Grafton Woods is a nature reserve managed by Butterfly Conservation and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. Beneath the canopy of oak and ash in among coppiced hazel and birch areas are abundant wildflowers that provide the ideal habitat for the largest Brown Hairstreak population in the Midlands. There are lots of other rare and rather lovely butterflies to spot along the way too.

Take a look through rural campsites near Evesham.

Worcestershire Beacon loop from Great Malvern

A satisfying hike for the more agile, this circular walk from Great Malvern is a little over eight miles. The walk heads up the lower slopes of the Malvern Ridge with notable wild bluebell displays in spring before reaching High Hill Point and then a refreshing pause at the Westminster Bank Spring. From there the route continues to the highest point of the Malvern Hills marked by the Worcestershire Beacon. It then drops down to Earnslaw Lake and reaches the endpoint back at the town where composer Edward Elgar spent much of his life.

Browse campsites near Malvern.

Abberley Hill Walk

This is a five-mile waymarked trail that makes a relatively easy walk, exploring a loop section of the Worcestershire Way with a fantastic view from Abberley Hill at the midpoint. 

The walk commences at Abberley village hall car park, near the Norman church and opposite the Manor Arms pub. From here the route picks up the Worcestershire Way and gently climbs up the Abberley Hills ridge through sections of woodland. A lovely vista will suddenly open out to reveal the clock tower of Abberley Hall, which rises through the trees across the valley. It’s worth a pause here to take in the peace and wait for the clock to chime. When it was inaugurated in 1883, the Lord Bishop of Hereford prayed that “wherever the sound of these bells is heard, men's hearts may be moved”. 

Now move on you may, as the walk descends back through woods and fields to return to Abberley. The choice once you arrive back to where you started is prayer or pub. If the latter is your usual preference, take a look at our guide to the best pubs in Worcestershire.

Abberley is in the heart of West Worcestershire close to campsites in Clows Top.

Worcester Woods Country Park

There are several trails and two waymarked walking trails to follow in Worcester Woods. The country park is adjacent to Worcester Royal Hospital, and you can reach it from Worcester Cathedral by taking the Worcester Riverside Walk along the Severn. 

This is one of the best parks in Worcestershire: it has children’s play areas and a nice wander with the kids takes you through the ancient Nunnery Wood Local Nature Reserve with spring bluebell displays and a pond hidden among gnarled trees. The Meadow Trail is equally pleasant, taking ramblers through the Hornhill Meadows Local Nature Reserve and its orchard that was once part of a medieval farmstead.

 

Book your Worcestershire break at a campsite in the cathedral city of Worcester.

If you’re planning a tent-based holiday in the region, you can check out everything you need to know in our definitive guide to camping in Central England.