Wimperhill Wood and Longdon Orchard, Wyre Forest

Worcestershire Walk

Maps

Ordnance Survey Explorer 218	Sheet Map	1:25k	BUY
Anquet OS Explorer 218	Digital Map	1:25k	BUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 138	Sheet Map	1:50k	BUY
Anquet OS Landranger 138	Digital Map	1:50k	BUY

Walk Route Description

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The Wyre Forest with its Visitor Centre at Callow Hill and free car park at Hawkbatch offers easy guided walks via coloured posts to those with less time or inclination to strike out on their own initiative. This short walk, however, is one where you're hardly likely to see more than a handful of people, even though there may be hoards within less than a mile of you! It is a delight at any time of year and if you're quiet, you may even spot some deer.

Park down a remote country lane near Far Forest off a road leading to Furnace Mill (fishery). At SO727759 by a 90 degree bend in the road, there is a small parking space on the grass verge. At the corner of the 90 degree bend in the road, follow the driveway down to the Newalls and go through the gate to the right, following a path down to a stream. Then cross a bridge and continue to the left uphill to an isolated, picturesque country lane. Ignoring the caravan park to the left, emerge from the path turning right along the tree lined lane and then first left down another country lane.

When the tarmac road ends, continue straight on down a public footpath, through a gate and descend crossing the path of the disused railway. Coming to the brook, take your choice of footbridge or stepping stones. Ascending slightly, the route to the crossing point of Dowles Brook is not marked - turn left on a small path to follow the brook coming quickly to an obvious footbridge. Cross into Shropshire and turn right, walking along the (frequently muddy) side of the brook for some 750 metres distance.

Watch out for the blue bridlepath marker pointing left up a steep bank and follow the narrow path up. Cross a forestry road and continue to descend into the woods. At a cross-roads of footpaths, take the right hand bridlepath which turns left soon, descending to a brook. Cross, ascend to a junction and turn left up a path fenced on both sides. At the next junction turn left and continue into dense woodland.

When the bridlepath takes a right turn uphill, continue left, following the yellow waymark down to yet another brook with another footbridge. Emerge into an open field (relief for the claustrophobic!) And head for the top left hand corner of the field. Cross a stile into a green lane, then another into a field and then yet another passing Kingswood Farm. Emerging onto the farm access drive, continue to a junction and turn left down a prominent bridleway, leading all the way back down to Dowles Brook. Cross via two footbridges (returning to Worcestershire), ascend to the Newalls and thence back to your car.

Walk GradingMore Worcestershire Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 2288	Pound Green and Dowles Brook from Hawkbatch	easy	5.0 miles
Walk 2131	Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve, Bewdley	easy	3.3 miles
Walk 1933	Wyre Forest & River Severn from Upper Arley	easy/mod	7.6 miles
Walk 2466	The Severn Valley from Trimpley Reservoir	easy	6.0 miles
Walk 3217	Bewdley and Snuffmill Dingle	easy	5.0 miles
Walk 3504	Highley to Bewdley along the River Severn	easy/mod	7.0 miles
Walk 3662	Abberley Circular	easy/mod	4.8 miles
Walk 1099	Abberley Hills - Worcestershire Way Circular	easy/mod	4.0 miles
Walk 2092	Highley from the Severn Valley Country Park	easy/mod	4.5 miles
Walk 1603	Shatterford Wood and Castle Hill circular	easy/mod	5.5 miles

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