Walking in Worcestershire

Worcestershire is a county of gentle rolling countryside, winding rivers and distinctive hill ranges that rise above fertile lowlands. Bordered in part by the Malvern Hills, the Clent Hills, the Lickey Hills and the Cotswolds, and threaded by the Rivers Severn and Avon as well as historic canals, it offers some of England’s most rewarding easy-going walking. From orchard country and hop fields to cathedral cities and quiet market towns, Worcestershire blends natural beauty with layers of history.

Walking in Worcestershire brings together 31 carefully chosen routes that explore the very best of the county. The guide includes 28 day walks from 4 to 17 miles, suitable for a wide range of abilities, plus three multi-day long-distance trails for those seeking a greater challenge. Walkers can follow stretches of the Worcestershire Way, explore sections of the North Worcestershire Path and Wychavon Way, or enjoy scenic towpaths along the Birmingham Canal. With bases such as Malvern, Upton, Worcester, Bewdley, Pershore and Evesham, Walking in Worcestershire makes it easy to plan rewarding outings with excellent accommodation and transport links close at hand.

Designed for all seasons, Walking in Worcestershire showcases landscapes that change beautifully throughout the year. Spring orchards burst into blossom and woodlands are carpeted with bluebells; summer meadows hum with wildlife; autumn paints the hills in copper and gold; and winter offers crisp, clear views from the Malverns and firm footing along canal towpaths when lower fields may be muddy. Alongside natural beauty, the routes in Walking in Worcestershire pass through historic towns such as Worcester and Evesham, notable for battles that shaped the nation, and visit abbeys, priories and churches that reflect the county’s rich heritage.

Most of the 28 day walks in Walking in Worcestershire are circular, making them straightforward to organise, while several linear options are included with convenient transport links. The three longer routes range from 49 to 60 miles and can be completed in up to four days each. These include:

• A four-day canal journey from Worcester to central Birmingham, with suggested overnight stops in Droitwich, Bromsgrove and Alvechurch
• The two-day North Worcestershire Path from Major’s Green to Bewdley
• The two-day Worcestershire Way from Bewdley to Great Malvern

Each stage of these longer walks in Walking in Worcestershire can also be tackled as an individual day walk, with accommodation suggestions provided to help you tailor your itinerary.

This guidebook includes:

• 28 varied day walks featured in Walking in Worcestershire, ranging from 4 to 17 miles and designed to suit beginners, regular walkers and those seeking more challenging hill routes
• Three multi-day challenge hikes in Walking in Worcestershire (49–60 miles), complete with accommodation guidance and options for combining stages into longer adventures
• Clear, step-by-step route descriptions throughout Walking in Worcestershire, supported by 1:50,000 OS maps, ascent and descent figures, terrain notes and practical route warnings
• Comprehensive coverage of Worcestershire’s key walking areas, including the Malvern Hills, Clent Hills, Lickey Hills, the Cotswolds and the Severn and Avon valleys
• Public transport information for each walk in Walking in Worcestershire, plus guidance on road access and base locations in towns such as Malvern, Worcester and Evesham
• Downloadable GPX files for all routes in Walking in Worcestershire, providing a reliable digital navigation option alongside the printed mapping

Whether you’re looking for gentle riverside strolls, panoramic ridge walks, wildlife-rich meadows or rewarding multi-day challenges, Walking in Worcestershire offers everything you need to explore the beauty, culture and character of this distinctive English county – in any season.

Seasons

The routes are suitable for all seasons. First bulbs, then trees, then meadows burst into bloom. In winter, when low-lying land can become muddy, the hills and towpaths remain walkable.

Centres

Charming bases include Malvern, Upton, Worcester, Bewdley, Pershore or Evesham. All offer accommodation and several walks within easy reach.

Difficulty

Worcestershire is a county for beautiful, gentle walks in undulating countryside that is full of meadows, lakes, rivers and canals. However, the county is also surrounded by hills and hosts several multi-day routes which offer challenge to those who want it.

Must See

Explore the beauty, culture and wildlife of Worcestershire. The county is partially bordered by hills – the Malverns, the Clent Hills, the Lickey Hills and the Cotswolds – and rivers, including the Severn and Avon and several canals, run through it. Worcester and Evesham are famed for battles that both shaped the future of this country. The church has played a significant role in the county, with notable priories in Great Malvern and Little Malvern, a cathedral in Worcester, abbeys in Pershore and Evesham and some exceptional churches. The area is also a major tree-fruit and hop growing region.

Route Summary Table

Introduction

Planning your trip

Planning day to day

All about Worcestershire

Day walks

Walk 1 Tenbury Wells

Walk 2 Eardiston and the Teme Valley

Walk 3 Abberley Circular

Walk 4 Martley Circular

Walk 5 Knapp and Papermill Nature Reserve

Walk 6 Malvern Hills End to End

Walk 7 Great Malvern and Worcestershire Beacon

Walk 8 Little Malvern and St Wulstan’s Nature Reserve

Walk 9 The Southern Hills

Walk 10 Castlemorton Common

Walk 11 Birts Street and Castlemorton

Walk 12 Upton and Upper Ham Meadows

Walk 13 River Severn and Croome Park

Walk 14 Old Hills

Walk 15 Worcester – Rivers and Battlefield

Walk 16 Pershore, River Avon and Tiddesley Wood

Walk 17 Pershore to Broadway on the Wychavon Way

Walk 18 River Avon and Bredon Hill

Walk 19 Elmley Castle and Bredon Hill

Walk 20 Broadway village and tower

Walk 21 Evesham and the River Avon

Walk 22 Inkberrow and Abbots Morton

Walk 23 Grafton Flyford Hairstreak Butterfly Trail

Walk 24 Droitwich Spa and Hanbury Hall

Walk 25 Bordesley Abbey Meadows and Arrow Lake

Walk 26 Lickey Hills and Worcester and Birmingham Canal

Walk 27 Clent Hills

Walk 28 Wyre Forest

Walk 29 Worcester to Birmingham along the canal

Stage 1 Worcester to Droitwich Spa

Stage 2 Droitwich to Bromsgrove

Stage 3 Bromsgrove to Alvechurch

Stage 4 Alvechurch to Birmingham New Street

Walk 30 North Worcestershire Path

Stage 1 Shirley to Hagley

Stage 2 Hagley to Bewdley

Walk 31 Worcestershire Way

Stage 1 Bewdley to Knightwick

Stage 2 Knightwick to Malvern