Wyre Forest

This large forest near Bewdley has miles of super cycling and walking trails to enjoy.
Cyclists can enjoy the family mountain bike trail which runs along nice wide paths through the woodland.... There is also a section along a disused railway line and through a Nature Reserve. The trail is waymarked with blue markers. Bikes can be hired from Bewdley Outdoors. Walkers can enjoy three waymarked walking trails of varying lengths and difficulty. On the trails you'll pass through coniferous and deciduous forest and visit the lovely Wyre Arboretum.
The circular route below starts near Button Oak and follows the cycle/walk trails through the forest to Dowles. Here you can return to the start point on country lanes if you are on a bike. If on foot you may prefer to return along the lovely waterside path along Dowles Brook which runs parallel to the dismantled railway line. Near the start of the route there's the Button Oak Meadow nature reserve where you'll find some pleasant woodland trails with lots of flora and fauna. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like deer, squirrels and various woodland birds as you make your way through this area.
Postcode: DY12 3AL
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There's a cafe in the forest at the nature reserve area next to the Dowles Brook. There's another car park here so it makes an alternate start point for the route. It's a pretty area with picnic tables where you stop off and relax. You can find the car park and cafe at postcode DY14 9XQ.
At the start/end point there's The Button Oak Inn to try. You can enjoy a good meal in the spacious garden area if the weather is good. They can be found at postcode DY12 3AQ for your sat navs.
If you'd like to continue you exercise in the area then several trails run through or past the forest. One nice option is to head to the nearby Severn Way where you can pick up a riverside walking trail along the River Severn. The Sabrina Way and the Geopark Way also run through the forest.
Also nearby are Trimpley Reservoir and the lovely Arley Arboretum with its pretty gardens and magnificent pines.
In Bewdley there's the Ribbesford Circular Walk to try. This waymarked trail takes you around the pretty Blackstone Riverside Park and into the countryside just to the south west of the town.
Just to the west you'll find the small market town of Cleobury Mortimer as you pass into Shropshire. It's a picturesque town with nice walks through the valley of the River Rea to try.
For cyclists National Cycle Route 45 runs through the forest, providing an opportunity to extend your ride on a well maintained waymarked trail.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Worcestershire Walks page.

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Nearby Routes

Sabrina Way Geopark Way Kidderminster to Bridgnorth Severn Way Worcestershire Way Hartlebury Common Trimpley Reservoir Arley Arboretum Bewdley Cleobury Mortimer Button Oak

Photos

Dowles Brook, Wyre Forest. The Dowles Brook discharges into the River Severn, near Bewdley.

Forestry road in the autumn of 2009. The road is used by authorised motor vehicles, mainly in connection with the forestry operations going on in this part of the forest. It also forms part of National Cycle Route 45.

This area of the forest is known as Corbets Park.

Knowles Mill in the Wyre Forest. Knowles Mill is located on Dowles Brook in the ancient woodland known as Knowles Coppice.

Grass path in Wyre Forest. This path leads off the main forestry road and runs parallel to it.

Footpath and sign in the forest. Since the recently created new Government quango "Natural England" was created and made responsible for most National Nature Reserves, it has been busy decorating the Wyre Forest with new signs. Here, deep in the Forest, this one has recently appeared. It is by the side of the grassed area over the pipeline route and at the point where a footpath plunges into the forest. Previously there was no sign around here

Autumnal scene in the forest. In late October most of the leaves are still on the trees, although many have already turned various shades of red, brown and gold. The track here is a turning off the main forestry road in this part of the forest

Forestry road. This forestry road has come up from the car park by the B4194 road and is heading towards Bewdley. The dog slipped into the picture unseen. She blends in very well with the brown fern!

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