Kidderminster Canal Walk
This Worcestershire based town has some nice trails along the canals and rivers which run through the area. It's also near to the woodland of the Wyre Forest and the popular walking trails at Kinver Edge.
This circular walk from the town takes you along a section of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to the nearby village of Kinver. Here you enjoy a climb to Kinver Edge before a visit to the adjacent Kingsford Country Park. It's a nice varied route with easy waterside sections, peaceful woodland trails and a climb to a splendid viewpoint.
The walk starts on the canal in the town centre, just a short distance west from the bus station and train station. Here you can pick up the towpath and follow it north to Wolverley, Cookley and Kinver. There's nice views of the River Stour on the way as it runs parallel with canal on this section.
The route then leaves the canal to head west through Kinver before turning south along a section of the Staffordshire Way. This will take you up onto Kinver Edge where you can enjoy fine views over the area.
You then descend to Kingsford Country Park where there are a number of fine woodland trails with hills, cliffs and sandy paths too.
After exploring the park you can continue east along the waymarked trail to Caunsall where you pick up the canal towpath again. This will lead you south back into the town centre.
Kidderminster Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Kidderminster Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Kidderminster OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Kidderminster Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Weavers is a very good choice for some post walk refreshments. The canalside pub has a lovely garden area to sit out in on warmer days. It's a great spot to relax and watch the boats go by. The pub is set in a listed Georgian building dating from 1804 and also includes a cosy interior full of character. They do lovely home-cooked pub meals and have a fine selection of ciders and ales. You can find the pub at 40 Park Lane with a postcode of DY11 6TG for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The trails on the route make for an excellent dog walk. The area around Kinver Edge and Kingsford Forest Park are particular popular with dog walkers. In the National Trust Rock House Gardens at Kinver there are water bowls although they do need to be kept on a lead in this area. The on site NT cafe here and the Weavers pub mentioned above are also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The town is the administration centre for the wider Wyre Forest District, which includes the nearby towns of Stourport and Bewdley. Here you can try the Stourport to Bewdley River Walk and enjoy another waterside stroll along the River Severn on the Severn Way long distance trail. In the area you can also try the Stourport Circular Walk which visits the river and Hartlebury Common.
Bewdley is in an excellent location for exploring the expansive Wyre Forest where there's miles of trails to keep you busy.
Arley Arboretum is another gem of the area. Here you'll find well laid out footpaths taking you to towering Crimean Pines, a Magnolia Garden and an Italian Garden with water features and a pretty fountain.
The Kinver Canal Walk starts in the village and will take you north along the canal to link with the circular Wombourne Railway Walk.
Just to the north west of the town centre you can pick up the Habberley Valley Circular Walk. This will take you around a lovely nature reserve with woodland, grassland and heathland to explore.
For more walking ideas in the county see the Staffordshire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Lovely view of Kidderminster Lock, canal and St Mary's Church in the background
Canal view north of Kidderminster just below Wolverley lock and bridge. The level embankment obscuring the view across the River Stour is part of the Kidderminster Flood Alleviation programme, constructed in 2003/4.
Limekiln Bridge, Staffs & Worcs. Canal, Kidderminster. Any evidence of a Limekiln has long since vanished, and clearly, the bridge has enjoyed better days. Some of the upper brickwork on both sides has been replaced by the rather unattractive metal sheeting.
Canal at Kidderminster. Much of the old industrial architecture has been demolished in the town, though the Slingfield Mill with its distinctive chimney shown here is now safe. Its ground floor is used as a retail outlet run by De Bradlei.
Canal near Cookley, Worcestershire. Private moorings on the right are available to residents of the holiday homes.
Kinver. A perfect summer's evening: boats moored up for the night, fishing in the still waters of the canal just below Kinver Lock.
Viewpoint at Kinver Edge. Looking south across Staffordshire into Worcestershire, the town in the centre of the picture is Kidderminster, and the Malvern Hills are visible on the horizon. Kidderminster is 5 miles away and the Malvern Hills are nearly 30 miles distant.
Dog walking in Kingsford Forest Park. The attractive Kingsford Forest Park is popular with many different types of visitor. These include walkers, naturalists, bird spotters, cyclists, horse riders, dogs and their walkers. Here two dogs take their human companion for a brisk trot. They are walking on the Horse Route as can be seen by the evidence in the foreground.