Worcestershire Way

Worcestershire Way
Abberley, St Mary's & Village Green
Length 31 miles (50 km)
Location Worcestershire, England
Designation Long-distance trail
Trailheads Bewdley, Worcestershire
Great Malvern, Worcestershire
Use Hiking
Highest point North Hill, Malvern 336 m (1,102 ft)
Trail difficulty Challenging
Season All year

The Worcestershire Way is a waymarked long-distance trail located within the county of Worcestershire, England. It runs 31 miles (50 km) from Bewdley to Great Malvern.[1]

Contents

History

When launched back in 1989 the Worcestershire Way was 48 miles (77 km) long and ran partly into Herefordshire. The route and its length were modified in 2004 and it now runs wholly within Worcestershire.[2]

The route

The Worcestershire Way begins at the Georgian Town of Bewdley running south to Ribbesford, the route then heads to Heightington before passing through woodland on narrow winding lanes down to Abberley Hill. From Abberley Hill the route goes south and up the steep Walsgrove Hill with views over the Teme Valley before continuing south to Ankerdine Hill and the Suckley Hills. From the Suckely Hills the Worcestershire Way heads south-east finishing in Great Malvern.[1] The route over the northern Malvern Hills is waymarked with stone direction markers which can be difficult to find.[3]

Places of interest

The Worcestershire Way passes numerous places of interest, including St Leonard's church in Ribbesford, Abberley Clock Tower, Witley Court, Birchwood Common (where Sir Edward Elgar composed much of his music), the Malvern Hills[4] and St. Ann's Well.[3]

Circular walks

Official circular walks along the Worcestershire Way include:

Ribbesford Circular Trail
The Abberley Circular Walk
The Martley Circular Walk
Walks on the Northern Malvern Hills

Connecting trails

The Way links with the North Worcestershire Path in the north - which in turn links to the Staffordshire Way - and with the Cotswold Way in the South.

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ a b The Worcestershire Way. Worcestershire County Council
  2. ^ http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/name/w/worcestershire.htm Ramblers Association
  3. ^ a b Malvern - The Worcestershire Way Worcester News Tuesday 23rd December 2008
  4. ^ Worcestershire Way Walker’s Guide Hereford & Worcester County Council ISBN 1853010197