The Royal Hunters' Walks

Walking these routes is a great way to experience the area as our ancestors did. The great hunting forest of Feckenham covered 190 square miles of Oak forest. Although there are only patches of forest left here, you can explore the ancient woodlands, local legends, flower rich meadows and nature reserves, as you wander through the gentle rolling hills of North Worcestershire. There are three walks to choose from.

The Hedgelayers Walk is the shortest of the three at 5 miles. Explore in depth the trees, shrubs and hedgerow plants that were so vital for everyday life in the middle ages. They provided local people with food, tools, building materials, cooking fuel, shelter for stock and even diviners rods. Hedges were also often used as parish boundaries. The route through rolling farmland goes to the fascinating village of Dodford, via ancient lanes and tracks, crossing streams and passing two fine country pubs.  Imagine what the trees and hedges that have stood unchanged for hundreds of years have seen of man's lifestyle changes over that time.  

The Chartists Walk takes you through predominantly pastoral rolling hills, dotted with farms, houses and ancient woodlands along its 8 miles route. Quiet lanes, byways, medieval tracks and footpaths are used, as the story unfolds of the 19th century Chartists' political movement at the planned settlement of Dodford, quite unlike any other. Enjoy typical trackside flowers like vetches, Cow-parsley and Buttercups as you tread in the footsteps of the Chartists.

At 12 miles, the Foresters Walk is the longest and explores the impressive remnants of the Royal Hunting Forest of Feckenham. Traditional wildflower meadows and rolling farmland create the backdrop for this walk. The glorious ancient woodlands along this route are provocative reminders of times gone by.  Chaddesley Wood Nature Reserve is managed as a valuable remnant of the ancient woodland, and is home to important species of plants, animals, birds and insects.  Oak trees dominate the woodland with Rowan, Birch, Hazel and Hawthorn mixed in. Carpets of Bluebells in the woods are a good sign of undisturbed ground.

This countryside is the birthplace of the poet A E Houseman, and it's not hard to see what inspired him. It paints a rich and vibrant picture of ancient broadleaved woodlands, coppices, orchards, hedgerow fruits, farmland, delightful stream valleys lush with ferns, and the greatest concentration within Worcestershire of nationally scarce wildflower meadows and pastures that are a delight to behold.

Route Information:

Starting at Sanders Park, Bromsgrove.  Grid Reference: 955707

Additional Facilities and Information:

• Free car park at Saunders Park
• Information Boards

OS Maps:

OS Explorer 219, OS Landranger 139.

An information-packed Walkers' Guide to accompany the route is available priced £3.50 from Bromsgrove District Council

Buy the Royal Hunters' Walkers Guide