Fairy flowers of the Wyre
Wander among bluebells, birds and brilliant butterflies close to the Midlands’ capital,
Wyre Forest, Worcestershire
The phone reception’s terrible in the Wyre Forest. This is exactly how it should be, given that the 6,000-acre spread of ancient Midlands woodland remains rooted in another age. It sits just five miles from Kidderminster – or barely an hour’s drive from the clamour and commerce of central Birmingham – yet feels deliciously removed from modern life.
Trees have been growing here for 10,000 years, which is a fine thought to hold in mind as you wander its soft, heavily wooded contours. The views occasionally billow out across low valleys or wide glades, but for the main part remain closed in by the serried trunks of the forest, with oak, birch, alder and rowan all commonplace. Much of the present landscape owes its character to medieval times when it spent time as a royal hunting chase, then felt the influence of industry and farming, but there’s still a pleasing density and wildness to the place.
BUTTERFLIES AND BIRDS
The obvious magnet is the Wyre Forest Visitor Centre, which as well as offering plenty of parking and a dog-friendly café serves as the start-point for a series of looped walking trails. By all means choose one to follow – the 5.2km
Buzzard Trail is the longest of the dedicated walks – but it pays to veer down some of the narrower forest paths you’ll pass, too, especially if you’re hoping to make the most of the wood’s varied springtime charms.
The forest is an excellent site for butterflies (almost 1,200 species of butterflies and moths have been recorded here), while birdlife highlights include nuthatches, woodpeckers – all three UK species – and the quick-stepping antics of treecreepers. The disused railway line a couple of miles north of the visitor centre is particularly good for bird spotting. Seasonal wildflowers include lily-of-the-valley, wood cranesbill and, yes, bluebells.
SEVERN STROLL
The forest is also bordered on its eastern edge by the meandering River Severn, and if you head to the nearby town of
Bewdley – home to an 18th-century three-span bridge designed by Thomas Telford – you can walk north to enjoy a lovely rural stretch of the river. The Severn Valley Railway travels along the same route, puffing steam in its wake.
“TREES HAVE BEEN GROWING HERE FOR 10,000 YEARS”