Clent Hills winter walk
This short walk in the Clent Hills is perfect for a winter afternoon family stroll and leads through woodland to the top of the hill, where on a clear day the Welsh Black Mountains are visible on the horizon.
A ramble up snow-capped hills with panoramic views
The Clent Hills have been enjoyed by winter ramblers from nearby Midlands towns and cities for over 200 years.
Map
Start:
Nimmings Wood car park, grid ref: SO938807
1
Climb up a gentle zig-zag slope into the woodland from Nimmings café and information point. Turn right and follow an easy access path through the trees, with some fine views and resting points on the way.
A rare habitat
Donkey rides and grass-tobogganing were among the activities that thrilled visitors here in Victorian times but led to quite severe erosion of the Clent grassland. At the same time local farmers grazed their sheep and cattle less and less on the hills. All this meant that if the open landscape wasn't being churned into mud by tourists, it was being invaded by bracken and scrub. Today the National Trust is restoring acid heathland here. It is now a rare habitat throughout the UK, but a great environment for supporting birds like linnet; butterflies such as the small heath and small copper; and solitary bees.
2
Emerging from the woods you reach a sweeping panorama looking west towards Wenlock Edge and the Malvern Hills. Return to your start point via the all-ability path you came on or turn left and walk up to what appears to be some prehistoric standing stones... The views from here are some of the best in the Clent Hills. To the west is the Severn Valley and the Welsh border, while to the north is Birmingham and the Black Country.
The Four Stones
The Four Stones on the summit of Clent Hill may look ancient and mysterious, but they were actually created in the 18th century for Lord Lyttleton as a folly to be viewed from down in the valley by visitors.
3
Skirt to the left of the clump of trees behind the standing stones and enter through a gate into Horses Mane Woodland. Listen out for, or try to spot, birds like thrush, nuthatch, yellowhammer or perhaps even a greater-spotted woodpecker.
Yellowhammer
The colourful yellowhammer can be found in and around the woodland and scrubby hillsides here. They have an interesting high-pitched song which is said to sound a bit like a-little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese. As you walk through this area, youll pass lots of old beech pollards. These are 250-year-old trees which were cut just above head height so that they sprouted a mass of branches low down, providing food for livestock. Today, they are home to insects, beetles and nesting birds.
4
While taking care not to trip on exposed tree roots, look up through the woodland canopy and you may catch sight of buzzard circling above. Skirt left and return to the car park. Why not stop off at Nimmings Wood café for a hot drink and delicious home-made snack to warm you up after your winter walk?
Fir trees
It is thought that this clump of fir trees was most likely planted as part of Lord Lyttletons landscaping and building of follies in the area.
End:
Nimmings Wood car park, grid ref: SO938807
