Bliss Gate - Heightington - Park End - Bliss Gate

David James

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Worcestershire could be described as the most English of counties, as it has so much of England's scenic beauty to offer: rolling hills, quiet meadows, meandering rivers, gentle streams and mellow villages that nestle in their ancient seats. This walk guides the walker through an experience of this England. Starting in the village of Bliss Gate, you take a short climb to a ridge that offers far views on each side. The walk then follows the Worcestershire Way, dipping to Dick Brook, sparkling its way through tree-lined banks.

A short climb through a wood and a high pasture takes you to the Heightington Road, to rejoin the Worcestershire Way, a quiet lime glade, meadows, orchards and more open views. At Rock Coppice, the route turns towards Bliss Gate through a nature reserve that has been managed woodland from medieval times.

A good time of the year to take this walk is in late April, when the hedgerows and verges are decorated with a profusion of wildflowers and tree blossom. The high paths allow glimpses of heron, buzzard and kestrel. Nearby is Bewdley, with its bridge – designed by Thomas Telford in 1798 – over the River Severn, riverside pubs and gardens and also the busy canal port of Stourport-on-Severn, with its riverside park, boat trips, canal basin and old-fashioned funfair.

England - Central England - Worcestershire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Wildlife, Woodland

3/5/2017 - SUSAN BELL

Some 5 years on, we took this walk again. I choose it because I had given a very favourable review when we walked one dull day in February 2012, and loved it. Feb 2017, but this time a sunny day with bright blue skies. Again, no problem in following directions. Parking was fine, and the start easy to find. This is a beautiful walk with many different features....rolling hills, fields, forests, burns, views......and so on. I would thoroughly recommend this walk, it's delightful. PS A couple of steep climbs, bit more difficult in 2017 compared to when I first did it in 2012, but then, just stop, turn around and admire the beautiful views.

4/1/2016 - Paul and Tracy Dawson

We had a bright sunny day when doing this walk, the views and colours really stood out, and lambs were in the fields, lovely! No overgrown crop problem at this time of year. Good paths, though bit boggy in places. Not the easiest to find a place near the start to park, Easter with some off work? the side roads were pretty full. Good guide, we made nearly 950ft of height gain? Excellent walk thoroughly recommended! Thank you David.

7/14/2012 - David James

Thanks for the comment, Ian, especially about the vegetation behind the disused pub. We are looking into this. Outside the high summer season, such intrusive crops aren't a problem. The last time I did the walk, I simply followed the field boundary, rather than the line of the footpath. Your blogspot was entertaining and enjoyable. Incidentally, there is a footbridge across the stream near SO748719. Follow the field boundary as it juts forward and you will see the waymark. Glad you enjoyed the walk.

7/14/2012 - Ian Mapp

Not sure about walking it in the summer - if indeed this is what we have had this year! I got off to a really bad start in the first field behind the old Bliss Gate pub. For less hardy travellers - it would be unpassable. Its completely overgrown with a strange type of vegetation that at times are higher than your head and are really densely packed at foot level, to make it tricky to progress. There are the remnants of a footpath, which is well signed and I had my GPS but it's totally overgrown! With the wet weather, I would have been drier if I had just jumped in the shower :-) Once through this and on the Worcestershire Way, you do have some exceptional walking... loved the places that I have not been to before - as I usually make a beeline for the Wyre Forest. My walk and photos are detailed at http://mappiman.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/140712-not-raining-still-soaked.html

2/23/2012 - David James

Thank you for your helpful feedback, Susan. As you rightly say, the walk is best enjoyed in late spring and early summer to take advantage of the blossom and wild flowers. I think the pub to which you refer is The Royal Forester, Callow Hill, which is renowned locally for its quality of food and service.

2/22/2012 - SUSAN BELL

All as described! A great walk with beautiful views and very easy to navigate. A couple of strenuous climbs, but apart from that a walk that people with very average fitness could manage. We went on a dull day in February, but even then it was a lovely walk. I can imagine April/May would be a lovely time. There's a lovely pub on the corner of the A456 and Blissgate Road where we had a coffee at the end, food wasn't available at the time [3.00pm ish] but a warm welcome was. Would thoroughly recommend this walk.