Abberley Circular Walk

An enjoyable circular walk, combining woods and views from Abberley Hill with lanes and fields below, and taking in part of the Worcestershire Way. The walk is indicated by the ‘Abberley Clock Tower’ waymark.

Technical sheet

4059309
A Abberley walk posted on 16/09/20 by Worcestershire County Council. Last update : 24/08/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.92 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 223 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 224 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 277 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 74 m
  • ⚐
    District: Abberley 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 52.30853° / W 2.372661°

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Description

(S/E) From the village Hall car park and Start /Finish point, turn left and follow the road for 1⁄3 mile to the village centre.

(1) With the Manor Arms country inn on your left, set off down the lane for about ¼ mile, passing the old church yard on your right, and, further on, an old pear orchard. Watch for traffic as you go.

(2) At the bottom of the dip leave the lane over a stile on the left and follow the path along the field edge. Cross another stile and continue ahead, up the drive, almost to the cottage. Take the steps up the bank to the left of the cottage, go over a stile and turn right along the field edge with a small woodland on your right.

(3) Continue straight on, passing a second small woodland on your right then turn diagonally right to cross open pasture, over a rise and then ahead down to a gatein the corner to re-join the lane. Turn left and follow the lane to Netherton House where you join the Worcestershire Way.

(4) Turn right to follow the Worcestershire Way waymarks down the farm track and up the opposite slope to another lane. Watching for traffic, turn left and follow the lane for about 250m.

(5) Shortly after you have passed the entrance to Shavers End quarry, look for a signpost on your right and take the path along the side of the hill. There is a wide view to the east over the valley of Dick Brook, with the tall tower of Astley Church in the centre. The path climbs diagonally across a small field and then heads up the steep hill beside the former quarry.

(6) At the top of the hill, turn left through the conifer woodland and then right through a mix of Sweet Chestnut, ancient yew, Ash and a single Spindle Tree which overhangs the path. Eventually, after about a mile of woodland and scrub, you will reach the highest point of the hill, marked by a concrete triangulation point. From here you can see Woodbury Hill and the tall needle of Abberley Clock Tower. Begin you descent by continuing to follow the path for about 300m until you meet a Lane.

(7) Leave the Worcesteshire Way here by turning right and following the lane for about 200m, at which point, take the path which leaves the road on the left. Follow this path steeply down through a short section of woodland and then two fields. At the cottage, go over two gates, then straight on, to the bottom left hand corner of the pasture, to a lane which takes you back to the village.

(8) Follow the road back to the village Hall and the Start/finish point.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 148 m - Village Hall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.71 - alt. 136 m - Manor Arms
  3. 2 : km 1.1 - alt. 106 m - Bottom of the dip
  4. 3 : km 1.62 - alt. 92 m - Small woodland
  5. 4 : km 2.25 - alt. 79 m - Worcestershire Way
  6. 5 : km 3.38 - alt. 114 m - Shavers End quarry
  7. 6 : km 4.35 - alt. 194 m - Top of the hill
  8. 7 : km 6.57 - alt. 245 m - Lane
  9. 8 : km 7.23 - alt. 137 m - Village Hall
  10. S/E : km 7.92 - alt. 148 m - Village Hall car park

Useful Information

Parking : Parking is available at the Start /Finish point at the village Hall, 10 mins. (1/3 mile) from Abberley village centre. Large groups please pre-book parking on 01299 896213.

Gates and stiles : 10 gates and 3 stiles.

Terrain : This is a challenging walk with several steep sections. Depending on the time of year the surface may be slippery and wet in places.

Waymarking : Simply follow the Abberley Circular Walk ‘clock tower’ symbol and direction arrows and you won’t get lost.

Find out more on Worcestershire County Council here.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Clarity of route description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Walk interest
4.5 / 5
willi j
willi j

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 24/03/22
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We started (and finished) at the Manor Arms in Abberley Village taking in the mostly ruined Norman church with its surviving chancel and some fascinating features (check out the memorial to Ann Walsh that states 'her left hand knew not what her right hand did'). We did the circuit (plus) backwards climbing Abberley Hill and walking the ridge along the Worcestershire Way. Signposting was good until, I think we entered Herefordshire where the signs disappeared and the paths overgrown. The weather was unusually glorious for the end of March and since no leaves on the trees views were fantastic. Underfoot solid but some rickety stiles. I thoroughly recommend lunch at the Manor Arms (I had guinea fowl) and if possible make it a leisurely one so you can sit out on the terrace to enjoy the lovely scenery.

Susie and G
Susie and G

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 16/05/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Walk attempted as told it was easy on web site
But after downloading and setting off read final part of print out which said it was challenging
Clearer marking on walk difficulties please
This walk has many long uphill climbs

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