The Upper Arley

Start : Upper Arley, Arley Tower. Walk information board next to the old ferry crossing

(S/E) From the walk information board next to the old ferry crossing, head downstream along the road with the river on your right-hand side until you reach the modern footbridge. Stay on this side of the river and head down the enclosed track in front of you beyond the bridge. Stay on this track for 500m until you reach Worrall’s Grove and a small footbridge.

(1) Cross the bridge and follow the Ferryman logo, keeping the river on your right-hand side. You are now entering Eymore Wood ancient woodland a site of special scientific interest. Continue for 250m until you reach Victoria Bridge.

(2) The impressive Victoria Bridge was cast and constructed by the Coalbrookdale Company in 1861 to carry the Severn Valley Railway from Hartlebury near Droitwich to Shrewsbury, a distance of 40 miles. Pass under the bridge and continue until you leave Eymore Wood in 250m.

(3) Pass through the pedestrian gate and enter the Trimpley Reservoir site. The reservoirs were built in 1968 as an emergency support to the Elan Valley Pipeline that supplies water from mid Wales to Birmingham. Follow the Ferryman logo for approximately half a mile.

(4) Head away from the river and up the slope to the reservoir, follow the Ferryman logo to the Severn Valley Railway line. Cross the railway line with care, remembering to look and listen for approaching steam trains. Follow the ferryman logo as you enter Eymore Wood again. Continue for 500m until you come to a pedestrian gate at Eymore Wood Lane. Cross the road and use the bridlegate to continue into Eymore Wood. Follow the Ferryman logo and in approximately 1 mile you will come to Arley Lane.

(5) Turn right onto Arley Lane, taking care of oncoming traffic. After 125m turn left, through a pedestrian gate and onto a permissive path, following the Ferryman logo. This permissive path will give you access to a restored orchard, a delightful brick cart bridge over a babbling brook and will eventually lead out on Lowe Lane.

(6) Turn right and walk along Lowe Lane for 100m, again taking care to look out for traffic. Continue following the Ferryman logo and enter the Arley Estate grounds via a kissing gate next to a cattle grid, using another permissive path. After 500m you will see the impressive gatehouse entrance to the Arley Arboretum Gardens.

(7) The footpath will lead to a road and after approximately 500m you will return to the start point of the walk.(S/E)

Parking: Parking is available in the village of Upper Arley, just beyond the start/finish point, (parking charges apply)

Gates and stiles: 8 pedestrian gates, 1 kissing gate, no stiles.

Terrain: Some level riverside and woodland walking with a number of steep sections. One unmanned railway crossing and a short section of road walking. No steps.

Waymarking: Simply follow the Upper Arley Circular Walk ‘Ferryman’ logo and directional arrows and you won’t get lost.

Find out more on Worcestershire County Council here.