Country Park at Worcester Woods Country Park

  

The first accredited Country Park in England, Worcester Woods has 100 acres of ancient Oak woodland where you can stroll through carpets of Bluebells or listen to woodland birds. Or maybe you would prefer to wander through romantic wildflower meadows, alive with bees and butterflies feeding on the sweet nectar in early summer. Or perhaps you just want some wide open space to let off steam, fly a kite, kick a ball or exercise the dog.

This green flag country park is a popular place just to bring the children to play or to have a cup of tea from the café. If you want to venture further afield but are not sure where to start, there are two way-marked walks that help you explore the woods and the meadows. Both are fairly flat with plenty of benches and no stiles, so you can relax and enjoy the wildlife at your own pace.

Many Ancient trees can be found in Nunnery Wood, an indication of its ancient standing. The ancient Oak on the edge of the woods is well over 500 years old. It has been left to mark the boundary of the wood. The wood is home to many varieties of birds and it comes alive in spring with carpets of Bluebells covering the floor.

Even in winter the woods are full of life. Birds find food in the seeds and fruits and may be easier to see with the bare trees. Winter is also the time when the site's officers are working in the woods.

The woodland pond also attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Dragonflies, frogs, Great-Crested Newts and many other plants and insects thrive in and around the water.

Hornhill Meadows have been meadows since Medieval times making them particularly valuable for their wild flowers. The meadows attract clouds of butterflies in the summer months like Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Small Copper and Gatekeeper.

The meadows are mown later than modern hay crops to allow flowers to spread their seeds for next year. They are also lightly grazed some winters, most recently by rare breeds of long horn cattle, to help remove nutrients and keep the grasses from taking over. Look too for the fruit of the old pear trees in the hedges, a traditional symbol of Worcestershire.

An area of orchard has recently been restored. They are the remains of Horn Hill Farm, dating back to the early 19th century. The farm buildings are no longer around, but the orchards are important historic features in Worcestershire. They may contain rare old varieties of fruit tree and the old trees provide havens for many types of wildlife.

There is a regular bus service from the City Centre to get to Worcester Woods Country Park, and the facilities once you are there ensure a comfortable visit, whether you are staying for half an hour or all day, with BBQ hire, a fun orienteering course, regular special events and walks, dog training classes, café with a range of gifts and cards, children's play area and so much more.

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