RoutesMountain biking trailsUnited KingdomEnglandWest Midlands RegionWorcestershireWyre ForestBewdley
Wyre Forest – Wyre Forest loop from Bewdley
RoutesMountain biking trailsUnited KingdomEnglandWest Midlands RegionWorcestershireWyre ForestBewdley
Wyre Forest – Wyre Forest loop from Bewdley
Easy
10
riders
Wyre Forest – Wyre Forest loop from Bewdley
00:45
10.5km
130m
Mountain biking
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 21, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
2.44 km
Route 45 Old Railway Line
Highlight • Trail
A great place to ride if you know where you’re going. Watch out for grumpy dog walkers.
Tip by
2
2.86 km
Wyre Forest Line Rail Trail
Highlight • Trail
The ‘Wyre Forest Line’ formed a connection between the SVR at Bewdley and the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway (S&HR) at Woofferton. The route encompassed two railways, the Tenbury Railway and the Tenbury & Bewdley Railway.
Following the completion of the Tenbury & Bewdley Railway in 1864, the GWR took over the working of traffic over the Tenbury Railway section on behalf of the joint companies, with the LNWR also having running powers. As part of this process, the GWR telegraph system was extended to Woofferton; also the LNWR agreed to a turntable being installed at Tenbury to be paid for by the GWR. This turntable was moved from Bewdley and re-erected in the goods yard at Tenbury. (Some confusion has occurred in the past, as there was a small wagon turntable at Woofferton in its early days.) The completed line ran north from the GWR station at Bewdley on a single line track alongside the Severn Valley Line for a distance of about a mile before diverging to the west to cross the river Severn at Dowles Bridge (the viaduct referred to by Capt. Tyler), the remains of which are visible from trains on the SVR. The abutments where the line passed over what is now the B4194 remain in-situ. The line continued to Woofferton via Wyre Forest, Cleobury Mortimer, Neen Sollars, Newnham Bridge, Tenbury (later renamed Tenbury Wells) and Easton Court.
The route acquired a number of names. A platform sign at Woofferton station referred to 'The Bewdley Branch', while passengers at Bewdley could take 'The Tenbury Branch'. Informally the route was often referred to as 'The Wyre Forest Line' or 'The Tenbury Line'. The Engineer's Line References were TBY for 'Tenbury & Bewdley' and WTW for 'Woofferton and Tenbury Wells', while the 1905 Ordnance Survey map describes it as the 'GW&L&NW Joint Railway - Woofferton & Tenbury' and the 'GWR - Tenbury & Bewdley Branch'
One purpose of the Tenbury & Bewdley Railway was for freight traffic to gain access to the expanding markets of the West Midlands. However at the time of opening, this journey would require traveling to the SVR's southern terminus at Hartlebury, with a reversal to reach the West Midlands via Kidderminster. This was hampered by a lack of siding space at Hartlebury and resulted in frequent delays, leading to construction of the 'Kidderminster Loop Line' from Bewdley to Kidderminster. After the GWR built 'The Loop', the majority of services from Stourbridge and Kidderminster to Bewdley continued on the Wyre Forest Line.
In January 1869, ownership of the Tenbury Railway was transferred jointly to the LNWR and GWR. It nominally remained an independent company until nationalisation in January 1948. The Tenbury & Bewdley Railway ceased to exist as a separate company when ownership was transferred to the GWR in February 1870. Both the GWR and the Tenbury Railway became part of British Railways' Western Region after nationalisation.
In 1908 the Cleobury Mortimer and Ditton Priors Light Railway opened. This connected with the Tenbury & Bewdley Railway at Cleobury Mortimer and ran as a spur for 12½ miles to Ditton Priors.
Following the completion of the Tenbury & Bewdley Railway in 1864, the GWR took over the working of traffic over the Tenbury Railway section on behalf of the joint companies, with the LNWR also having running powers. As part of this process, the GWR telegraph system was extended to Woofferton; also the LNWR agreed to a turntable being installed at Tenbury to be paid for by the GWR. This turntable was moved from Bewdley and re-erected in the goods yard at Tenbury. (Some confusion has occurred in the past, as there was a small wagon turntable at Woofferton in its early days.) The completed line ran north from the GWR station at Bewdley on a single line track alongside the Severn Valley Line for a distance of about a mile before diverging to the west to cross the river Severn at Dowles Bridge (the viaduct referred to by Capt. Tyler), the remains of which are visible from trains on the SVR. The abutments where the line passed over what is now the B4194 remain in-situ. The line continued to Woofferton via Wyre Forest, Cleobury Mortimer, Neen Sollars, Newnham Bridge, Tenbury (later renamed Tenbury Wells) and Easton Court.
The route acquired a number of names. A platform sign at Woofferton station referred to 'The Bewdley Branch', while passengers at Bewdley could take 'The Tenbury Branch'. Informally the route was often referred to as 'The Wyre Forest Line' or 'The Tenbury Line'. The Engineer's Line References were TBY for 'Tenbury & Bewdley' and WTW for 'Woofferton and Tenbury Wells', while the 1905 Ordnance Survey map describes it as the 'GW&L&NW Joint Railway - Woofferton & Tenbury' and the 'GWR - Tenbury & Bewdley Branch'
One purpose of the Tenbury & Bewdley Railway was for freight traffic to gain access to the expanding markets of the West Midlands. However at the time of opening, this journey would require traveling to the SVR's southern terminus at Hartlebury, with a reversal to reach the West Midlands via Kidderminster. This was hampered by a lack of siding space at Hartlebury and resulted in frequent delays, leading to construction of the 'Kidderminster Loop Line' from Bewdley to Kidderminster. After the GWR built 'The Loop', the majority of services from Stourbridge and Kidderminster to Bewdley continued on the Wyre Forest Line.
In January 1869, ownership of the Tenbury Railway was transferred jointly to the LNWR and GWR. It nominally remained an independent company until nationalisation in January 1948. The Tenbury & Bewdley Railway ceased to exist as a separate company when ownership was transferred to the GWR in February 1870. Both the GWR and the Tenbury Railway became part of British Railways' Western Region after nationalisation.
In 1908 the Cleobury Mortimer and Ditton Priors Light Railway opened. This connected with the Tenbury & Bewdley Railway at Cleobury Mortimer and ran as a spur for 12½ miles to Ditton Priors.
Tip by
3
3.18 km
Wyre Forest
Highlight • Forest
The Wyre Forest is a National Nature Reserve and a large area of ancient oak woodland. Packed with trails and wildlife, there's plenty to explore here throughout the year. A disused railway runs through the forest, now part of National Cycle Route 45 as well as the long-distance hiking route, the Geopark Way.
With parking, toilets, a cafe, a play area and lots more, you could easily spend an entire day here.
With parking, toilets, a cafe, a play area and lots more, you could easily spend an entire day here.
Tip by
4
5.31 km
Wyre Forest
Highlight • Trail
A network of flowing MTB trails and family-friendly gravel paths lead through the enchanting Wyre Forest. There are loads of outdoor activities to choose from here, such as a Go Ape rope course and horse riding. You can also rent bikes and find tuck into a slice of cake at the cafe. With moss carpeting the forest floor and an unending expanse of green, the woods are a lovely place to explore.
Tip by
5
5.74 km
Worcestershire Natural Flood Management Project – Leaky Dams in Wyre Forest
Highlight • Natural Monument
Worcestershire Natural Flood Management (NFM) Project in the Wyre Forest.
The aim of this project is to reduce flooding in
the Dowles Brook catchment, by implementing at large number of small scale, natural interventions in upstream areas to help slow the flow of water and hold it back during times of high flows. These measures involve working on the tributaries of the Dowles Brook and could include things such as planting hedges, creating wetland areas. attenuation ponds, leaky dams, soll aeration and other land management techniques
The intention is to slow the flood peak on the
Dowdes so it does not coincide with the flood
peak on the River Severn at Bewdley.
Water moving at speed through the landscape is incredibly destructive and leads to erosion, soil loss and widespread damage, therefore slowing down the water has a wealth of positive impacts.
It is the intention that many more features will be installed over the riext few years with the aim of slowing the flow throughout the catchment.
If you would like more information, or are
a landowner who is keen to get involved.
please contact the NFM Project Officer al
Worcestershire County Council.
worcestershire.gov.uk/NFM
Natural Flood Management - Leaky Dams
Trees are sourced from the immediate stream side and used to build a lattice. Over time, especially in high flow, smaller woody debris accumulates naturally, and this increases the effectiveness of the leaky dam.
The dars are wedged behind living tree stumps to prevent them moving or floating away, over time they bed in and naturalise as part of the landscape.
Leaky dams work with nature, providing a food source and habitat for wildlife. This timber lattice allows wildlife, such as fish, to move freely upstream and downstream.
Leaky dams are constructed to allow free passage of water in normal flows, and only hold water back when required during high rainfall. The backed up water is pushed out of the channel into appropriate sites upstream where silts are deposited.
A single structure has little impact, but a series of leaky dams at various locations can help reduce the risk of flooding downstream.
Felling by the river bank allows more sunlight to reach the watercourse and its banks. This leads to the growth of marginal vegetation, creating further food sources and habitats for wildlife.
The aim of this project is to reduce flooding in
the Dowles Brook catchment, by implementing at large number of small scale, natural interventions in upstream areas to help slow the flow of water and hold it back during times of high flows. These measures involve working on the tributaries of the Dowles Brook and could include things such as planting hedges, creating wetland areas. attenuation ponds, leaky dams, soll aeration and other land management techniques
The intention is to slow the flood peak on the
Dowdes so it does not coincide with the flood
peak on the River Severn at Bewdley.
Water moving at speed through the landscape is incredibly destructive and leads to erosion, soil loss and widespread damage, therefore slowing down the water has a wealth of positive impacts.
It is the intention that many more features will be installed over the riext few years with the aim of slowing the flow throughout the catchment.
If you would like more information, or are
a landowner who is keen to get involved.
please contact the NFM Project Officer al
Worcestershire County Council.
worcestershire.gov.uk/NFM
Natural Flood Management - Leaky Dams
Trees are sourced from the immediate stream side and used to build a lattice. Over time, especially in high flow, smaller woody debris accumulates naturally, and this increases the effectiveness of the leaky dam.
The dars are wedged behind living tree stumps to prevent them moving or floating away, over time they bed in and naturalise as part of the landscape.
Leaky dams work with nature, providing a food source and habitat for wildlife. This timber lattice allows wildlife, such as fish, to move freely upstream and downstream.
Leaky dams are constructed to allow free passage of water in normal flows, and only hold water back when required during high rainfall. The backed up water is pushed out of the channel into appropriate sites upstream where silts are deposited.
A single structure has little impact, but a series of leaky dams at various locations can help reduce the risk of flooding downstream.
Felling by the river bank allows more sunlight to reach the watercourse and its banks. This leads to the growth of marginal vegetation, creating further food sources and habitats for wildlife.
Tip by
6
6.80 km
Wyre Forest Butterfly Trail
Highlight • Trail
Welcome to the Wyre Forest Butterfly Trail. This 3.5 mile trail takes 2-3 hours to complete and has been designed to introduce the amazing diversity of butterflies found in the Wyre. The Butterfly Trail now continues along the Dowles Path to Coopers Mill.
The track that you have walked along from the bridge over Dowles Brook is a good area to spot the bright yellow Brimstone butterfly. The Brimstone hibernates as an adult through
the winter and is often the first butterfly seen each spring. Some people believe that the insect's original name of 'butter-coloured fly' was the origin of the word 'butterfly'.
It is only the male that is bright yellow in colóuration; the female is a more greenish-
white and in flight might be mistaken for a Large White.
The reason why the Brimstone is generally numerous here is because of the presence of several bushes of alder buckthorn between the track and the brook on which the female lays her eggs. If you look carefully during May and June you can often spot the yellow skittle-shaped eggs on the undersides of leaves and sometimes also the caterpillars which are extremely well camouflaged against the green of the leaves. The caterpillar goes through a number of skin changes. as it grows before eventually pupating away from its food-plant to emerge as an adult butterfly in late July.
Brimstones can then be seen visiting flowers like teasels and thistles for several more weeks before going into hibernation to emerge the following spring. It is often regarded as Britain's longest lived butterfly with some adults surviving as long as 11 months. Only a handful of our butterflies hibernate as adults in this way, most species pass the winter as an egg, caterpillar or pupa. Consequently, their adult stage may only last for a few days but, nevertheless, long enough for courtship, pairing and egg-laying to take place to ensure the survival of the species for another year.
Other species to look out for include the Comma, with a distinctive ragged edge to its wings; the Common Blue, on the wing in May and June with a second generation from July to early September (if you see a 'blue' butterfly before May then it is almost certainly a Holly Blue which is similar in size and colour but lacks the orange markings on the underside of the hindwing); and the Gatekeeper, which is generally brown in colour with orange splashes across its forewings.
The Butterfly Trail now continues to Coopers Mill. Two butterflies to look out for on your return journey are the graceful and very beautiful White Admiral, which has only colonised Wyre in recent years and is still something of a rarity here; and the Speckled Wood which is on the wing for most of the summer in a series of overlapping broods and is generally found in shadier spots along the Trail.
The track that you have walked along from the bridge over Dowles Brook is a good area to spot the bright yellow Brimstone butterfly. The Brimstone hibernates as an adult through
the winter and is often the first butterfly seen each spring. Some people believe that the insect's original name of 'butter-coloured fly' was the origin of the word 'butterfly'.
It is only the male that is bright yellow in colóuration; the female is a more greenish-
white and in flight might be mistaken for a Large White.
The reason why the Brimstone is generally numerous here is because of the presence of several bushes of alder buckthorn between the track and the brook on which the female lays her eggs. If you look carefully during May and June you can often spot the yellow skittle-shaped eggs on the undersides of leaves and sometimes also the caterpillars which are extremely well camouflaged against the green of the leaves. The caterpillar goes through a number of skin changes. as it grows before eventually pupating away from its food-plant to emerge as an adult butterfly in late July.
Brimstones can then be seen visiting flowers like teasels and thistles for several more weeks before going into hibernation to emerge the following spring. It is often regarded as Britain's longest lived butterfly with some adults surviving as long as 11 months. Only a handful of our butterflies hibernate as adults in this way, most species pass the winter as an egg, caterpillar or pupa. Consequently, their adult stage may only last for a few days but, nevertheless, long enough for courtship, pairing and egg-laying to take place to ensure the survival of the species for another year.
Other species to look out for include the Comma, with a distinctive ragged edge to its wings; the Common Blue, on the wing in May and June with a second generation from July to early September (if you see a 'blue' butterfly before May then it is almost certainly a Holly Blue which is similar in size and colour but lacks the orange markings on the underside of the hindwing); and the Gatekeeper, which is generally brown in colour with orange splashes across its forewings.
The Butterfly Trail now continues to Coopers Mill. Two butterflies to look out for on your return journey are the graceful and very beautiful White Admiral, which has only colonised Wyre in recent years and is still something of a rarity here; and the Speckled Wood which is on the wing for most of the summer in a series of overlapping broods and is generally found in shadier spots along the Trail.
Tip by
7
6.81 km
Dowles Brook Ford and Trail
Highlight • Forest
Pretty ford with a fun track leading down to it.
Tip by
8
8.43 km
View of Rapeseed Fields Near Bewdley
Highlight • Viewpoint
Excellent food in town.
Tip by
B
10.5 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
5.65 km
1.90 km
1.32 km
1.20 km
455 m
Surfaces
3.22 km
3.05 km
2.89 km
1.32 km
< 100 m
< 100 m
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Elevation
Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.
Highest point (90 m)
Lowest point (30 m)
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Wednesday 24 June
34°C
18°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Comments
Want to know more?
Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.
Sign up for free