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Highley Walk

By river and rail

Hampton Loade walk map

Map illustrated by Amy Walford from Oldbury Wells School

Start: Severn Centre sports and community centre, Bridgnorth Road, Highley.

Grade: Moderate.

Distance: Four and a quarter Miles.

Terrain: Gently undulating on good field, woodland and riverside paths and tracks which can be muddy in places. Quiet lanes.

Refreshments: Unicorn Inn at Hampton Loade. Pubs and shops in Highley.

Recommended map: OS Explorer 218 Wyre Forest.

Setting out from the new Severn Centre at Highely, this walk makes its way down to the River Severn through part of the country park, crossing the railway. The route then follows the river upstream to Hampton Loade with the chance to call in at the delightful Severn Valley Railway station. The homeward stretch is along the Jack Mytton Way on an ancient undulating high-level bridleway which provides wonderful views across the Severn valley.

The Route

(1) From the Severn Centre cross the Bridgnorth  Road and go forward down Vicarage Lane - a no through road. Ignore a stile, left, and when the rough lane bends sharp left, at a cottage, go right on a wide hedged track. Pass through a gateway and continue downhill with barn conversions and mobile homes on your right.

(2) When the track ends at the boundary of Severn Valley Country Park pass through the right-hand gateway - marked No horses - and go ahead downhill. Cross the Severn Valley Railway line at the Country Park Halt and go forward into a picnic area. Go right for the visitor centre on a clear path through woodland.

 Hampton Loade Ferry

(3) At the bottom of the path do not cross the bridge over the river, but go left for about 15 yards and then go right and left to join the riverside path - the Severn Way. Now follow the good - if occasionally muddy - riverside path upstream for one and three-quarter miles passing through a series of wicket gates and over stiles to eventually exit on to a lane at Hampton Loade.

Highley Railway Station

(4) Go left up the road, with the Unicorn Inn on the right, and the railway station, left. Pass under the rail bridge and keep on the lane. When the road bends sharp right go left on a signed bridleway which carries the Jack Mytton Way. Cross a stile and go forward through two gateways with a farmyard on your left. Continue ahead on a wide enclosed path which climbs gently on a stony surface. Keep ahead as the clear undulating route passes through Londonderry Coppice. Pass though a gateway and go forward on the right-hand boundary of a field. Pass to the right of woodland, through a gateway and ahead towards a farm.

(5) Pass through a gateway and immediately go half left down the field towards a collection of small ponds in the middle of the field. The definitive line of the bridleway passes between the ponds going through two gates. It might, however, be easier walking to veer right on the approach to the ponds and skirt round the edge of the right-hand pool. Pick up the line of path at the second gate between the ponds and with water on your left, bear slightly right and ahead to a bridle gate.

(6) Pass through the gate and go half left diagonally across the field - a caravan camping site - to a pass through a waymarked gateway - ignoring the single gate in the top facing corner. Go forward on the dirt track to pass straight through the yard of Woodend Farm and out on the enclosed roadway. Keep ahead on this rough road - ignoring a crossing footpath - and passing a house to your left. At a cottage go right uphill retracing steps back to the Severn Centre.

 The River Severn

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