Waseley Hill Country Park

Enjoy the lofty freedom of this park, which is largely open hillside, with some woodland areas, rising to almost 1000 feet. The contrasting views are spectacular; the M5 curves round the base of the hill to plunge northwards into the Black Country; north east is Birmingham city centre and west lies the rolling farmland of north Worcestershire, stretching across to the River Severn. The Malvern and Cotswold Hills can both be seen in the distance from the toposcope on the summit of Windmill Hill.

Green fields, high hedges and superb views make this a perfect spot for a brisk walk or a gentle stroll. With two waymarked trails around the park you can explore the hills with confidence, discovering more about the wildlife and landscape features around you with the help of the trail leaflets.  If you want to stride out on your own, the choices are unlimited, with several paths linking to the wider countryside from Waseley Hills. The North Worcestershire Path passes through here, and the Illey Way starts or finishes at Waseley Hills Country Park.

Waseley Hills also has a popular orienteering course, a fun word and map game for all the family. It uses clues to help you find the posts dotted around the park. It's a great way to explore the park and you can choose the level of difficulty you want. If you don't want to travel so far, the adventure play area is right next to the picnic area and main car park, and includes an aerial runway, scramble nets and stepping-stones. Next to the main play area a toddlers play area has been created for those not quite ready for the big toys.

Rainfall on the east of the hills drains to the Trent Valley and North Sea. Rain falling on the west drains via the River Salwarpe into the Bristol Channel, making Waseley a natural watershed. You can stand with one foot one each side of the country! The grass here is very short as it is heavily grazed by rabbits, with the help of a few cattle at certain times of year. The word Waseley comes from the Saxon word 'waer' meaning sheep and 'ley' meaning field, indicating that it has been grazed for many centuries. Grassland is a very special place for wildlife. Many birds actually nest on the ground here, so do take care in spring and keep dogs under control. Skylarks are a good example of ground nesting birds here. Their wonderful flight song can be heard all around the hills on a sunny day.

The Country Park is home to lots of interesting and valuable wildlife.  Gnarled Hawthorns in the ancient hedgerows offer white blossom in May and sparkle with scarlet berries in October. Segebourne Coppice is particularly good for birdsong and Bluebells. Hang around the pools and you are sure to see lots of wildlife. frogs, dragonflies, birds coming to drink or bathe, and specialist water plants are all there to be admired by the quiet observant visitor.

The café and Information Centre are housed in an ancient timber framed threshing barn, originally from Lower Smite Farm in Hindlip. It was very dilapidated, but was moved to Waseley Hills and carefully restored. Even much of the original flag stone floor has been restored. The barn is a very early example of its type and is dated May 11th 1695.

Waseley Hills is visited by over 200,000 people each year, testimony to its popularity. There is an active volunteer group who help look after the countryside. There are linking paths from Rubery and Frankley and a smaller car park at the south end of the site. Even though the city is right next-door, you really can feel you've got away from it all at Waseley Hills.

www.worcestershire.gov.uk/countryside