Severn Valley Country Park

AWARD WINNING

The Green Flag award winning Severn Valley Country Park is the perfect day out for all the family. Set in the peaceful, scenic valley of the River Severn, the park provides 126 acres of beautiful countryside and wonderful views which span both sides of the longest river in the country. The woodlands, ponds and meadows of the park around found in 2 separate sites located at Alveley and Highley. Visitors can explore way-marked walking routes and see rare wildlife that has been lost from the wider countryside. An action-packed events programme including guided walks, activities for kids, outdoor theatre and seasonal self-guided trails ensures there is always something exciting happening.

HISTORY OF SEVERN VALLEY COUNTRY PARK 

Now an oasis of peace and tranquillity, this part of the Severn Valley used to be a centre of industry. Sandstone quarried from the area was shaped in to grindstones as well as being used as building stone. For example, local sandstone was used to build part of Worcester Cathedral. Coal mining started in Highley in 1878. Production was switched to Alveley in 1936 and at this point, the Miners’ Bridge across the river was built. At its peak the mine employed over 1000 men and produced over 300,000 tonnes of coal a year. Due to changes in demand, production shut down in 1969 and the spoil heaps and mine site lay derelict until 1986 when the project to create Severn Valley Country Park was instigated. The project saw the reclamation of land, installation of drainage ditches, re-grading of the spoil heaps and planting of trees leading to the official opening of the park in 1992.

To download a leaflet about the transformation from colliery to country park, click here. The leaflet was produced as part of the Severn Valley Lives in the Landscape project funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Shropshire Council and The Jean Jackson Charitable Trust.

WILDLIFE HABITATS

Severn Valley Country Park  is a great mix of valuable habitats. Hall Close Coppice is semi-natural ancient woodland that is alive with bird song and wildflowers each spring. It is managed by coppicing small areas of hazel and alder and allowing them to re-grow. Spring Pieces is a species-rich grassland. A summer walk through this area will reveal thousands of orchids and other plants including adder’s tongue fern and yellow rattle. An Easy Access Nature Trail takes in a freshwater pond and leads to a fully accessible bird hide overlooking a wetland and reedbed with the chance of seeing a good range of birds. Elfin Pool is a spring-fed pond that is a popular location for pond-dipping. The Riverside Meadows are a great place to see invertebrates including the rare club-tailed dragonfly. Visitors can also join the riverside footpaths and experience longer walking routes taking in the wonderful scenery.