The Clent Hills lie 10 miles (16 km) south-west of Birmingham city centre in Clent, Worcestershire, England. The closest towns are Stourbridge and Halesowen, both in the West Midlands conurbation. The Clent Hills range consists of, in order from north-west to south-east: Wychbury Hill, Clent Hill (and Adams Hill), and Walton Hill (and Calcot Hill). The north Worcestershire range of hills continues eastwards to include Romsley Hill, Waseley Hills and the Lickey Hills.
Clent Hill is the most popular hillwalking hill in the range, although it is not often mentioned because the whole area is referred to as Clent Hills. Just under a million visitors a year are estimated to come to the hills, making them Worcestershire's most popular non-paying attraction.
Clent appears in the Domesday Book as "Klinter", and may be derived from the old Scandinavian word klint for a cliff. Once part of a Mercian forest, the hills contain the remains of a multi-vallate, Iron Age hillfort on Wychbury Hill. According to local historian John Amphlett, a battle between ancient Britons and Romans was fought on Clent Heath.
The Clent Hills are graced with several classically inspired architectural works from about the 1750s. Most of them are in the private grounds of Hagley Hall but most of them are visible from public areas. Lord Lyttelton of Hagley Hall constructed the Wychbury Obelisk on Wychbury Hill in 1758, which is visible for many miles, even from the Clee Hills. Lord Lyttelton also had constructed many other follies including a Temple of Theseus, other small Greek and Roman temples, a full sized ruined mock castle (his lands did not contain a real one!) and The Four Stones on top of Clent Hill.
The Clent Hills are also well known for their role in the legend of St. Kenelm, who was murdered on a hunting trip at the north eastern slopes of Clent Hill in 821 AD. The church of St. Kenelm in the parish of Romsley marks the site of his murder. The church is the starting point of the 60 mile (97 km) walk St Kenelm's Trail. One source of the River Stour is within the grounds of St. Kenelm's church.
The summits of the two largest hills, Clent Hill and Walton Hill are now the property of the National Trust. Clent Hill Common was managed by a Board of Conservators from 1881 to 1959. Walton Hill Common became regulated common land (under Commons Act 1899) in 1935. Both commons and the woodlands between them were given by Worcestershire County Council and Bromsgrove Rural District Council to the National Trust in 1959.
Both hills were then managed by a Management Committee of the National Trust until 1974, when the committee became advisory only. Both the Conservators and Management Committee were largely funded by contributions from neighbouring local authorities, particularly in the Black Country. In 1974, the hills became a country park, managed by Hereford & Worcester County Council under the Countryside Act 1968. In 1995, management reverted to the National Trust, which set up a new Advisory Committee in 2000.
Clent Hills were featured in the BBC's website magazine in which Match of the Day 2 presenter Adrian Chiles chose it as his favourite 'hidden tourist attraction'.
Beacons. In 1588 a beacon was placed on the Bicknall as part of the chain set up to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada.
For Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee A. E. Housman watched the beacons from the summit of Walton Hill. He wrote in a letter to his mother that at 10 o'clock the night of 22 June 1897 (the hour designated for the event) he could see 52 just to the south and west. He did not try to count those northwards because "it was hard to tell the beacons from the ordinary illuminations of the Black Country". The one on the Malvern Hills was so large that during the day it had been visible from Walton Hill, and as it was saturated with paraffin it burned very brightly but only for an hour. By 2 o'clock, Houseman wrote that in the distance two could still be seen still burning somewhere near the Brown Clee, and three nearer, one towards Droitwich, one on Kinver Edge (it continued to burn brightly until dawn), and the Clent Hill beacon which was not near the summit but on the south west face.
In 1977 a bonfire beacon was built close to the summit of Walton Hill and lit on the 6 June as one of a national chain that started with one lit by the Queen at Windsor Castle to mark the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II. Another was lit on 4 June 2012 for the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II. It was 12 feet (3.7 metres) high and 8 feet (2.4 metres) wide, and situated on Clent Hill close to the Four Stones.
** – The View – **
The hills rise to a height of 1,037 feet (316 m) on Walton Hill, with views over the Malvern Hills, Kinver Edge, The Wrekin, Wenlock Edge, Shatterford Hill, Clee Hills and back round to Kidderminster, Stourbridge, Dudley, Halesowen and Turners Hill. On a clear day you can even see as far as the Black Mountains of Wales, the Cotswolds, the Peak District and Charnwood Forest. A toposcope indicates the mountains visible.
Landmarks visible from the hills include Dudley Castle, the large Droitwich AM transmitters near Bromsgrove, the large silos (now demolished for housing) on the Ex British Sugar Corporation land in Kidderminster, Ironbridge Power Station, near Telford and the nearby Wychbury Obelisk. It is because of this that the hills are very popular with hillwalking visitors and local ramblers groups. The hills are criss-crossed with many public footpaths. A popular means of access to Clent Hill is from Nimmings car park, off Hagley Wood Lane. From this an easy access walk route leads to the ridge. Another popular access is from the public car park on Adams Hill. Adams Hill is not a separate hill, but the name for the hamlet (part of the parish of Clent) and the slope that form the south west flank of Clent Hill.
In 2009 Cooper Partnership (a firm of Chartered Landscape Architects) were commissioned to "identify and assess a selection of key views to and from the Malvern Hills" by the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership. Coopers identified 50 key views from vantage points some on the Malvern Hills and others from other vantage points looking at the Malverns. At 22 miles (35 km) the view from the Clent Hills was the most distant. They rated importance of the view as special and the sensitivity as high and wrote that the Clent Hills had "many pedestrian and equestrian users" and in "[a] lovely environment of countryside pursuits" the vista contained a:
'180 degree panoramic view towards the south-west from elevated viewpoint on SW facing slope of Clent Hills, affording long distance views. Malvern Hills seen to the left of view in the context of other hill ranges seen to the centre and right of view. Generally hilly foreground with scattered settlements on lower lying land. Urban areas of Kidderminster and Stourbridge seen in centre mid-ground. [At] night-time: scattered light sources. The distinctive outline of the Malvern Hill peaks is seen on the distant skyline as a back-drop to the view in the left of view, and appears further in distance to the other hill ranges seen to the centre/right distance. Far-fetching views of hill ranges, including that of Malvern Hills is impressive, across a generally rural setting. … The view of wide range of hills is impressive.'
— Cooper Partnership.
The hills along with the Lickey Hills form a range of hills in north Worcestershire known as the Clent-Lickey range (or the Clent-Lickey ridge). The largest of the Clent Hills is Walton Hill which is 1,037 feet (316 metres) high followed by Clent Hill at 1,014 feet (309 metres). They are separated by a valley known as St. Kenelm's Pass, which starts as an escarpment one side of which, along with the sides of the two hills, falls away towards Uffmoor Wood; water flowing down this slope enters streams which become the River Stour.
Close to the top of the escarpment, but just on the other side, stands High Harcourt Farm (which belongs to the National Trust, but its farm land is not open to the public). Below the farm the escarpment falls away and becomes a sharp V valley in which a stream flows down into Clent village. Where the valley sides are at their steepest the Walton Hill side of the valley is known as Clatterbach. In the past, before steam power replaced water power, the stream in the valley was dammed at regular intervals to provide power for watermills. The remains of one such dam can be seen behind the Vine Inn in Clent which was once a mill.
Either side of the two largest hills are two more hills. Beside Clent Hill is Wychbury Hill and beside Walton Hill is Calcot Hill. Calcot Hill is not really a separate hill but at the end of a long spur which runs from the summit of Walton Hill for about a mile. There is a public footpath along the spur joining the two hills. Alongside the spur is another deep V shaped valley which was also dammed at frequent intervals to provide power to its mills. This stream flows on to the village of Belbroughton in which the Nash Crown Scythe Works used the water to power its machinery.
On the other side of the valley is Romsley Hill, the valley banks of which are covered by Great Farley Wood. Beyond Romsley Hill are a number of lower hills (Windmill, Chapman's and Waseley) which join the Clent Hills to the Lickey Hills in one continuous chain. The National Trust land on the hills encompass 440 acres (180 ha) of woodland (both natural deciduous and coniferous forest plantations) and heathland, important for wildlife including fallow deer and common buzzard, plus visiting ring ouzel and common crossbill.
** – Historic Walk – **
Dogs are free to run around off-the-lead on this lovely circular walk, which passes through fields and woodland, and offers some fantastic panoramic views. The walk is classified as Easy and is two miles long. It should take around 45 minutes. Five accessible parking spaces are located near the café at Nimmings Wood car park as well as an accessible toilet. Some routes have been improved to give easier access, but most are on naturally uneven grassy ground or woodland floor
A wide path, suitable for most wheelchairs and pushchairs, travels half a mile from Nimmings Wood car park to the Standing Stones.
Start: Nimmings Wood car park.
1. Climb up a gentle zig-zag slope into the woodland from the car park. Turn right and follow the wide and level easy access path through the trees, with some fine views and resting points.
2. Emerging from the trees you reach a topograph and can view the sweeping panorama looking west towards Wenlock Edge and the Malvern Hills. Turn left and walk up towards The Four Stones, which offer fantastic views; to the west is the Severn Valley and the Welsh border, while to the north is Birmingham and the Black Country.
The Four Stones on the summit of Clent Hill may look old and mysterious but they were actually created in the 18th century by Lord Lyttleton as part of his landscaping project. This folly acted as an eye catcher to impress his guests.
3. With your back to The Four Stones, continue on past the toposcope and down the widest, most clearly defined path to your left. At the bottom there is a gate; take the right hand path here. To your left you can see beautiful views of Walton Hill. Continue along the path until you see an area of open grassland to your right with a large fallen tree in the distance. This is the site of the old rangers cottage. Take the path to the left, leading into Deep Wood. Stick to this path all the way down to Dark Pool and a wooden bridge.
Bluebells. During springtime, Deep Wood is awash with bluebells. Over the last few years the warden and a wealth of volunteers have been working hard to clear scrub and thin out trees so that more dormant bluebell seeds have a chance to grow.
4. Cross over the bridge at Dark Pool and walk up the slope of the wood, take care not to trip on exposed tree roots. Look up through the woodland canopy and you might catch sight of a buzzard circling above. At the top of this climb, turn right back up the path and continue along this path until you get to the gate.
Dark Pool. The area to the left of Deep Wood and Dark Pool has been set aside as an arboretum where more exotic trees such as a monkey puzzle can be found. In autumn Dark Pool is transformed into a leafy wonderland of bright copper and huey reds. Your dog will love paddling around in here.
5. Walking through the gate you will often see wood piles which the warden and his volunteers have collected from the hills. Continue on the path directly in front of you back to the topograph area. Take the lower path below the topograph. The bilberry bushes with their deep purple berries show that our attempts to restore dry acid grassland to Clent are working well. Plants that thrive on this habitat provide a great environment for insects, which in turn attract birdlife.
Grassland Conservation. The National Trust are committed to restoring dry acid grassland, now a rare habitat throughout the UK. It was once prevalent on Clent when animals grazed the land, keeping down any new plant growth by eating seeds and shoots before they could establish themselves. When the animals were removed, scrub, bracken and trees started to take over and the grassland and wildlife it supported was lost. Through careful management, plants such as bilberry, sheep sorrel and heath bedstraw are returning, encouraging birds such as linnets and willow warblers, and butterflies such as small copper and small heath, as well as solitary bees.
End: Nimmings Wood car park. You made it!
** – History Walk – **
This short walk leads through woodland to the top of a hill where on a clear day the Welsh Black Mountains are visible on the horizon. Visitors in spring will see the hillside and woodland floor coloured lilac by bluebells. The walk is classified as Easy and is one mile long. It should take around 25 minutes. Tea-rooms serving light lunches, hot and cold drinks and cake. Toilets including baby change unit and disabled access. There is a shop and there are water bowls and dog waste bins. This is a dog-friendly walk but please keep them on a lead in the car parks and under close control in areas grazed by livestock.
Start: Nimmings Wood car park.
1. Climb up a gentle zig-zag slope into the woodland from Nimmings café and information point. Turn right and follow an easy access path through the trees, with some fine views and resting points on the way. Just 8 miles (12.8km) from Birmingham, the Clent Hills have attracted huge numbers of visitors since the early 19th century when they formed a picturesque back drop for Hagley Park, the fine home and estate of Lord Lyttelton. Adams Hill was once a tourist honey pot with crowds of people arriving by train. Tourists in the early 1900s enjoyed swing boats, donkey rides and shooting galleries and grass tobogganing. One Victorian report raised concerns about midnight revelling and to discourage such rowdiness the park gates were locked to the public for a while. This didn't last for long though and by the early 1900s, the hills were more popular than ever.
'Bicknall' Beacon. Bicknall Beacon on Clent Hill was such a good viewpoint that in 1588 it was used as part of a chain of bonfires which sent warning of the Spanish Armada into the Midlands.
2. Emerging from the woods you reach a sweeping panorama looking west towards Wenlock Edge and the Malvern Hills. Return to your start point via the all-ability path you came on or turn left and walk up to what appears to be some prehistoric standing stones... The views from here are some of the best in the Clent Hills. To the west is the Severn Valley and the Welsh border, while to the north is Birmingham and the Black Country.
The Four Stones. The Four Stones on the summit of Clent Hill may look ancient and mysterious, but they were actually created in the 1770s for Lord Lyttleton as a folly to be viewed from down in the valley by visitors.
3. Skirt to the left of the clump of trees behind the standing stones and enter through a gate into Horses Mane Woodland. As you walk through this area, youll pass lots of old beech pollards. These are 250-year-old trees which were cut just above head height so that they sprouted a mass of branches low down, providing food for livestock. Today, they are home to insects, beetles and nesting birds. Listen out for, or try to spot, birds like thrush, nuthatch, redstart, warblers and perhaps even a greater-spotted woodpecker.
Yellowhammer. The colourful yellowhammer can be found in and around the woodland and scrubby hillsides here. They have an interesting high-pitched song which is said to sound a bit like 'a-little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese'.
4. While taking care not to trip on exposed tree roots, look up through the woodland canopy and you may catch sight of buzzard circling above. Skirt left and return to the car park.
Conservation. Donkey rides and grass-toboganning were among the activities that thrilled visitors but led to quite severe erosion of the Clent grassland. At the same time local farmers grazed their sheep and cattle less and less on the hills. All this meant that if the open landscape wasn't being churned into mud by tourists, it was being invaded by bracken and scrub. Today the National Trust is restoring acid heathland here. It is now a rare habitat throughout the UK, but a great environment for supporting birds like linnet, butterflies such as the small heath and small copper, and solitary bees.
End: Nimmings Wood car park. You made it!
** – Natures Harvest Walk – **
Sitting only 8 miles (12.8 kilometres) outside Birmingham, the hills offer a haven of peace and tranquillity, with beautiful woodland and plenty of wildlife, perfect to blow away the cobwebs with an autumn ramble. Join the many day-trippers who have travelled to the Clent Hills from nearby towns and cities for more than 200 years. This walk is classified as Easy and is two miles long. It should take around one hour. Tea-rooms serving light lunches, hot and cold drinks and cake. Toilets including baby change unit and disabled access. There is a shop and there are water bowls and dog waste bins. This is a dog-friendly walk but please keep them on a lead in the car parks and under close control in areas grazed by livestock.
Start: Nimmings Wood car park.
1. From Nimmings café, climb up a gentle zig-zag slope into the woodland. Turn right and follow the lower path leading down into woodland. At the next crossroad, again stick to the lower path taking you around the boundary fence of Hagley Hall Estate.
Ancient woodland. As you wander through the ancient woodlands, look out for berries to pick from bushes and trees. You will also notice deadwood lying around the woodland floor, this forms an important part of the cycle of tree health by adding nutrients back into the soil and providing a habitat for many invertebrate species, which in turn attract birds and mammals.
2. Continue to follow the same path round the boundary fence, which becomes a red brick wall. Parts of this path can get very muddy, but if you've got your wellies it's a great place to see the beautiful autumn colours and is a more peaceful area of the hillside. You may be lucky enough to spot deer around here too.
Beautiful autumn colours. As you walk through woodland in the Clent Hills you'll be greeted with a spectacular myriad of autumn colours and bustling wildlife. You may notice lots of old beech pollards. These are 250-year-old trees, which were cut just above head height so that they sprouted a mass of branches low down, providing food for livestock. Today, they are home to insects, beetles and nesting birds.
3. The path will take you to New Pool, a natural pond awash with autumn colour from the surrounding mixed deciduous woodland. Leave the path that you have been following and take the smaller path to your left. Follow this path up to the open grassland, where you will be able to see the Hill Tavern pub down to your right.
Grassland and woodland. The open grassland and woodland provides plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting, in particular wintering birds. Redwing, wintering thrush and fieldfare can all be spotted from October onwards. Redwing with its distinctive creamy stripe above its eyes and orangey-red flank, is the UKs smallest thrush and is a threatened species, due to a decline in breeding activity over the last 50 years. Migrating birds, such as wheatear and ring ouzels, might make an appearance too.
4. Walk towards the pub and when you get to the wooden gate, before the road, take the lower path which runs alongside the fence. This takes you up to a bench, have a seat and admire the great views of the Adam's Hill side of Clent village. Follow this path round and look out for a wealth of blackberry bushes to your right. After you've collected a great stash of berries to take home with you, continue along the path as it takes you back up to the top of Clent. Continue to walk along the top, past the Scots Pine Plantations and back toward the topograph.
Open grassland. The National Trust are committed to restoring dry acid grassland, now a rare habitat throughout the UK. It was once prevalent on Clent, when animals grazed the land to keep down any new plant growth by eating seeds and shoots before they could establish themselves. When the animals were removed, scrub, bracken and trees started to take over and the grassland and wildlife it supported was lost. Through careful management plants, such as bilberry, sheep sorrel and heath bedstraw, are returning, encouraging birds, like linnets; butterflies, such as small copper; and solitary bees.
5. At the topograph, you might like to take a look at the different hills and towns you can see from here. There are amazing views of the Cotswolds, Shropshire Hills and Welsh borders. Always changing depending on the weather, one visit is never the same and never enough to take it all in. Take the lower path below the topograph and to your right you will see areas of dry acid grassland, with bilberry bushes full of fruit. This path will take you back towards the car park and café, which is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, and serves hot food and drinks, including luxury hot chocolate.
End: Nimmings Wood car park.
** – Winter Walk – **
This short walk in the Clent Hills is perfect for a winter afternoon family stroll and leads through woodland to the top of the hill, where on a clear day the Welsh Black Mountains are visible on the horizon. The Clent Hills have been enjoyed by winter ramblers from nearby Midlands towns and cities for over 200 years.
This walk is classified as Easy and is one mile long. It should take around thirty minutes. Tea-rooms serving light lunches, hot and cold drinks and cake. Toilets including baby change unit and disabled access. There is a shop and there are water bowls and dog waste bins. This is a dog-friendly walk but please keep them on a lead in the car parks and under close control in areas grazed by livestock.
Start: Nimmings Wood car park.
1. Climb up a gentle zig-zag slope into the woodland from Nimmings café and information point. Turn right and follow an easy access path through the trees, with some fine views and resting points on the way.7
A rare habitat. Donkey rides and grass-tobogganing were among the activities that thrilled visitors here in Victorian times but led to quite severe erosion of the Clent grassland. At the same time local farmers grazed their sheep and cattle less and less on the hills. All this meant that if the open landscape wasn't being churned into mud by tourists, it was being invaded by bracken and scrub. Today the National Trust is restoring acid heathland here. It is now a rare habitat throughout the UK, but a great environment for supporting birds like linnet; butterflies such as the small heath and small copper; and solitary bees.
2. Emerging from the woods you reach a sweeping panorama looking west towards Wenlock Edge and the Malvern Hills. Return to your start point via the all-ability path you came on or turn left and walk up to what appears to be some prehistoric standing stones... The views from here are some of the best in the Clent Hills. To the west is the Severn Valley and the Welsh border, while to the north is Birmingham and the Black Country.
The Four Stones on the summit of Clent Hill may look ancient and mysterious, but they were actually created in the 18th century for Lord Lyttleton as a folly to be viewed from down in the valley by visitors.
3. Skirt to the left of the clump of trees behind the standing stones and enter through a gate into Horses Mane Woodland. Listen out for, or try to spot, birds like thrush, nuthatch, yellowhammer or perhaps even a greater-spotted woodpecker.
Yellowhammer. The colourful yellowhammer can be found in and around the woodland and scrubby hillsides here. They have an interesting high-pitched song which is said to sound a bit like a-little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese. As you walk through this area, youll pass lots of old beech pollards. These are 250-year-old trees which were cut just above head height so that they sprouted a mass of branches low down, providing food for livestock. Today, they are home to insects, beetles and nesting birds.
4. While taking care not to trip on exposed tree roots, look up through the woodland canopy and you may catch sight of buzzard circling above. Skirt left and return to the car park. Why not stop off at Nimmings Wood café for a hot drink and delicious home-made snack to warm you up after your winter walk?
Fir trees. It is thought that this clump of fir trees was most likely planted as part of Lord Lyttletons landscaping and building of follies in the area.
End: Nimmings Wood car park.
** – Facilities – **
The cafe at Clent is famous for its warm and hearty sandwiches, just what you want after a refreshing walk.
The cafe at Nimmings Wood Car Park is not your usual National Trust fare. People come from far and wide for its bacon sandwiches, which you can smell cooking as you walk back down the hill. It is open every day 10am - 4pm and doesn't just serve bacon! You can fill up on sausage sandwiches, soup, cake and a variety of vegetarian and vegan options. The cheese on toast is a firm favourite with their vegetarian volunteers.
Please note - the cafe at Nimmings Wood is cash only and cannot accept National Trust gift vouchers.
General:-
• There is a vast network of walking trails to enjoy around the Clent Hills, including part of the North Worcestershire Way.
• Off-road cyclists are welcome on byways and bridleways. The cycling in this area is more suited to mountain bikers than families.
• The toilets at Nimmings Wood car park are open from 10am - 4pm. The toilets on Adam's Hill are closed until further notice.
• Dogs are welcome at the Clent Hills. Please keep them on a lead in the car park, cafe area and on the Easy Access Route as well asl in areas grazed by livestock.
• There is a picnic area at Nimmings Wood car park.
• A café at Nimmings Wood car park serves light snacks and drinks, including some of the best bacon butties for miles around!
• A walks leaflet is available from the café and at the entrance to Nimmings Wood car park .
• There are several public houses at Adam's Hill.
• Visitor information panels are dotted throughout the estate and a topograph describes the views from the summit of Clent Hill.
• A network of bridleways cross the estate. Adam's Hill is a good starting point for horse riding.
• A permanent Geocaching Trail is available on the hills all year round.
• Orienteering events take place throughout the year. Orienteering events are organised by the Harlequins.
Family:-
• Discover more about the countryside through one of the National Trust's family trails and venture out to spot birds at the bird hide on Walton's Hill.
• Schools should contact the estate office prior to visiting.
Access:-
• Five accessible parking spaces are located near the café at Nimmings Wood car park .
• There is an accessible toilet at Nimmings Wood car park.
• Path and open space surfaces vary around the estate.
• Some routes have been improved to give easier access, but most are on naturally uneven grassy ground or woodland floor.
• A wide path, suitable for most wheelchairs and pushchairs, travels half a mile from Nimmings Wood car park to the Standing Stones .
• Benches are located across the site and at many fine viewpoints.
• Fully accessible café with parking nearby.
Location : near Romsley, Worcestershire
Transport: Hagley (National Rail) then 3.5 miles OR Stourbridge Town (National Rail) then 5 miles. Bus routes: Bus stop 20 minutes walk from Nimmings Wood car park, up a steep hill, on bus route 192 between Birmingham, Halesowen, Hagley and Kidderminster. Alight at Hagley. Bus stop ½ mile from Clent village, on bus route 318 between Stourbridge, Hagley and Bromsgrove.
Opening Times Countryside: Daily, Dawn to Dusk.
Opening Times Nimmings Wood Car Park: Daily, 09:00 to 17:00; Until 4pm Nov. through Feb.
Opening Times Cafe: Daily, 10:00 to 16:00.
Tickets : Free
Tel: 01562 887912
