Wyre Forest

	Description
	Geology and Landscape
	Facilities
	Opening times
	Photo gallery
	Contact information

The Wyre Forest (Forestry Commission) is one of the largest ancient oak woodlands in England and its patchwork of habitats is invaluable for wildlife such as Fallow Deer, Adders, Dormice and Wood Ants. Wyre and its surrounding woodlands are fantastic places to enjoy the fresh air and have fun outdoors. There is something for everyone all year round, from walking and family cycling to Go Ape, learning and adventure play.

There are 3 waymarked walks of varying length (including an all ability trail) and a family bike trail, all allowing you to explore and discover different parts of the forest. Information accompanying these trails is available from the Forest Café.

Orienteering courses are set up at Callow Hill and Hawkbatch – maps and information can be obtained from the Forest Café. Horse riding is allowed by permit. There is a network of trails linking up with bridleways. Permit and maps are from the Forest Café. There is also a Go Ape! Hire wire course offering a thrilling treetop adventure. GoApe! 0845643215. Book via website www.goape.co.uk

Visit the Wyre Community Discovery Centre building incorporates various green technologies and has views into the forest. Here the Discovery Centre team organises educational programmes for school groups of all ages. During the school holidays it runs a programme of activities for children and families. Craft courses and wildlife focus days for adults are also held at the Discovery Centre and there are numerous volunteering opportunities for those with some time to spare.

Geology and Landscape

The Wyre Forest is underlain by rocks belonging to a period of time known as the Carboniferous, approximately 310 million years ago. At this time the layout of the oceans and continents across the Earth was very different from today. England and Wales were part of the supercontinent of Pangaea just south of the equator. Most of the world’s land surface was then centred on the equator. The environment and landscape then differed greatly from that seen today. It was a dynamic mixture of tropical forests, swamps and sandy deltas fed by rivers that frequently flooded. This dynamism is reflected in the variety of sedimentary rock types seen both in the Forest.

The Carboniferous swamp environment was probably similar to a modern day equatorial forest. The trees, however, were a mixture of primitive types, lacking the flowers of their modern counterparts. They were mostly fern-like or else giant predecessors of the present-day horsetails, which grew up to 10m tall. There were huge dragonflies with a 1.5m wingspan and amphibians like giant newts that were still dependent on water for breeding.

Explore the Geology and Landscape of the Wyre Forest

Geology along the Woodpecker (green) trail (3.5 km/2.2 miles) – leaflet available from the Visitor Centre, Discovery Centre and as a download

The Geopark Way long distance walking trail passes through the Wyre Forest. Section 4 of the trail guide Kinlet to Bewdley. Trail guide available from Bewdley Tourist Information Centre at Bewdley Museum

Section 4 of the Geopark Way also available as an App. The app has a map of the section overlain on an interactive geology map. Using GPS you get your position and a feed of data about the geology and other information as you walk. Other information’ includes photos of the walk with directional guidance, 3D cross-sections, and interpretations of past environments. Created by BrooksDesigns

Explore Geological Time and the Evolution of Life along the Geological Timeline at the Wyre Forest Discovery Centre

Visit the Callow Hill GeoChampions site. The quarry lies some 200m from the Wyre Forest Discovery Centre. The quarry consists of Carboniferous conglomerates, sandstones and siltstones together with exhibiting sedimentary features. There is an interpretation board on site and an information leaflet is available. Access is restricted. Please contact the Community Conservation Champions.

Schools education programme for Key Stages 1 & 2 ‘Rocks and Soils’

Explore the bedrock and superficial geology of the Severn Valley Country Park area on the British Geological Surveys ‘Geology of Britain Viewer’ – click here to be directed to their webpage

Facilities

There’s lots on offer at the Wyre Forest, so you’re sure to find something to suit you and your family or group:

Extensive network of footpaths and bridleways
Waymarked trails, including the Geopark Way – Britains long distance geology themed walking trail
Permanent orienteering course
Cyle Family trail, Blue Trail and mountain biking. Route 45 cycle trail between Bridgnorth and Bewdley

Forest Cafe
Picnic areas
Playground
Toilets
Go Ape
Main carpark at Forest Cafe/Discovery Centre:
- Car £3
- Minibuses £4
- Coaches £6
- Horseboxes £4

Discovery Centre
- A wide range of programmes for schools
- A range of fun activities for children and families
- Forest School
- Interactive displays about the forest
- Geological Timeline
- Join a learning ranger-led forest sessions – every Wednesday during the summer holidays, either from 10.30 to 12.30 or 1.30 to 3.30. There will be a different forest themed activity each week. Phone 0300 067 4855 for more details

Step-Out (a Community Interest Company)
- Learning and Forest School
- Forest school practitioner training
- Mountain bike programmes
- Recreation programmes
- Health & wellbeing
- Corporate days & training