Tom the Botanist

1. The List
   1. ‘Doorstep’ Places
      1. Mitton Marsh Conservation Area
      2. Hartlebury Common Nature Reserve
      3. Hillditch Pools & Coppice
      4. Leapgate Railway Line Country Park
      5. Ruins of the Church of St. Michael
      6. Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal & Basins
      7. Lincomb Lock, River Severn
   2. ‘Drive to’ Places
      1. Wilden Marsh Nature Reserve (WWT)
      2. Burlish Meadows Conservation Area
      3. Burlish Top Local Nature Reserve
2. Background & Motivations
   1. Criteria for Inclusion
   2. Additional Reading

The List

‘Doorstep’ Places

Mitton Marsh Conservation Area

This is a short loop that can be done on foot in around 30 minutes literally from the front doorstep. Follow the footpath that can be picked up from the junction of Millfields Drive and the B4193 which runs along the bank of the River Stour.

The interior of the marsh is a fenced off and is sometimes grazed by cattle, and Hybrid Woundwort Stachys x ambigua is frequent along the riverbank. The footpath exits onto Mill Road. Here, where the Stour passes underneath your feet it feels like you could be in the Peak District, and on a hot day it is a oasis of cool air.

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Hartlebury Common Nature Reserve

Hartlebury Common feels like a truely wild place and supports some brilliant wildlife. The world is your oyster here, with lots of winding paths amongst the bracken and gorse to get lost in. I like to combine the common with a walk through Hillditch Coppice to Charlton Mill.

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Hillditch Pools & Coppice

Whilst this is technically part of the Hartlebury Common Nature Reserve complex, it’s worth visiting in its own right as there are pools and a lovely Alder carr woodland that is full of Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris in the spring.

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Leapgate Railway Line Country Park

The disused branch line of railway line was part of the original Severn Valley Railway and connected Hartlebury to Stourport, which was built around 1862. It is now a brilliant footpath and national cycle route which connects Stourport to Hartlebury passing the viaduct over the River Stour and through deep sandstone cuttings. From the viaduct there are panoramic views over the Wilden Marsh and over to Malvern, where on a clear day you can see the Worcestershire Beacon.

The railway can be accessed from many spots near Stourport: off Wilden Lane near the Rock Tavern, from the canal near the Bird in Hand and at the northern end of Millfields Drive. This walk can be combined with the Hillditch Coppice loop, back onto Hartlebury Common too.

Ruins of the Church of St. Michael

Walk along the towpath of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal from Mill Road, past the Bird in Hand pub and cross the Mitton Chapel No.2 bridge into St. Michael’s Churchyard.

At the western edge of the churchyard is a ruin. There are also some good Geocaches in the churchyard and along the canal towpath which are worth looking for. Combine this walk with a further walk down to the basins.

Remains of church, begun in 1881 but unfinished when consecrated in 1910. Never subsequently completed, and partially demolished in 1980. By George Gilbert Scott, continued after his death by his son, John Oldrid Scott. Sandstone facing over brick core. What survives is the footings for the west wall, and substantial parts of the north and south walls, including the south porch – Historic England

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Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal & Basins

Walk down the canal and follow it underneath the Gilgal into town. Pass the Black Star (a great pub, lovely food and well priced) and cross York Street to get to Mart Lane.

Here there are houses that are listed ancient monuments, as well as the main Stourport basin on your right. Follow Mart Lane down to the river, passing the basin and the Tontine on the right, here you are rewarded with great views of the Severn.

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Lincomb Lock, River Severn

See my previous blog post about this walk, it can easily be done from Stourport by walking south along the lower common and crossing the Worcester Road onto Lincomb Lane. Pass through the caravan park and onto the Severn Way and Lincomb Lock is just a few hundred yards south along the footpath.

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‘Drive to’ Places

Wilden Marsh Nature Reserve (WWT)

3 minute drive. Just down Wilden Lane and you can be at Wilden Marsh Nature Reserve, there is a small layby to park in next to the yard. We visited here with the NWFG in 2022, but that was from Marsh Farm. I’d like to revisit from the public entrance. More detail to follow.

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Burlish Meadows Conservation Area

6 minute drive. This ex-golf course is a botanical treasure trove, with all sorts of oddities turning up due to the disturbance and sandy soils. Parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ARqA76ACXJYjpT9i6. More detail to follow.

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Burlish Top Local Nature Reserve

7 minute drive. Mixed grassland, heathland and woodland habitats. Apparently some of the best lowland acid grassland in the county. There is a small car park further up the Kingsway from Burlish Meadows. This can be linked with a walk to the Rifle Range and Devil’s spittleful.

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