Arrow Valley Circular Trails

Woodland Trail

Down in the woods, even though you are in the middle of a town, you may see Fallow or even Muntjac Deer, as well as other small mammals. There are lots of paths through the woods and waymarkers clearly guide you along the 2 ½ mile trail. Colourful species like Crab Apple, Field Maple and Ash are just a few of the trees you will see along the route. Listen hard and you will hear many of the hundreds of birds that make their homes in these woods; a Great Spotted Woodpecker bashing at a tree perhaps, a family of Long Tailed Tits passing overhead, or a tuneful Robin singing gleefully in the nearby bushes. Beautiful Bluebells carpet the ground in May, a sure sign that summer is just around the corner.

Meadows Trail

For a colourful walk in spring and summer, the Meadows Trail covers 1 ½ miles. Over 100 species of wild flowers and grasses grow along the trail including Ragged Robin, Ox-Eye Daisy and Birdsfoot Trefoil, also known as eggs and bacon because of its deep yolk-yellow and meaty red colouring. The meadows attract butterflies such as Common Blue and Painted Lady. They are cut in early summer using traditional methods that encourage wild flowers to flourish, unlike modern management methods.

Lakeside Trail

Around the lake there is also plenty to see. This 1 mile route is surfaced throughout, with lots of benches well positioned to sit and watch the world go by. Feed the swans and Mallards, look out for elegant Great Crested Grebes, watch boats on the water, and stroll along the River Arrow. If you keep the lake on your left, you really can't get lost.

Millers Trail

Follow the 2 mile route of the River Arrow along the Millers Trail for a colourful historic walk. The river was once used to power many mills along its banks. You can still see several of the millponds along the route. They are great havens for wildlife today, but were originally created to store water from the river to power the mills. Allow time to explore the abbey ruins and Forge Mill Needle Museum, before continuing along the path back towards the Countryside Centre. If you are lucky you may see a Kingfisher as it flies low above the water.

All the routes start and finish at the Countryside Centre and none of them have any stiles. Arrow Valley Country Park is the largest area of open space in Redditch. The Country Park includes a 30 acre man-made lake in the centre, with mature and younger woodlands, the River Arrow meandering through and some wildlife rich meadows. There are also refreshments, play areas and watersports facilities at the Park.