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Blackhouse Wood Nature Reserve

Blackhouse Wood Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

Blackhouse Wood Nature Reserve

Hiking

5.0

(14)

This Highlight is in a protected area

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Malvern Hills National Landscape

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Location: Suckley, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire, West Midlands Region, England, United Kingdom

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Alex Foxfield

March 19, 2021

Hiking

Cloaked across part of the Suckley Hills, Blackhouse Wood Nature Reserve is a rich and ancient semi-natural woodland. The green heart-shaped leaves of the lime tree are a welcome sight; the large-leaved lime is among the rarest of Britain's native lime trees.

Wood vetch, nettle-leaved bellflower, rock rose, yellow wort, wild thyme and tutsan all benefit from the ridge's geology. The reserve is also a stronghold for moths, with around 500 species recorded here.

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Nearby routes

Best routes near Blackhouse Wood Nature Reserve

3.6

(5)

hikers

#1.

Suckley Hills on the Worcestershire Way loop from Knightwick

16.0km

04:25

270m

280m

Embark on a moderate hike through the Suckley Hills on the Worcestershire Way loop from Knightwick, covering 9.9 miles (16.0 km) with an elevation gain of 901 feet (275 metres). This rewarding route typically takes around 4 hours and 24 minutes to complete, leading you through varied terrain including verdant woodlands, gently rolling hills, farmlands, and orchards. You will enjoy picturesque views across the Teme Valley and towards the distant Malvern Hills, experiencing a mix of footpaths and some steeper sections that can be slippery after rain.

Starting from the small and pretty village of Knightwick, you can easily access the trailhead. Consider hiking in spring or summer to witness the vibrant orchards and woodlands filled with bluebells and other flora, or visit in winter for expansive views when the trees are bare. After your hike, you might enjoy refreshments at The Talbot, a 15th-century coaching inn located conveniently in Knightwick.

This loop forms a popular section of the longer Worcestershire Way, a 31-mile (50 km) long-distance footpath. A key highlight is Blackhouse Wood Nature Reserve, an ancient semi-natural woodland known for rare large-leaved lime trees and diverse plant species like wood vetch and wild thyme. The Suckley Hills are nestled between the Abberley Hills and the Malvern Hills, offering a delightful and quiet part of Worcestershire to explore within the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

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Moderate

4.5

(6)

hikers

#2.