Length:                     See information below

Duration:                 routes range from 40 minutes to 90 minutes

Difficulty:                 Easy

Direction:                Circular

Accessibility:          Wheelchair accessibility – partial blue route

 

Summary

Whether you just fancy a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, Blithfield has something for everyone.

Located just outside Abbots Bromley in East Staffordshire Blithfield walks and viewing facilities, allow visitors to see the wide variety of wildlife which can be found here.

There are three walks open to the public, taking in a wildflower meadow, ancient semi-natural woodland and the reservoir shoreline.

Blue Route: approx 40 minutes

This walk is partially suitable for wheelchairs and were provided with advice and assistance from Natural England and the West Midland Bird Club.

The Blue Route will take you through a mix of broadleaf and coniferous woodland including English oak, sycamore, maple, birch, Scots pine and larch.

Listen for the tapping of woodpeckers or the cry of a pheasant. In the winter, redwings, fieldfares, siskins and occasionally crossbills are to be found here.

Wander to The Dell at the far end of the walk, and you will find a bird feeder station and hide where you can spend time watching the many varieties of birds.

 

Red Route: approx 60 minutes (seasonal bluebell walk)

The Red Route begins in broadleaf woodland and traverses a field before crossing Tad Brook Bridge over the Tad Arm, which is one of the main feeds into the reservoir.

From there the boardwalk goes through wetland, which has become home to more than 50 types of plant such as tufted vetch, meadowsweet and bird’s-foot-trefoil as well as being a popular haunt for colourful dragonflies, thanks to specially created dragonfly ponds.

At the end of the boardwalk you enter Broompit Plantation, where another bird feeder station and hide are to be found, along with the remains of the old marl pits used in building the reservoir dam.

Springtime visitors will also be greeted with the sight of a natural blue carpet in the bluebell wood.

 

Yellow Route: approx 90 minutes (seasonal bluebell walk)

The Yellow Route continues on from the Blue Route as it crosses the drive at the stone trough. The walk cuts through a wildflower meadow before entering Stansley Wood, which is carpeted with bluebells in spring – choose the path through the trees for the best view.

The scenery changes dramatically past the ‘petrified pond’ as the reservoir comes into sight. Here walkers are directed into a field, as the reservoir track has no public access. On reaching Beech Tree Point, there is a bird hide and toilet. Re-entering Stansley Wood, the path returns to the wildflower meadow.

At the stone trough, the second half of the Blue Route can be used to return to the car park along the wheelchair-friendly path (via the Dell hide and feeder station) adding 20 minutes.

 

Starting Point:

Blithfield Walks Car Park, Rugeley, WS15 3PL

 

Facilities:

• Parking                           FREE
• Wheelchair                    Partial Blue Route
• Toilet                               YES
• Dogs                               YES on leads

 

Opening times:

subject to  time of year, please see website

 

You can download free route maps from South Staffordshire Water website here

and you can fins out all about the history of Blithfield Reservoir here.

 

Click on the first image to start the slide show