Wyre Forest - there's more to see than Go Ape at this beautiful forest

Wyre Forest is located to the west of Birmingham and is the largest woodland National Nature Reserve in the UK. We wanted to write about this forest because despite how much it has to offer visitors, we feel it is often overlooked in favour of other, better-known forests. It's also often best-known as the site of a Go Ape course rather than a forest that is great for walking.

Let's talk about why we love Wyre Forest, including trails you can follow and other things you can do during your visit:

What are the popular trails within the forest?

As we mentioned in our introduction, there are a few trails that you can explore throughout the forest, mostly walking trails. All of these are pretty straightforward and would be suitable for a family and dogs, but they still offer great views and variety. The options include:

Woodpecker

If you're looking for a walk that combines lots of things to see with a good distance, Woodpecker is definitely a good choice. At just over 2 miles long, this trail is still ideal for families but also provides a bit of a challenge. You'll walk past the Valley of the Giants which is part of the Go Ape course, and you'll also see the rare Whitty Pear tree.

Wren

This walk is ideal for anyone walking with younger kids - at just under 1 mile in length it is really straightforward, plus there are benches along the route if you need to take a break. There are also a few Gruffalo themed things to keep an eye out for along the trail, which is great for keeping younger ones engaged.

Buzzard

This is the longest trail in Wyre Forest at 3 miles long, and gives you a good mix of woodland and forest pools. This walk can get a little muddy so make sure you have proper walking boots with you.

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Visiting Wyre Forest (2022)

The forest is open to visitors between 8am and 6pm every day apart from Christmas. There are parking facilities on-site, and you can park all day for £5 or for up to 2 hours for £3. Accessible toilets are there, as well as a cafe and even a dog wash.