Event Description
Rail Trails Worcestershire is a new initiative that will eventually provide a walking route connecting all stations in Worcestershire. The idea is that the public either walk a stretch of new path and come back to the start point on the train or do it the opposite way round.
This 3-day walk follows a 32 mile section along the ‘Cotswold Line’ from Great Malvern station to Evesham. The three stages are: Great Malvern to Worcester Foregate Street (12 miles); Worcester Foregate Street to Pershore (11 miles) and Pershore to Evesham (9 miles).
The first stage is Great Malvern to Worcester Foregate Street. Leaving Gt Malvern station, we make our way through Gt Malvern to pick up a section of the Three Choirs Way, as far as Powick. Our path takes past Madresfield Court; over Old Hills; between two former gatehouses to Stanbrook Abbey in Callow End and then on to Powick Old Bridge and Mill. The Monarch’s Way takes us along the River Teme to its confluence with the River Severn, on to the Diglis footbridge and through the city to Foregate Street station where we catch a train to return to Malvern.
On the second day we travel by train from Great Malvern to Foregate Street from where we walk to Pershore via Worcester Woods Country Park, Spetchley Hall Estate, Peopleton, Wolverton Hall and Pinvin.
On the final day we take the train to Pershore and walk to Wyre Mill and Marina. The rest of the walk follows Shakespeare’s Avon Way, through Wyre Piddle; the delightful village of Fladbury; along the Avon to Jubilee Bridge and on to Charlton with its pretty village green. We drop down to take the hand-drawn Hampton Ferry over the Avon and walk along the riverside to Evesham station for our return to Malvern.
No steep sections and very few stiles
Please bring a packed lunch, snacks and plenty to drink.
Distance: 32 miles
Duration: Day 1: 6 hours. Day 2: 5½ hours. Day 3: 4½ hours. Plus train time
Difficulty: Hard
Date: 29th May 2023 – 31st May 2023
Start time: 9:30 am
Walk leader: Lyndon Bracewell
Start location: Meet at main entrance, Great Malvern Station
WR14 3AU
Grid reference: SO 782 457
Further details: Limited free parking is available on Station Approach and off Thorngrove Road and on nearby streets. The main Priory Road Car Park is a 5-minute walk away and costs £3 per day.
Participants will be responsible for their own transport costs for getting to the start each day and for the return train journey at the end of each day’s walk. There is an additional £1 cost for using the ferry at Evesham.
