A Walk around Trench Wood

This walk explores both the wood itself and some of the surrounding countryside to give participants some wider context to this ancient remnant of the old Forest of Feckenham. Largely owned by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT), which presently has an appeal to increase the size of this SSSI, it is managed with the assistance of volunteers from WM-BAMS and Butterfly Conservation. Further information can be found in Butterflies of the West Midlands, Walk 20, and on the WM-BAMS website.

 Sign explaining the history of the woodlands and its importance for invertebrates

 Trench Wood is a haven for butterflies, home to many of our common local species alongside some of the less widespread including White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Wood White, Brown and Purple Hairstreaks, and Purple Emperor.

 Route to follow: westwards through Trench Wood, southwards along the canal, eastwards past Fillet Wood and into Pope's Wood

© Crown copyright 2026 Ordnance Survey. Media 042/26.

 The walk starts from the car park at SO 930588 and is 6.21km with 45m of descent and ascent. There are numerous paths throughout the wood – the ones we have chosen give a good chance of butterfly sightings in the relevant seasons. Outside the wood, we have mostly followed public rights-of-way with one exception detailed in the text. Stout shoes or boots are recommended as the terrain is uneven and can be muddy at times.

 

As you head up the main track from the car park, look out for Purple Emperor and Purple Hairstreak. It's worth a deviation round the circular walk in the meadow area on the right, just past the first intersection, before continuing up the ride to the next intersection where you turn right. There's plenty of bramble on your right, where both Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral can be seen. Continue on this ride, ignoring tracks to right and left, until after 600m you turn left at an intersection and head SW to the edge of the wood.

In front of you is a sloping wildflower meadow which is part of the land that WWT hopes to purchase with its present appeal. Here turn right and follow the edge of the wood until you see a footpath sign pointing downhill through the meadow, where there are usually plenty of butterflies to be seen. Walk down to the gate into the next field and follow the footpath signs along the hedgerow into the next field, where you turn SSW to join Netherwood Lane at a gate. Turn right, cross the level crossing and bear right at the finger post down to the canal towpath, where you turn left.

 Silver-washed Fritillary f. Valezina

 You now follow the towpath along the Worcester-Birmingham canal for 1km, with views to your left of Trench Wood on the ridge. Just before Tibberton Winding Hole on the canal (where narrowboats can turn round), there's an entrance into Tibberton Community Orchard where a memorial bench is to be found. This area has been planted with heritage fruit trees by volunteers from the village and the Canal & River Trust. Several butterfly species can be seen and Brown Hairstreak eggs have been found in the past on the blackthorn at the eastern side of the orchard.

The path exits the orchard through a gate at the SE corner and rejoins the public right-of-way to cross under the railway line and over fields in an easterly direction to meet Netherwood Lane beside Netherwood Cottages. Cross straight over the lane and follow the direction of the finger post to enter the edge of Fillet Wood. The path here is rather indistinct but lies south of and runs parallel to the stream for 500m, until you cross over the stream and join the bridleway. Continue easterly climbing gently along the field boundary before turning NE until you reach Pope’s Wood (part of the Trench Wood reserve). Here you turn NW to follow the edge of the wood for 500m.

You now re-enter the wood and follow the track NNE for 150m to rejoin your outward route at an intersection. Retrace your route past the meadow clearing on your left and turn left immediately afterwards at the intersection. There are usually plenty of butterflies to see along this ride heading NNW, including the chance again of Purple Emperor and Purple Hairstreak above you. After about 200m, turn right down a narrower track for a similar distance which brings you out at the NW end of the car park.