Call us: 01746 781 192 Email: outdoor.recreation@ shropshire.gov.uk

Nearest to

Alveley, Bridgnorth, Highley, Kidderminster

Opening times

Opening information for Severn Valley Country Park.

Visitor Centre and cafe opening from Monday 19th February 2024 are:

Mon: CLOSED

Tues: CLOSED

Wed: 11am-3pm

Thurs: 11am-3pm

Fri: 11am-3pm

Sat: 9.30am-3.30pm

Sun: 10.30am-3.30pm

Toilets will be open daily 10am-4pm.

 

For the Easter holidays, the visitor centre and cafe will be open every day between Mon 25th March 2024 and Sunday 7th April 2024. Mon to Fri 11am-4pm, Saturday 9.30am-4pm, Sunday 10.30am-4pm. Thank you.

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-Car park charging hours at Alveley and Highley are 10am-4pm daily. We do have an out-of-hours car park at Alveley, so it is possible to visit the park by car at any time. Car parking charges are £1.50 for 2 hours or £2.50 all day. Payment by cash, card (chip and pin or contactless), and MIPermit app.

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The project to invest in an extension to the visitor centre and improve facilities at Severn Valley Country Park was part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

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We hope you enjoyed the Trail at the Park, which was installed by the Unlocking the Severn project and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  

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Location and Parking

Please click here for details

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Activities and Events

at Severn Valley Country Park

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Nordic Walking

Our Nordic Walking group meets every Wednesday 10am-11am.

If you are interested in joining, please call 01746 781 192 for more details.

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Severn Valley Country parkrun

parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am

Visit the parkrun webpage

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Wed 21st Feb 2024, , Wed 28th Feb 2024, Wed 6th Mar 2024, Wed 13th Mar 2024 and Wed 20th Mar 2024

11am-12pm

Wild Toddlers

Fun term time sessions for children under 5

Join us to discover, play, connect and learn! Each week explore a new theme. Get hands-on with the outdoors or get crafty indoors (depending on the weather!).

£5 per session

Price includes a snack – toast and squash (or similar)

Please call 01746 781 192 to book and pay for your place in advance.

Suitable for ages 18 months-4 years (toddling toddlers).  Younger siblings are very welcome (no charge for under 18 months).  Activities may not be buggy friendly.

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Wednesday 27th March 2024

Easter Pond Dip

11am-12.30pm

£4 per child, accompanying adults free

Click here for more details

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Wednesday 3rd April 2024

Spring Scavenger Hunt

11am-12.30pm

£4 per child, accompanying adults free

Click here for more details

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Wed 24th April 2024, , Wed 1st May 2024, Wed 8th May 2024, Wed 15th May 2024 and Wed 22th May 2024

11am-12pm

Wild Toddlers

Fun term time sessions for children under 5

Join us to discover, play, connect and learn! Each week explore a new theme. Get hands-on with the outdoors or get crafty indoors (depending on the weather!).

£5.50 per session

Price includes a snack – toast and squash (or similar)

Please call 01746 781 192 to book and pay for your place in advance.

Suitable for ages 18 months-4 years (toddling toddlers).  Younger siblings are very welcome (no charge for under 18 months).  Activities may not be buggy friendly.

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Friday 26th April 2024

Chat About Books

11.30am-12.30pm

Looking for an informal get-together to talk about a book, magazine or article you have enjoyed?

Want to have a chat over a coffee in a relaxed and beautiful setting?

Just bring yourself and something you are happy to share and chat about!

Free to join

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Friday 3rd May 2024

Dawn Chorus

6.30am to 8.30am

£10 per person, price includes a breakfast bap and hot drink.

Click here for more details

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Saturday 11th May 2024

Creatures of the Night

7pm to 9pm

£6 Adult, £4.50 Child, Family ticket £18 (2 adults and up to 3 children)

Click here for more details

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Wednesday 29th May 2024

Bird Box Building

11am-12.30pm

£12 per child, accompanying adults free

Suitable for age 6 upwards

Click here for more details

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Friday 31st May  2024

Free drop in craft session

11am-12.30pm

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Wednesday 5 June, Wednesday 12 June, Wednesday 19 June, Wednesday 26 June and Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Wild Toddlers

Fun term time sessions for children under 5

Join us to discover, play, connect and learn! Each week explore a new theme. Get hands-on with the outdoors or get crafty indoors (depending on the weather!).

£5.50 per session

Price includes a snack – toast and squash (or similar)

Please call 01746 781 192 to book and pay for your place in advance.

Suitable for ages 18 months-4 years (toddling toddlers).  Younger siblings are very welcome (no charge for under 18 months).  Activities may not be buggy friendly.

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Friday 21st June 2024

Moth Morning

6.30am-8.30am

£10 per person (price includes a breakfast bap and hot drink)

Click here for more details

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Friday 26th July 2024

Free drop in craft session

Each Friday of the summer holidays, there'll be a different theme each week.

11am-12.30pm

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Monday 29th July 2024

Pond Dipping

£4.50 per child, accompanying adults free

Click here for more details

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Friday 2nd August 2024

Free drop in craft session

Each Friday of the summer holidays, there'll be a different theme each week.

11am-12.30pm

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Wednesday 7th August 2024

Marvellous Moths

11am-12.30pm

£4.50 per child, accompanying adults free

Click here for more details

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Friday 9th August 2024

Free drop in craft session

Each Friday of the summer holidays, there'll be a different theme each week.

11am-12.30pm

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Monday 12th August 2024

Mini Beast Hunt

11am-12.30pm

£4.50 per child, accompanying adults free

Click here for more details

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Friday 16th August 2024

Free drop in craft session

Each Friday of the summer holidays, there'll be a different theme each week.

11am-12.30pm

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Friday 16th August 2024

Rain or Shine Theatre presents

The Importance of Being Earnest

7pm

We'll let you know when tickets are on sale

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Monday 19th August 2024

Pond Dipping

11am-12.30pm

£4.50 per child, accompanying adults free

Click here for more details

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Friday 23rd August 2024

Free drop in craft session

Each Friday of the summer holidays, there'll be a different theme each week.

11am-12.30pm

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Wednesday 28th August 2024

Nettle String Making

11am-12.30pm

Child £4.50, accompanying adult free

Click here for more details

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Friday 30th August 2024

Free drop in craft session

Each Friday of the summer holidays, there'll be a different theme each week.

11am-12.30pm

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Wednesday 11 September, Wednesday 18 September, Wednesday 25 September, Wednesday 2nd October, Wednesday 9 October and Wednesday 16 October 2024

Wild Toddlers

Fun term time sessions for children under 5

Join us to discover, play, connect and learn! Each week explore a new theme. Get hands-on with the outdoors or get crafty indoors (depending on the weather!).

£5.50 per session

Price includes a snack – toast and squash (or similar)

Please call 01746 781 192 to book and pay for your place in advance.

Suitable for ages 18 months-4 years (toddling toddlers).  Younger siblings are very welcome (no charge for under 18 months).  Activities may not be buggy friendly.

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Wednesday 6 November, Wednesday 13 November, Wednesday 20 November and Wednesday 27 November 2024

Wild Toddlers

Fun term time sessions for children under 5

Join us to discover, play, connect and learn! Each week explore a new theme. Get hands-on with the outdoors or get crafty indoors (depending on the weather!).

£5.50 per session

Price includes a snack – toast and squash (or similar)

Please call 01746 781 192 to book and pay for your place in advance.

Suitable for ages 18 months-4 years (toddling toddlers).  Younger siblings are very welcome (no charge for under 18 months).  Activities may not be buggy friendly.

About

Opening information for Severn Valley Country Park.

Visitor Centre and cafe opening from Monday 19th February 2024 are:

Mon: CLOSED

Tues: CLOSED

Wed: 11am-3pm

Thurs: 11am-3pm

Fri: 11am-3pm

Sat: 9.30am-3.30pm

Sun: 10.30am-3.30pm

Toilets will be open daily 10am-4pm.

 

For the Easter holidays, the visitor centre and cafe will be open every day between Mon 25th March 2024 and Sunday 7th April 2024. Mon to Fri 11am-4pm, Saturday 9.30am-4pm, Sunday 10.30am-4pm. Thank you.

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Car park charging hours at Alveley and Highley are 10am-4pm daily.

Car parking charges are £1.50 for 2 hours or £2.50 all day.

Payment by cash, card (chip and pin or contactless), and MIPermit app. We do have an out-of-hours car park at Alveley, so it is possible to visit the park by car at any time.

When visiting the park we ask that you
DO NOT visit if you or a member of your household has symptoms of COVID-19.
DO NOT have BBQ’s as the increased fire risk could put the emergency services under unnecessary added pressure.

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Green Flag award-winning Severn Valley Country Park offers 126 acres of beautiful accessible countryside.

Ten good reasons to visit Severn Valley Country Park:

  1. 1. We provide regular activities for kids, led by one of our team, as well as a safe, fun play ground for the kids to let off steam.
  2. 2. You can explore the park on one of our self-led walks, cycle paths, or enjoy a horse ride on our surfaced paths and public bridleways.  Explore the wider Severn Valley on one of our guided walks.
  3. 3. We have a great environment for educational activities for kids.
  4. 4. Our purpose built Easy Access Nature Trail is designed especially for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
  5. 5. Soak up the wonderful views from the comfort of the visitor centre and enjoy a drink and a snack in the Severn Valley Country Park cafe.
  6.  6. We have lots of family picnic benches scattered throughout the park
  7. 7. Our spring-fed pond has a pond dipping platform that enables children to get close to the water’s edge in safety while enjoying the wonder of investigating the species that live there.
  8. 8.  A wonderful rural setting along one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Severn, that is easily accessible from Bridgnorth, Shropshire and Kidderminster, Worcestershire.
  9. 9. We are built around an old colliery site and have a fantastic industrial history to explore and a great mix of habitats from reclaimed land to semi-natural ancient woodland.
  10. 10. Ample car parking including spaces for motor cycles, coaches and Blue Badge Holders.

 

Severn Valley Country Park offers a great day out for all the family!

Check out these fabulous aerial views of the park!

AWARD WINNING

The Green Flag award winning Severn Valley Country Park is the perfect day out for all the family. Set in the peaceful, scenic valley of the River Severn, the park provides 126 acres of beautiful countryside and wonderful views which span both sides of the longest river in the country. The woodlands, ponds and meadows of the park around found in 2 separate sites located at Alveley and Highley. Visitors can explore way-marked walking routes and see rare wildlife that has been lost from the wider countryside. An action-packed events programme including guided walks, activities for kids, outdoor theatre and seasonal self-guided trails ensures there is always something exciting happening.

HISTORY OF SEVERN VALLEY COUNTRY PARK 

Now an oasis of peace and tranquillity, this part of the Severn Valley used to be a centre of industry. Sandstone quarried from the area was shaped in to grindstones as well as being used as building stone. For example, local sandstone was used to build part of Worcester Cathedral. Coal mining started in Highley in 1878. Production was switched to Alveley in 1936 and at this point, the Miners' Bridge across the river was built. At its peak the mine employed over 1000 men and produced over 300,000 tonnes of coal a year. Due to changes in demand, production shut down in 1969 and the spoil heaps and mine site lay derelict until 1986 when the project to create Severn Valley Country Park was instigated. The project saw the reclamation of land, installation of drainage ditches, re-grading of the spoil heaps and planting of trees leading to the official opening of the park in 1992.

To download a leaflet about the transformation from colliery to country park, click here. The leaflet was produced as part of the Severn Valley Lives in the Landscape project funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Shropshire Council and The Jean Jackson Charitable Trust.

WILDLIFE HABITATS

Severn Valley Country Park  is a great mix of valuable habitats. Hall Close Coppice is semi-natural ancient woodland that is alive with bird song and wildflowers each spring. It is managed by coppicing small areas of hazel and alder and allowing them to re-grow. Spring Pieces is a species-rich grassland. A summer walk through this area will reveal thousands of orchids and other plants including adder’s tongue fern and yellow rattle. An Easy Access Nature Trail takes in a freshwater pond and leads to a fully accessible bird hide overlooking a wetland and reedbed with the chance of seeing a good range of birds. Elfin Pool is a spring-fed pond that is a popular location for pond-dipping. The Riverside Meadows are a great place to see invertebrates including the rare club-tailed dragonfly. Visitors can also join the riverside footpaths and experience longer walking routes taking in the wonderful scenery.

Help us record our plant species. Click here for details.

The Severn Valley Railway goes through the middle of the park and the steam trains are a popular feature for visitors. Throughout the spring and summer months, thousands of school children visit the park and some groups choose to arrive in style on a steam train. It is also possible to combine a walk with a return ride on a steam train, alighting at the Country Park Halt. For more information about the railway, please click here.

Things to see and do

Severn Valley Country Park has a full range of facilities for visitors to enjoy. A map of the park can be downloaded here

  • Visitor centre and Kestrel cafe

The park boasts a fantastic visitor centre with plenty of information about the history and wildlife of the area. There is also a kids corner with activities for our younger visitors as well as an area which sells products made by our volunteers to help raise funds for projects around the park. Click to read about how our volunteers raised funds for a defibrillator to be installed outside the visitor centre.

In the cafe you can enjoy hot and cold drinks, snacks, ice cream, sausage rolls, ready made sandwiches and toasties.  At the weekend, bacon or sausage on large, soft bakery baps and homemade soup are also on the menu. Have a look at our current menu here.

  • Children's play areas and family play trail

The centre piece of our river themed play area is a Severn Trow, which can be mistaken for a pirate ship! After you have enjoyed exploring our ship, have a go on the swings, roundabout, balance beams, wobble boards and climbing frames. From the play area, you can 'follow the fish' and visit all play equipment and wooden sculptures on our family play trail.

The play area and family play trail were funded as part of the 'Unlocking the Severn' project which is opening up the river to allow wildlife freely move up and down it.

For a map and information about the family play trail, click here.

Don't forget to visit our natural play area which boasts a sandpit, basket swing and rope bridge too!

  • Request stop for the Severn Valley Railway

When travelling on this fabulous heritage railway line, if you ask the guard for the ‘Country Park Halt’ the train will make a stop at the park. It is possible to board a train here also. If you stand on the platform, with your arm outstretched an approaching train will stop at the platform. More details about the Severn Valley Railway can be found here.

  • Picnic areas

Picnic tables are located outside the visitor centre, near the children’s play area, adjacent to Country Park Halt and in the Riverside Meadows.

  • Easy Access Nature Trail

This trail is located through a gate situated in the out-of-hours car park. The trail has been recently improved to ensure the flat path is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The trail loops around a beautiful lily pad covered pond and leads to our wetlands.

  • Fully accessible bird hides

We have 2 bird hides at Severn Valley Country Park.

The Meadow bird hide over looks our wetlands. The reeds in the wetlands are cut annually to create the perfect conditions for wading birds such as water rail. Herons are regular visitors as well as moorhens, coots, kingfishers and mallards. Rare sightings include a bittern and an otter.

The Woodland bird hide is located close to the visitor centre. Bird feeders in both hides are regularly filled by our volunteers to help encourage frequent visits by local wildlife.

  • Permanent orienteering trail with 3 levels of difficulty

The course has been set up by Wrekin Orienteers and maps are available from the office in the visitor centre.

  • Toilets, including disabled facilities and a baby change units at Alveley and Highley

Open daily 10am-4pm all year round (except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day)

  • Car parking at Alveley and Highley

Charging hours are 10am-4pm. Charges are £1.50 for 2 hours, £2.50 for all day. Payment can be made by cash, chip and pin, contactless or the MIPermit app.

Walking, Cycling and Horse Riding at Severn Valley Country Park

  • Explore the site on one of our way-marked walking routes

The Woodland Trail is a 1-mile circular walk which passes through 3 distinctly different types of woodland. For a map and information, click here.

The Riverside Trail is a 2-mile trail which takes you along the unspoilt banks of the River Severn through traditional meadows and woodland both ancient and new. For a map and information, click here.

The History Trail is a 1.5-mile trail along which you will learn about the former history of the park. Find out about coal mining, sandstone quarrying and families who operated ferries across the river. For a map and information, click here.

The History Trail. History Trail leaflet, Woodland Trail leaflet and Riverside Trail leaflet were funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Shropshire Council and The Jean Jackson Charitable Trust as part of the Severn Valley Lives in the Landscape project.

The Highley Trail takes you outside the park boundaries to explore the local community of Highley. On this 3.5-mile walk you will discover the world of wild rivers, big views, fantastic wildlife and giant industry. (Follow the ‘Highley Trail’ way markers from the visitor centre). For a map and more information, click here.

A Country Park Geology Trail takes you on a 1.2-mile circular walk examining the geological highlights of the Severn Valley. The trail was devised by experts from the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark and uncovers the story of the park over the past 320 million years. The trail can be downloaded here.

  • Bring your bicycle

The Mercian Way (part of route 45 of the National Cycle Network) passes straight through the middle of the park. Running from Bewdley to Bridgnorth and beyond, the route covers rural lane and off road tracks to take visitors into a world of unspoilt riverside, woods and meadows. Riding through the park you have the unique opportunity to cycle in parallel to the vintage steam trains of the Severn Valley Railway. It is the perfect safe, family-friendly, traffic free environment. Click here for more information about the Mercian Way.

The Shropshire Cycleway East: Severn takes cyclists on a journey from Telford through Ironbridge, Bridgnorth, the country park and on towards Cleobury Mortimer. It takes you through the beautiful landscape of the Severn Valley and passes by the country park. The full Shropshire Cycleway route is a 185 mile route around Shropshire’s border. Click here for more information about the Shropshire Cycleway.

There is a bike rack located outside the visitor centre, to enable cyclists to enjoy a well deserved break in our cafe.

  • Horse Riding at Severn Valley Country Park

The Jack Mytton Way comprises of over 100 miles of rural bridleways and quiet country lanes. The trail passes near to the park at Highley and riders can divert from their trek to enjoy some time with us. Through the park there is a public bridleway and riders are invited to use our other surfaced paths. In 2013, a project undertaken by our volunteers to transform a section of the park into a wild flower meadow included the addition of a new bridleway from our car parking area.

Mounting blocks are located at either end of the Miners' Bridge for rider’s convenience and horses can be safely tethered in our yard whilst riders visit our cafe and centre. Please ask staff on site for more details.

More details about the Jack Mytton Way can be found here.

Getting there

By car: see above.

By bus: The Bridgnorth to Kidderminster 297 bus service passes through Alveley village which is easy walking distance to the park (approx. 10 mins). Click here for timetable

The Stourbridge to Bridgnorth 125 bus service passes through Highley village which is easy walking distance  to the park (approx. 15 mins). Click here for timetable

By bike: Follow Route 45 (Mercian Way) from Bridgnorth or Bewdley. Click here for map.

By train: Take the Severn Valley Railway and request the Country Park Halt. Click here for timetable.

By foot: Follow the Geopark Way or Severn Way from Bridgnorth or Bewdley. Click here for Geopark Way map.

By horse: Follow the Jack Mytton Way from Cleobury Mortimer to Chelmarsh. Click here for map.

Join in

VOLUNTEERING

Why not come and join us, learn new skills, make new friends and help improve countryside sites for people and wildlife? You can get involved with practical work including coppicing and woodland management, grassland management and wildlife monitoring plus many other activities.

We meet every Monday and Thursday between 9 am until 3 pm. Please bring a packed lunch and waterproofs (just in case!).

All ages and abilities are welcome. For more information and to register your interest, please telephone 01746 781192.

To download a leaflet about volunteering opportunities in South Shropshire, please click here.

This leaflet was produced as part of the Severn Valley Lives in the Landscape project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Shropshire Council and The Jean Jackson Charitable Trust.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Here at Severn Valley Country Park we’ve a variety of educational activities that make for a great morning, afternoon or whole day out.

All of the activities we provide are delivered by qualified rangers, and have valuable links with the national curriculum in the sciences, geography and history.

Click to find out more about the activities we offer:

Educational activities for kids - mini-beast hunts
Educational activities for kids - orienteering
Educational activities for kids - pond dipping
Educational activities for kids - river study
Educational activities for kids - scavenger hunt

Educational activities for kids - mining our history
Educational activities for kids - rock and fossil hunt

Our history and geology activities were created as part of the Severn Valley Lives in the Landscape Project which was funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Shropshire Council and The Jean Jackson Charitable Trust. 

We are happy to welcome school groups from Bridgnorth, Kidderminster, Highley, Alveley, and other towns in the West Midlands, Worcestershire and Shropshire.

To discuss a programme, please get in touch (the duration of activities can be flexible) by calling 01746 781 192.

Web links

 

Severn Valley Country Park Facebook Page

To keep up to date with the Severn Valley Country Park, sign up for our monthly e-mail newsletter by clicking here