Two new routes for National Walking Month
It’s well known that exercise is good for our physical and mental health, but the benefits are even greater when it takes place in nature. We’ve got a lot of that in the Heart of England Forest, and we love to show it off, so to celebrate National Walking Month in May, we’ve created two beautiful new walking routes with plenty of interest.
Why walking in nature matters
Did you know that regular walking can help reduce the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, and is linked to a lower risk of some cancer? *
There’s also growing evidence that time in nature boosts our mood, helps us cope with stress, and can fend off depression and anxiety.
Put the two together, it's called green exercise, and you magnify the benefits.
Being out in the woods engages all the senses in a way that just doesn’t happen in the gym: their beauty is uplifting, and the air is certainly a lot fresher. Catching sight of wildlife also gives an extra rush of dopamine, which boosts happiness.
Quite simply, when you’re getting out in the country, you feel more alive.
Start where you’re comfortable
It’s important not to go too far, too fast, though. Check with your doctor if you’re not sure about your fitness. If you’re new to walking, start by trying out the short, signposted trails on our website.
Two routes for May
For National Walking Month, our new Trails and Access Officer, Simon Pipe, has devised two slightly longer new routes, with plenty to sustain interest. The Heart of England Forest exists in a wider landscape, and Simon’s trails take in attractive paths and historic features nearby.
Both walks use permissive paths that have been established in the welcoming spirit of our founder, Felix Dennis, who wanted people to enjoy the woodlands we are creating.
A Forest Heritage Trail (5 miles)
Our heritage route from Gidding’s Wood car park covers some of the same ground as our popular Founder’s Walk around Dorsington, but heads further south on less-frequented paths, half in Worcestershire, half in Warwickshire.
Chris Graham, a Friend of the Forest, walks here regularly with his Australian shepherd dog, Finn. It’s Chris’s favourite part of the Forest:
“I like it quiet, and I rarely see anyone else. At this time of year, you’re seeing the trees come into leaf – I love it.”
The route also passes Ralph’s Wood, the very first part of the Forest to be planted 30 years ago in 1996 by local conservationist Ralph Potter. You’ll also bump into Felix, or at least, his statue, before enjoying the discreet charm of Dorsington village.
An Arrow Meander (6 miles)
Rather wonderfully, there’s an Arrow through the Heart of England Forest: the River Arrow ripples past our young woodlands between Studley and Alcester, and this six-mile walk shows off the best of it.
The Arrow Meander links the churches at Studley and Spernal with historic Coughton Court, home of the Throckmorton family for 600 years. On opening days (Wednesday to Sunday) you can even pop in for tea or an ice cream.
Help to find your way
These two walks are not waymarked on the ground, except where they coincide with our permanent routes.
Looking ahead - The Forest Marathon
The further you walk, the more you see, and our friends at the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) will help you do that if you sign up for their fundraising Forest Marathon. They’re famed for the snacks at checkpoints.
The event was staged several times before the Covid pandemic. The LDWA Heart of England group is now bringing it back on a new route designed to show off our woodlands between Henley-in-Arden and Studley. It includes sections of the Forest that aren’t usually open to the public, with some superb views.
It takes in young and mature woodlands at Shelfield, Windmill Hill, Coughton Park, Sambourne, College Wood, Morgrove Coppice and Bannam’s Wood. It also crosses land where we’ll be planting trees in the next few years.
It takes place on Saturday 26th September 2026, and it’s open to both runners and walkers. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got a friend who’s up for the challenge: people are usually happy to buddy up.
The entry fee covers the cost of staging the event, and any money left over will be donated to the Heart of England Forest.
Walks and Trails in the Forest
We already have eight trails that enable visitors to explore the Forest, ranging from 1.5-mile strolls to the four-mile Founder’s Walk. They are well signposted with orange markers. We also have a network of permissive paths, and we look after more than 60 miles of public rights of way.
This means you can link trails together and create your own favourite walks. Find out more about our woodland walks.
