A railway themed circular road cycling route navigating through rural Worcestershire and briefly visiting the counties of south Staffordshire and east Shropshire. We visit the former railway station and now excellent cafe at Wombourne and pass through the riverside town of Bewdley, home to the Severn Valley Railway, spa town of Droitwich and riverside village of Upper Arley with it’s meticulously maintained station.
We start from the cathedral and riverside city of Worcester, home to some fantastic cafes before heading north to the village of Fernhill Heath and into the spa town of Droitwich. Continuing along quiet roads we pass through the villages of Elmley Lovett and Shenstone to Harvington, home of the medieval and Elizabethan moated manor house of Harvington Hall.
We take a busier road from here to Stourbridge, briefly cycling through part of the town and turning off to the villages of Stourton and Swindon where we reach the large village of Wombourne in Staffordshire.
It’s here we find the fantastic and extremely popular Railway Cafe, located on the disused Wolverhampton and Kingswinford railway line nearby to Bratch Locks. At the former station house there’s plenty of seating on the platform, secure bike racking and always plenty of cyclists to natter to over a slice of cake or breakfast bap.
Once refuelled we saddle up and head through the scenic and well kept villages of Trysull and Upper Aston before a hilly climb and steep descent into Upper Arley. It’s here we cross a cycle and pedestrian only bridge over the River Severn where at the other side we pass over Arley station, part of the Severn Valley Railway and an extremely well kept station – keep an eye out for the steam train!
It’s full steam ahead into the Shropshire village of Button Oak before continuing south along the B4199 to Bewdley, a pretty Georgian town sitting on the River Severn again also with plenty of railway heritage. If looking for coffee and cake here be sure to stop by Piccolos in the busy town centre, their fruit scones are devine!
Continuing to follow the river we pass through Dunley and towards the village of Great Witley, famed for it’s ruined Italianate manor and also the most excellent tearoom. If looking for a hilly challenge nearby, we recommend a short diversion up the steep climb at Wynniates Way on Abberley Hill – see our route here for more information.
The final leg of our route sees us head to Martley and Berrow Green where again if you’re looking for a hilly ascent do encompass Ankerdine Hill (see our route here), before turning east through Upper Broadheath and nearby to Elgar’s birthplace before arriving back into the city of Worcester.
It’s time for a well earned cake! Luckily Worcester is home to some fantastic cafes, just a few include:
- Method Coffee for superb coffee and cake
- Francini Cafe de Columbia for authentic Colombian coffee, breakfast, lunch and sweet delights
- Be the Change for fab vegan friendly savoury bites and cake
- Commandery Coffee beside the Worcester to Birmingham canal with superb homemade cakes and bites
- Guilt Trip Donuts where yep you’ve guessed it, hipster doughnuts and great coffee is served
- GoodRoots nearby to Diglis Basin and cathedral, serving up tasty savoury bites and cakes.
For further cafe stop recommendations along or nearby to the route, see below