Bills Hill

The woodland around Bills Hill isn't one of those manicured forest parks you find near motorways. It's proper old-growth terrain just outside Worcester, the sort of place where you actually feel like you've left the city behind rather than just walked ten minutes down a tree-lined path.

You're looking at a decent walk through mixed woodland with some genuine elevation gain. The paths wind through beech and oak, and depending on the season you'll either be trudging through ankle-deep leaves or negotiating muddy stretches that'll test your boot grip. There's a decent viewpoint once you've done the climb, which isn't dramatic but rewards the effort.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a circular family stroll with waymarked zones and benches every hundred metres - you need proper footwear and reasonable fitness. Kids who like exploring will be entertained for an hour or two, but there's nothing specifically laid on for them.

The real draw is that it feels like actual woodland rather than an attraction. No admission fee as far as I can tell, no café, no visitor centre. You'll need to allow a couple of hours minimum, depending on how far you venture. Best tackled in late spring or autumn when the paths aren't waterlogged and visibility is decent.

If you're based at Ketch Caravan Park nearby, it's an easy drive and worth doing as part of a broader walk around Worcester's greenbelt. It won't be on any must-see list, but that's partly what makes it worthwhile.