Rock: Forest, Wide Views and History

Rock is shaped by Wyre Forest, wide views and historic traces. The parish combines areas of woodland with open landscape views; it is also home to a fortified site, a parish church and a long-standing cherry-growing tradition. This offers a range of themes to consider when planning your trip.

Woodland, Trails and Views

A large part of Wyre Forest lies within the Parish of Rock. It also includes parts of the forest designated as National Nature Reserves. There are wide views from many parts of the parish. In reasonably clear weather, the valley of the River Teme can be seen from Rock at closer range. The River Teme is a tributary of the River Severn. The Clee Hills, which rise to almost 1,800 feet, are also visible from most parts of the parish. The views differ: the Teme Valley can be seen nearby, while the Clee Hills are visible from most parts of the parish.

Visitor Centre at Longbank

The Forestry Commission visitor centre is within the Parish of Rock, on the A456 at Longbank.

Walking Trails in Wyre Forest

Wyre Forest has three signposted walking trails. They range from gentle strolls to more challenging hikes. This variety gives you a clear way to compare the types of routes if you are considering making the forest a focus of your stay.

Historic Places and Landscape Traces

The fortified site at Rock Farm is designated as a Scheduled Monument. Its remains include a fortified enclosure, an abandoned medieval village and associated earthworks. The site lies on the flat summit of a low hill in gently undulating farmland. Its rectangular moat measures 114 m from north to south and 110 m from east to west. The associated ditch is an average of 18 m wide and 3 m deep. The moat’s two side measurements are close to one another, giving it an almost square shape.

Another historic feature is Rock parish church, the largest 12th-century parish church in Worcestershire. Together with the remains of the fortified enclosure and medieval village, it gives Rock a clear historical identity: the Rock Farm site preserves traces of an abandoned village, while the church is a 12th-century parish church.

Local Character and Travel Planning

The name of the property The Ford comes from the fords across Dowles Brook and its tributaries, which lie within the 17-acre smallholding. The property includes woodland, orchards and land that was used as sheep pasture until recently. Watercourses, woodland and orchards are therefore all part of this specific property description, as is the former use of some land as sheep pasture.

Parts of the Parish of Rock have long been known as a source of high-quality cherries. This connection adds a local cherry-growing theme to the nature and history on offer. When looking for a hotel for your stay in Rock, you can choose the focus of your trip: woodland and walking trails, the wide views, or historic traces and the cherry-growing tradition.

Discover more destinations: Shrawley, Ribbesford, Hopwood, Stourport, Bewdley, Upton upon Severn, Hadley, Kempsey.

For the overview of the wider region: Worcestershire.