Clent Hills: Hidden gem Midlands walk with stunning views of Cotswolds, Shropshire Hills, Welsh borders - you can see why locals want to keep it a secret
I visited Clent Hills in Worcestershire to have a walk somewhere different and it is safe to say that it is a hidden gem.
Clent Hills is often called a hidden gem because it delivers dramatic natural beauty, history, and escape-from-the-city vibes right on the doorstep of the industrial Midlands. It also flies under the radar compared to more famous UK spots like the Lake District, Cotswolds or Malvern Hills.
However, there are many reasons why to visit and the first being the insane views you get. From the top of Clent Hill (1,014 ft) or Walton Hill (1,037 ft), on a clear day you can see across the Cotswolds, Shropshire Hills, Welsh borders, and even the Black Mountains in Wales - sometimes 13 counties in total.
It’s the kind of 360° panorama people travel hours for, but you’re only 10–15 miles southwest of central Birmingham. It’s literally surrounded by Birmingham, Stourbridge, Halesowen and Bromsgrove. That contrast is what makes it feel secret - city dwellers escape here without ever leaving the region.
It gets almost a million visitors a year as it is Worcestershire’s most popular free attraction but the National Trust area being spread across 440 acres and multiple hills makes it rarely feels packed. Head to quieter Walton Hill instead of the main Clent Hill summit and you’ll often have the place practically to yourself and it is perfect for wildlife spotting.
The famous Four Stones are located at the top and look like an ancient stone circle. But they are actually an 18th-century fake “druid” folly built by Lord Lyttelton of nearby Hagley Hall for the view from his mansion.
Clent Hills is also very accessible with a National Trust car park (pay or free for members), a nice independent café with legendary bacon butties, and easy-access trails. You can do a 20-minute stroll or a four to five-mile loop. Free parking at Walton Hill if the main one is full.
It’s well-loved locally but doesn’t get the national and international hype of bigger destinations, so it keeps that undiscovered feel. It’s the perfect place to visit and especially this time of year, for a crisp, cold and fresh walk.