Severn Way

The Severn Way at Weir Green, Gloucestershire

The Severn Way is a waymarked long-distance footpath which follows the course of the River Severn through five counties for 210 miles.

The route starts at the source of the Severn, high on the slopes of Plynlimon, in Montgomeryshire, and follows it down all the way to Bristol.

The route

The start of the Severn Way path

The source of the River Severn is high on Plynlimon, in Cambrian Mountains and the infant river enters a woodland known as the Hafren Forest, named from the Welsh name of the river. The Severn Way begins at the mountainside source and follows the stream down through the forest.

The path and river come to Llanidloes, then Newtown, Montgomeryshire, and on to Welshpool. The path then follows the towpath of the Montgomeryshire Canal, entering Shropshire and passing through Shrewsbury, Shropshire and into the Severn Gorge.

The Way passes the cradle of the Industrial Revolution at Ironbridge before passing below Bridgnorth, Hampton Loade and Highley (in Shropshire), and passing through the south-easternmost finger of Staffordshire at Upper Arley

Upper Arley, Staffordshire

Soon, the river enters Worcestershire at Bewdley, carrying on thence to reach Stourport-on-Severn and the City of Worcester. Below Worcester, the Severn continues southwards, to Upton-upon-Severn, pursued by the Severn Way.

The river enters Gloucestershire at Tewkesbury.

The route follows the river through Gloucestershire and passes through Gloucester itself before passing Berkeley Castle and following the Severn Estuary.

Originally, the path finished at Severn Beach, but it has recently been extended to Bristol by way of Lawrence Weston, Shirehampton and through the Avon Gorge.

Connecting trails

Severn Way at Oldbury-on-Severn

The Way links with the Gloucestershire Way, Wye Valley Walk, Worcestershire Way, Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Walk, Worcester & Birmingham Canal Walk, Three Choirs Way and Telford and Wrekin Walks, and Shakespeare's Avon Way.

See also

• River Severn
  • Crossings of the River Severn
• Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom

Outside links

• Pictures of The Severn Way and the area on Geograph.co.uk
• Severn Way at the Long Distance Walkers Association