Stimulating Things to Do
Lido
There is heated outdoor swimming available at Highley Lido (9km distant from the cottage), together with other leisure facilities.
Golf
There are numerous golf clubs around the Wyre Forest including several championship standard courses with extensive facilities. The nearest, Cleobury Golf Club, 2 ml west through the forest but 5ml (8km) by road, has 27 holes in idyllic scenery, well stocked golf shop, club house, and dining facilities for up to 100 people. Wharton Park Golf Club on the east side of the forest, 2.6 miles distant (5ml, 8.5km by road), has a Par71, 18 hole championship course to USGA standard, with panoramic views over the Worcestershire countryside, all weather driving ranges, golf academy and conference centre and choice of cafe or restaurant. The more informal Little Lakes Golf Club, 3.1 miles distant (5ml, 8.5km by road), has 18 holes set in 250 acres of delightful mature landscape, a golf shop, heated swimming pool and inexpensive cafe.
Further afield there are golf courses at Highley (9km), Habberley (11km), Stourport (14km club named 'Wyre Forest') , Kidderminster (17km),
Long Distance Footpaths
The 174km (109ml) Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark Way is a geology themed long distance footpath running from Gloucester to Bridgnorth. It passes through Manor Holding's grounds, linking it with numerous other long distance footpaths and a dense network of shorter traffic free trails within the Wyre Forest.
Running
There are regular running races within the forest.eg. The Wyre Forest Trail Race 30th June 2024, organised by local running club, "Amazing Feet". Or Pulse Events' Wyre Wizard Forest Trail Half Marathon & Super Seven, on 21st April and 20th October 2024; and Summer Dirt Run on 26th June and 24th July 2024.
Bridleway Network
A broad forest bridleway connects with the cottage drive linking it with an extensive network of bridleways within the forest, including the 325km (203ml) Sabrina Way, which links to several other long distance bridleways. Several nearby livery stables can supply horses and tack on request.
Cycle trail Network
A comprehensive network of broad cycle paths and more challenging off-road routes laces through the forest, including an off road section of Sustrans' National Cycle Route 45, the Mercian Way. The Mercian Way currently connects Stourport, Kidderminster, Bewdley, Arley, Highley, and Bridgnorth. It now extends from Salisbury to Chester (Via Stonehenge)
GoApe
GoApe's chain of assault course style tree top trails, has been established in the Wyre Forest close to the southern margins for several years, and provides reasonably safe adventurous play for agile adults, young at heart. It can take several hours to complete the course. An adjacent cafe at the Forestry Commission's Forestry Centre provides sustenance.
Stottesdon Adventure Centre
The nearby Old Vicarage Adventure Centre at Stottesdon 7.6km (5ml) distant, provides a diverse range of organised adventurous play and team building for all ages, including group expeditions to a wide variety of even wilder parts of the globe.
Wildlife Photography
A huge range of wildlife, and not so wild life, on your doorstep is just waiting for your camera, but you may have to get up early to catch the more elusive creatures and best lighting conditions.
Plant Hunting
There is an unusual concentration of rare species within the Wyre Forest Area, including plants, animals and some in neither of these kingdoms. Particularly in the very extensive area classified as Site of Special Scientific Interest, which includes Manor Holding's two orchards. Foraging for the diverse wild food within the grounds can be particularly rewarding. But take care to identify food plants accurately as several of the more tasty looking species are in fact very poisonous. A variety of culinary herbs and fruits are grown in the garden and orchards. Guests are welcome to help themselves to such food as is in season, but please leave the actual plants for others to enjoy.
Natural History Studies
Frequent classes and field trips open to the public are held within the forest, many based on the Forestry Commission's field study and education centre at Callow Hill. To book facilities at this Forestry Centre, including the "Sensory" sculpture trail, please ring the Forestry Commission on Tel: 44(0) 1299 266 929.
Safari Park
If you prefer the thrill of more exotic wild animals, then the West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley may be ideal. After inspecting the numerous animals in field and menagerie, you can finish off the day in the theme park funfair.
Countryside Crafts
Occasional one day taster workshops in various countryside crafts are taught in their appropriate seasons at Uncllys Farm, Bewdley on the eastern edge of the forest.
Vineyards
The two closest commercial vineyards, selling excellent wine, are at Halfpenny Green 17km (10ml) and Astley 13km (8ml) distant, north and south of the forest respectively.
Breweries
There are a variety of excellent breweries in the district including: the acclaimed Hobsons at Cleobury (6ml), Bewdley Brewery (7ml), Ludlow Brewery, The Cat at Enville, etc.
Olympics
The annual Wenlock Olympic Games (forerunner of the better known International Olympic Games) will be held in July as usual at Much Wenlock 25km (16ml) distant. Entry to compete is open to the public for many of the events, see the Wenlock Olympian Society web site for details.
Rowing
The River Severn at Bewdley is one of the better natural river rowing reaches in the country. The Bewdley Rowing Club is very active and welcomes visiting rowers. They hold regular race meetings.
Shooting
Shooting is not permitted within the grounds of Manor Holding, so many pheasants prefer our side of the hedge to that of the neighbouring Winswood Shoot, a short walk of a few hundred yards up the Geopark Way from Manor Holding.
Motor Race Hill Climb
Nearby, 14km (9ml), distant Shelsley Walsh is the world's oldest motor racing circuit still in regular use, famous for the "Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb".
Motocross
Occasional motocross race meets are held even nearer to hand at Mawley Oak on the south western edge of the forest, 2.6km (1.6ml) distant.
Ballooning
To get a better overview of the forest you may like to hire a balloon for the day. There are balloon launching fields scattered around the district with one of the closer ones at Shelsley Walsh, 14km (9ml) distant.
Flying
A micro-lite flying school is based at Halfpenny Green 17km (10ml) distant.