COUNTRY

The Albrighton Woodland Hunt country lies between the River Severn and the urbanisation of Birmingham. It covers parts of Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands and runs 15 miles north to south and 25 miles east to west, with Birmingham, Stourbridge, Dudley and Halesowen all encroaching to the East.

We hunt an area, which spans from Bridgnorth down to the River Severn at Stourport and then Eastwards to Bromsgrove, North to Wombourne and West back through Claverly.

Our neighbouring hunts are the Albrighton Hunt to the North, the Wheatland Hunt to the West and the Worcestershire Hunt to the South with Birmingham lying to the East! 

The Hunt has a varied country, which is quite heavily stocked with sheep and cattle. Plenty of grass can still be found and maize is grown particularly in the south of the country along with sugar beet and potatoes. In many areas agriculture has given way to paddocks and livery yards.

 

We usually meet twice a week during the Hunting Season, specifically on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11.00am. During holiday periods, extra days hunting are arranged. The Hunt's country is divided into Saturday and Wednesday meets. This is to accommodate the larger mounted field on Saturdays, with the Wednesday meets in the "trappier" areas. When organising meets the Master has to consider local shooting interests as well as the agricultural needs of an area before choosing a venue. It is usual to meet in a given area once a month, as this does not overly pressurise any one location and helps to continue to maintain good working relationships with landowners and farmers, who are vital to the Hunt's access to countryside.


Hagley Hall, Hagley, Worcestershire . 

Trimpley and the Severn Valley

The country around Trimpley and the Severn Valley is heavily shot and some areas are only visited after the shooting season has finished. Trimpley has plenty of grass and is highly stocked with sheep. There are a few jumps for the riders and hedges can be found for the more adventurous!

Blakedown

The meets in this area are very popular. The field can enjoy many jumps with a variety of fences. The highlight of any day would be a spin around the cross country course at Bissell Wood Equestrian Centre. The field also have access to open fields of grass and stubble even until quite late into the season. The ground is very sandy and rides well even after heavy rain. 

Churchill

Churchill is a small and picturesque village in the heart of the Hunt's country. We hold our traditional Boxing Day in this area, starting from the ancestral seat of the Cobham family, Hagley Hall. It is very popular with the mounted field and foot followers alike. The area offers wonderful views of open countryside.

Churchill's hedges are famous amongst those riders and horses brave enough to take them on! If a line is taken across Common Barn the riders face a number of hedges and post and rail jumps over open grassland. This area is also sandy and rides well throughout the year.  

Wolverley and Cookley

The meets in and around the Wolverley and Cookley areas are usually held on Wednesdays. This country is often a little tight as much of it is shot. That said, the country can be crossed well over many solid timber fences which have been added in recent times. The meet at The Anchor Public House in Caunsall near Cookley is well known for its good food and hospitality.

Enville

The Albrighton Woodland Hunt has meets across this rich section of our country. However, the most popular is held at Enville Hall, which has Royal roots and dates back to the 16th Century.  

The family name was Grey, best known perhaps through Lady Jane Grey who was Queen of England for 10 years in 1553 before being beheaded by her successor Mary Tudor.

The country around Enville Estate can be divided into large woodland (Enville Common, is flanked by a forest of Scotch pines) and open ground and is, undoubtedly our best country. For those who have hunted this land, it is legendary!

For the majority of the hunting season, stubble fields can be found to cross. Some of this area is shot and not crossed until after the shooting season has finished. The days after the shooting season offer grass, tracks and woodland with few roads and plenty of fences. Parts of this area can ride deep. If we have a wet winter riders can find themselves on the tracks in one or two places.

The Hunt holds its traditional Opening Meet at Lawnswood House, near Stourbridge. This meet is well supported by riders as well as spectators. The Hunt has the privilege of access to the extensive parkland and a number of hedges greet the riders immediately from the meet.  

At the end of the season this area also plays host to our Closing Meet at Mill Farm. We attract high numbers of visitors to this meet from Hunts across the United Kingdom, not only for the fantastic hunting, but also the mouth watering Pork Pie, which is home-made at Mill Farm!  

Claverley and Bobbington

The Claverley and Bobbington areas are in the northern fringes of the Hunt's country. The area offers prime shooting and therefore, access is limited until the conclusion of the shooting season. This said there are plenty of tracks and grassland to cover but few fences for the field to jump. 

Clent

Just about 1,000 feet above sea level, there are fantastic views from Clent Hills to the west over the Worcestershire plain and Severn Valley, across to the hills of Shropshire and even the Welsh borders. Clent Hills are crossed from time to time. The area is a very popular place for walkers even in mid-winter. The foot followers particularly enjoy this part of our country. Despite the area's natural beauty, meets in this area can fall prey to low cloud and occasionally are lost to fog or thick mist. The hunting in this area provides the field with the opportunity to see hounds work. However, on the other hand offers an unchallenging ride with few jumps.  

Chaddesley Corbett

The New Year's Day meet is held at the Talbot Inn at Chaddesley Corbett and the village always offers a warm welcome and goodly turnout to support the Hunt. The Hunt has further sporting links to this area, as our Point-to-Point Races are held here, with subscribers, members, farmers and landowners of the Hunt participating in the days racing.

It is the most southerly area of the Albrighton Woodland Hunt's country, which is well stocked with sheep and cattle. Access is excellent owing to both the number of timber fences and hedges as well as the vast array of bridle paths.

The southern part of this country is fairly wooded and the ground here consists of clay and, therefore, rides very deep during the mid-winter months.