Portway Hill

Portway Hill lies within the Rowley Hills near Rowley Regis in the West Midlands. It forms a nature reserve run by the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country. The reserve protects an expanse of grassland that was bought to safeguard the Rowley Hills landscape. Rare wild flowers grow here, among them bee orchid and hare’s-foot clover. The grassland also supports one of the few colonies of marbled white butterflies in the West Midlands. Kestrels and peregrine falcons hunt over the open slopes. Visitors can see outcrops of Rowley Rag, a hard volcanic rock once quarried on the hill. Paths cross the reserve, allowing close views of the wild flowers and butterflies. Birdwatchers come to spot the raptors hunting above the grassland. The volcanic rock exposures add a rugged contrast to the soft meadows. The site offers quiet walks and sweeping views over the surrounding countryside.