Whitlocks End to Shirley Railway Stations, Rail Trails
Departure from Tidbury Green (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This trail is a short walk between the stations of Shirley and Whitlock’s End, passing by Dicken’s Heath. The route takes you through farmland, a Christmas Tree plantation and crosses the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.
Shirley to The Lakes Railway Station, Rail Trails
Departure from Metropolitan Borough of Solihull (West Midlands Combined Authority)
On this trail from Shirley you’ll follow the tranquil towpath of the Stratford- upon-Avon Canal, cross Christmas tree plantations, farmland and forests, and skirt Dickens Heath before reaching Earlswood Lakes.
Wythall to Shirley Railway Stations, Rail Trails
Departure from Wythall CP (Worcestershire)
This trail is a linear walk between the stations of Wythall and Shirley. A wander through the pasture and meadows around the outer Shirley suburbs of Major’s Green and Hollywood (once a wood with some holly in it – no connection with Los Angeles!). Eyes peeled for the Iron Age hillfort!
If spending a little time in Wythall, check out the extensive collections of buses and battery electric vehicles at the Transport Museum or explore the 37 acres of Wythall Park. On the trail you’ll pass the Berry Mound Iron Age Hill Fort and nearby Berry Mound Pastures, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Clowes Wood and Terry's Pool from Wythall Station
Departure from Wythall CP (Worcestershire)
A walk starting and returning to Wythall Station, with opportunities to explore further. Fifty species of birds breed here in the woods. Wildflowers to be seen include bluebell, lily of the valley, cow-wheat, and bilberry. The Earlswood Lakes were constructed in the 1820s to provide water to the Stratford upon Avon canal. The labour force included prisoners of war from the Napoleonic wars.
Earlswood Lakes, Terry's Pool and Clowes Wood
Departure from Tidbury Green (West Midlands Combined Authority)
Easy to moderate loop along the lakes and into the woods, ideal for wildlife and train spotting. An alternative and easier route is available avoiding the woodland part.
Earlswood to Wythall Railway Station, Rail Trails
Departure from Tidbury Green (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This short linear trail passes through Kidpile Farm and Fulford Heath, crosses the River Cole and skirts the James Braid designed Fulford Golf Course into Wythall.
The Lakes to Earlswood Railway Station, Rail Trails
Departure from Stratford-on-Avon (Warwickshire)
This is a scenically varied walk between The Lakes and Earlswood railway stations. You’ll take in all three reservoirs making up Earlswood Lakes - and pass through Clowes Wood & New Fallings Coppice.
Widney Manor to Dorridge Railway Station, Rail Trails
Departure from Metropolitan Borough of Solihull (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This trail takes you through areas of Solihull’s suburbia and countryside, crossing the M42. Along this trail you’ll also cross the River Blythe, one of the richest rivers in lowland England and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Solihull Railway Station to Malvern and Brueton Park, Rail Trails
Departure from Metropolitan Borough of Solihull (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This trail takes you through Solihull town centre with lovely views of St. Alphege Church, through two beautiful parks and along a stretch of the River Blythe. Keep an eye out for the 15th century Manor House on the high street, the Joseph Boehm statue in Malvern Park, and the blue tits, woodpeckers, long-tailed tits and nuthatches at Parkridge Nature Reserve.
Wood End Railway Station, Rail Trails
Departure from Stratford-on-Avon (Warwickshire)
This circular route from Wood End station takes you through some beautiful Warwickshire countryside and the picture perfect village of Tanworth-in-Arden.
⚠️ The railway crossing part is apparently completely blocked off currently 'for safety reasons', please read the reviews and if you have done the walk please let us know how it went to help the author.
Hockley Heath to Meriden, Millenium Way
Departure from Hockley Heath (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This is the 6th section of the Millenium Way 100 miles from Hockley Heath to Meriden. This is the traditional centre of England and is also the centre of our long distance trail.
Hockley Heath and Packwood, Millenium Way
Departure from Hockley Heath (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This circular walk passes two interesting landmarks, namely Packwood House and St. Giles Church which are both worthy of a visit. There are no difficult sections on this walk although there is a muddy waterlogged bit when reaching Pratt's Pit area. This is the walk 5 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.
Olton to Shirley Railway Stations, Rail Trails
Departure from Metropolitan Borough of Solihull (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This trail from Olton follows the towpath along the Grand Union Canal to Tyseley, before turning on to the River Cole and taking you through the four mile long Shire Country Park – Tolkein country – and on into Shirley. You can detour at a couple of points to finish at Hall Green or Yardley Wood stations. As you leave Olton station you’ll see the Saxon King on Horse stainless steel sculpture.
Dorridge to Lapworth Railway Stations, Rail Trails
Departure from Metropolitan Borough of Solihull (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This trail takes you between Dorridge and Lapworth railway stations via the Grand Union Canal towpath. An alternative finish allows you to extend the walk along the Stratford upon Avon Canal too.
Danzey Railway Station, Rail Trails
Departure from Stratford-on-Avon (Warwickshire)
This circular walk will take you through farmland and around the privately owned Mockley Wood, one of the larger woodlands in this part of Warwickshire. In the springtime, be sure to peer into the wood and see the unending, sweet smelling carpet of bluebells. Keep your eyes peeled for the rather incongruous rusting truck hidden in the undergrowth on the return leg - a local landmark!
Packwood, Millenium Way
Departure from Lapworth (Warwickshire)
This delightful circular walk starts from Packwood House, a well-known National Trust property. The walk will give you a flavour of The Millennium Way taking you across mostly flat countryside. This is walk 6 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.
Heronfield / Temple Balsall, Millenium Way
Departure from Chadwick End (West Midlands Combined Authority)
During the early part of the walk you will follow a short section of the Millennium Way along the Grand Union Canal and, after walking some delightful open, flat countryside, will rejoin it at Temple Balsall. Here you may wish to take a short detour to visit the church of St Mary at Temple Balsall which has connections with the Knights Templar. This is walk 32 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.
From Lapworth and Kingswood, Millenium Way
Departure from Lapworth (Warwickshire)
This circular walk starts at The Boot Inn Lapworth on the B4439 south east of Hockley Heath. Initially the route follows the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, leaving this at Drawbridge Farm to follow a delightful section of the Millennium Way. This is walk 35 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.
Lapworth Railway Station, Rail Trails
Departure from Lapworth (Warwickshire)
This circular route incorporates the National Trust’s Packwood House, three pubs and a flight of locks as well as taking you through some of the prettiest countryside between Warwick and Solihull.
Marston Green to Elmdon Railway Station, Rail Trails
Departure from Bickenhill and Marston Green (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This circular trail from Marston Green Station takes you through two country parks, past the airport runway, through woodland, open parkland and lakes. Discover a different side of surburban life, with a trail packed with plane spotting, heritage and a surprising amount of green space!
Birmingham canals
Departure from Birmingham (West Midlands Combined Authority)
A circular walk along Birmingham canals, between old and new buildings. Ideal walk to photograph some unusual places and buildings.
Brindley Place & the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham
Departure from Birmingham (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This walk in Birmingham takes you through some modern redevelopment that is based around Birmingham's heritage before continuing to visit an area that has much heritage on offer but is still in use for its original purpose. The latter area is the Jewellery Quarter which even today is a fascinating place to explore.
Aston Junction & Millennium Point, Birmingham
Departure from Birmingham (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This walk explores the Industrial and canal heritage in Britain's second city, Birmingham. In addition the route includes some of the modern additions to Birmingham's history including the Bull Ring Shopping Centre.
Gas Street Basin & The Bull Ring, Birmingham
Departure from Birmingham (West Midlands Combined Authority)
This stroll explores the modern face of the City of Birmingham with a peep into its past. The start is outside the Council House in Victoria Square.
Farmer's Bridge Locks & Centenary Sq, Birmingham
Departure from Birmingham (West Midlands Combined Authority)
A look at the industrial heritage of the City of Birmingham. This city walk explores the northwestern sector of central Birmingham.
West from Henley-in-Arden, Millenium Way
Departure from Henley-in-Arden (Warwickshire)
This delightful walk starts from the 15th-century church of St John the Baptist, situated on the corner of the High Street and Beaudesert Lane in Henley-in-Arden. This is walk 18 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.
East from Henley-in-Arden, Millenium Way
Departure from Henley-in-Arden (Warwickshire)
This circular starts from the 15th Century church of St John the Baptist in the centre of the lovely town of Henley in Arden. It has a couple of short steep climbs with resulting fine views. This is walk 17 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.
More walks in Dickens Heath
Discover also walks in surrounding cities:
- Coughton
- Curdworth CP
- Metropolitan Borough of Solihull
- Feckenham
- Fordbridge
- Frankley CP
- Great Alne
- Great Packington CP
- Hampton in Arden
- Henley-in-Arden
- Hockley Heath
- Kingshurst
- Langley CP
- Lapworth
- Lea Marston CP
- Lickey and Blackwell CP
- Little Packington CP
- Mappleborough Green CP
- Maxstoke CP
- Morton Bagot CP
- Nether Whitacre CP