Our Hikes in 2018, with the most recent at the top

Lapworth - Obelisk - Hockley Heath circuit

Umberslade Obelisk, 22 Dec 18
Umberslade Obelisk, 22 Dec 18

A gentle 4 1/2 mile walk along footpaths and the towpath of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, this circuit includes a visit to the Umberslade Obelisk erected in 1749 for the first Lord Archer. You've seen it many times from the M40; now's the chance to get up close and personal!

Read More

A Hike from Meriden led by Mary Coles

This hike starts from the Queen's Head at Meriden, CV7 7JP, at 9.00 am. It is approximately 10 miles long. Cars may be parked in the car park next to the pub car park.

 

The walk is on a mixture of country lanes and footpaths.

Read More

A Hike from Knowle led by Bob Reid

A walk to be led by Bob Reid from Knowle at 9.00 am.

 

The walk will commence from Knowle Parish Church, B93 0LN, and will be approx. 8.5 miles long.  There is limited street parking by the Church, otherwise there is a municipal car park just behind the church which is FOC on Sundays. This car park is accessed by turning off the High St. by The Greswolde Arms hotel and driving behind the hotel to the car park on the left, DO NOT go into the Greswolde car park on the corner.To walk from the car park leave by exit at the far left hand corner leading through the church yard. The walk is a mixture of country lanes, field footpaths and canal towpath and will pass through the historic villages of Barston and Temple Balsall.

Read More

A Hike led by Gill Shalley

This walk, led by Gill Shalley, will be from Hampton in Arden. Meet at "The Beeches" at 10.00 am. and enjoy a mystery tour in the Hampton area

A Hike from Lowsonford led by Bob Reid

This hike will start from the Fleur-de-Lys pub at Lowsonford, B95 5HJ, at 9.00 am. Car parking is available in the pub car park.

 

This walk is approximately 7.5 miles long and consists of a mixture of field paths, minor roads and a canal towpath, with no steep gradients.

Read More

A Hike from Kenilworth led by Bob Reid

This walk will start from the Abbey Fields car park in Kenilworth, CV8 1BP, at 9.00 am., parking is free on Sundays.

 

The walk is approximately 8 miles long and is mainly across farmland. After crossing Abbey Fields to the castle car park it follows Centenary Way south to Goodrest Farm where it changes to a bridleway in a south westerly direction. At a bridleway cross roads turn right towards Bullock Farm where it turns right again to follow Inchford Brook to Rouncil Lane. After a short distance along Rouncil Lane, back to a footpath across fields to the castle car park and across Abbey Fields to the car park and a well earned drink in The Virgin and Castle.

Read More

A Hike led by Gill Shalley from Hampton

This hike was led by Gill Shalley from the Hampton Gym at 10.00 am. It routed through Barston to the West Midlands golf course and back to Hampton.

A Hike led by Sharron Maguire

This hike, led by Sharron Maguire, will be from the New Inn at Norton Lindsey, CV35 8JA, starting at 9 am. Car parking in the pub car park. The walk will be 8 to 10 miles long but the route is a mystery to all but Sharron.

A Hike from Hartshill led by Angus & Tracey

This walk will start from The Malt Shovel, 39, Grange Rd., Hartshill, CV10-0SS. at 9.00 am. and is approximately 9.5 miles.

 

Parking: Please avoid parking in the pub car park which is quite small; limited street parking is available in Grange Road; there is also a lay-by a little way along the road (after passing the pub) next to a small park on the left.

 

The walk is a varied mix of disused quarries, pretty countryside, urban streets, canal towpaths, a golf course and a country park with a woodland walk finishing off at a recently rebuilt pub (after a fire that gutted the place) with 4 hand-pulled ales and a great selection of well-priced food and very generous portion sizes.

Read More

A Hike on Cannock Chase

This hike was led by Sarah Meharg from Marquis Drive visitors’ centre, WS12 4PW. Parking: cost £2 till 6pm. Distance: 10.6 miles. Landscape: forest, lakes, streams and a couple of hills.

 

Take in the stunning scenery of Cannock Chase as we follow a figure of 8 route, meaning if anyone wants to do a 5mile route then this will be possible.

We go from the visitor centre to Fair Oak Pools and crossing stepping stones we head back to the woodland, home of Cannock deer, to a disused mine. We then head over a railway line bridge, cross a main road and are in the beautiful forest (watch out for the odd mountain bike or adder - the bikes are scarier!) From Seven Springs, we head to Horse Pasture Pools before joining the Heart of England Way which leads us to an Iron Age hill fort. We circle the castle ring fort before cutting back through forest to the train line. We then pass a monument in honour of the WW2 airbase that was on the site before heading back to the visitor centre for a well earned brew.

A Hike on the Lickey Hills

This hike will be led by Mary Coles and will start from the Lickey Hills Visitor Centre, Warren Lane, B45-8ER, at 9.15 am. Cars may be parked in the car park.  

The walk will be approx. 8 miles and starts from the visitor centre through the burial grounds to the Obelisk. The route then follows back lanes and footpaths, picking up the Monarchs Way to the Waseley Hills (quite steep) from which there are fabulous views. It then picks up the North Worcestershire Path and returns to the Visitor Centre

Read More

A Hike from Berkswell via Meriden

This hike starts from the Bear Inn at Berkswell, CV7 7BB at 9.00 am and is approx. 10 miles long and will be led by Bob Reid.

 

From the Bear Inn the walk proceeds to Berkswell parish church and then past Berkswell Hall following the Heart of England Way. It soon leaves the HoE Way to follow the Millennium Way via sixteen acre wood, sand and gravel pits up to Meriden Hall. It continues to follow Millennium Way through Church Farm,Spring Wood and Flints Green to Benton Green and then makes its way back to Berkswell.

Read More

A Hike from Balsall Common via Chadwick End and Temple Balsall

This hike starts at the Saracen's Head, Balsall Common, CV7 7AS,  at 9.00 am. and is approx. 8.5 miles long and will be led by Bob Reid.

The walk follows the Heart of England way from Balsall Common to Chadwick End which is along rural footpaths. At Chadwick End it changes to a country lane for a 1.5 miles before picking up the Millennium Way to Temple Balsall and back to Balsall Common.

Read More

A Hike led by Gill Shalley

Studley Church
Studley Church

This walk will start from The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Studley, B80 7AB at 10.00 am.  It will be about 8 miles long.  Cars can be parked outside the church or around the corner in a small car park.

A Hike led by Sarah Meharg

Sarah led a short walk from the Gym to Barston Lake and then to Barston village and back to Hampton.

A Hike led by Sharron Maguire

This walk will be approx. 9.5 miles long and will start at the Tipperary Inn, Meer End, CV8 1PW. Car parking in the pub car park is permissible if stopping for refreshments otherwise there is plenty of roadside parking in Table Oak Lane.

The route leads through mainly flat countryside incorporating an interesting church, pleasant woodland and the delightful Kenilworth castle. The walk incorporates a section of the Millennium Way. The terrain is relatively flat and the route follows a mixture of field and woodland paths.

Read More

A Hike led by Kay Dick

This walk started from the Bulls Head, Barston, B92-0JU. The walk is approx. 7 miles long 

From the Bulls Head walk towards Balsall Street and then follow the Heart of England/Millennium Way to the West Midlands golf club and then back to Barston.

Read More

A Hike Led by Sarah Meharg

This hike will be around Sutton Park and will start at 9.00 am. from the Toby Carvery, Sutton Park, B74-2YT (just inside the Town Gate). The walk is approx. 9 miles long.

 

Sutton Park is a 2,400 acre National Nature Reserve located 6 miles north of the city centre. It’s one of the largest urban parks in Europe and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The park has open heathland, woodlands, seven lakes, wetlands, and marshes - each with its own rich variety of plants and wildlife, some rarely seen in the region. Cattle and wild ponies graze on the land.

Hampton Gym to Berkswell, Barston and back

This walk is not currently accessible because of HS2 work and will need to be modified to follow new footpaths when the work is complete. Evan Grant, 7 Feb 2022

Read More

A Hike from Preston Bagot Led by Mary Coles

Lock Keepers Cottage at Preston Bagot
Lock Keepers Cottage at Preston Bagot

This walk was led by Mary Coles and started from the Crab Mill at Preston Bagot, B95 5EE, and was approximately 9.5 miles long.

The walk starts across fields before heading roughly south along the Stratford Canal to pick up the Monarch's Way going south east past Austy Wood to Cutler's Farm. From here it goes north to Tattle Bank before crossing the A4189 near Claverdon on the way to Yarningale Common. It continues north to pick up the Stratford Canal again for a short while before crossing Preston Fields, Preston Bagot church and Church Farm to drop back down to the Crab Mill.

Read More

A Circular Hike from Knowle via Temple Balsall

Knights Templar Building, Temple Balsall
Knights Templar Building, Temple Balsall

This walk starts from the Kings Arms, Knowle B93-0EE. The walk is approximately 9.5 miles long. Car parking is available in the pub car park.

 

The walk leaves the Kings Arms and heads west across fields to Norton Green farm and then east and south via The Hollies Farm and Fir Tree Farm to the Millennium Way leading to Priory Farm. Here it turns due east along Rising Lane to meet the Heart of England Way at Baddesley Clinton. Follow the HoEW northwards thro' Chadwick End to Fen End Road at Gate Farm where it proceeds westward to Temple Balsall to meet Millennium Way again. Continue along Millennium Way south and west to the Grand Union canal and then head north along the canal for about 500 yards back to the Kings Arms.

Read More

A Hike from Furnace End led by Angus & Tracey

Arley Wood
Arley Wood

This walk starts at the Bulls Head in Furnace End, B46-2LG and is approx. 9.5 miles long.

 

Something for everyone: an old Colliery, rolling Warwickshire countryside, a path through Arley Wood, quiet country lanes a coffee/toilet stop and one of the best pubs around with great atmosphere, ales and food.

Read More

A Circular Hike from Birchley Heath led by Lou Pearson

Hartshill Hayes Country Park
Hartshill Hayes Country Park

This walk, led by Lou Pearson, starts from Birchley Heath, CV10-0QY, at 9.00 am.  Meet at the bus shelter in the village, car parking is available in the village.

The walk proceeds from the village through fields with ancient woodland to Hartshill Hayes Country Park, offering panoramic views across four counties on a clear day. It will then descend the Atherstone Ridge and follow the Coventry Canal before gently climbing through fields and woodland back to Birchley Heath.

A Hike from Barnt Green Led by Mary Coles

This walk, led by Mary, starts at the Barnt Green Inn, 22, Kendal End Road, Rednal, B45 8PZ is 10.5 mile long taking in the Lickey and Waseley Hills. 

 

The walk starts off in the Lickey Hills, heading north west through Pinfield Wood and Lickey Warren, then though the burial ground to the Obelisk. The route then follows back lanes and footpaths, crossing under the A38, to pick up the Monarch’s Way by the Chadwich Manor Estate. There will be an opportunity to visit a rather lovely farm shop just before then. We then climb up the Waseley Hills (quite steep) to take in fabulous views across to the West before reaching the viewpoint on Windmill Hill. There is a Visitor’s Centre with toilets at the bottom of the hill if the consensus is to go there. The route then picks up the North Worcestershire Path, with views across to the East, to the what now seems the obligatory Golf Course  - it’s either a canal or Golf Course! After circumnavigating the tees and greens , hopefully without getting lost, the route heads back up to the Lickey Hills Visitor’s Centre (more toilets) before heading south along the bottom of Cofton Hill and back into Pinfold Wood and the pub.

A Circular Walk from the Navigation Inn, Lapworth

Baddesley Clinton Moated Manor House
Baddesley Clinton Moated Manor House

This walk begins at the Navigation Inn at Lapworth, B94 6NA and is approximately 9 miles long. The route is chosen to avoid crop fields and muddy towpaths as far as possible, and the walk leader when we walked this route on 14 Jan 2018 was Angus Mills.

Read More

A New Years Day Walk from Henley-in-Arden

The walk, led by Bob Reid, will started at 10.00 am from the Prince Harry Road car park in Henley-in-Arden, B95 5DD. 

 

Leave the car park onto the A4189, turn right to the A3400 then left for some 250 yards to a footpath on the right. Follow this footpath across the railway, over fields, traversing May's Hill to further fields and alongside a wood leading to Wawensmere Road. Walk about 2.5 miles along Wawensmere Road to where the Arden Way goes off to the right to Cadborough Coppice and Farm and eventually to the A4189. Cross the A4189 over a field to Church Road to Ullenhall following the Arden Way.  Continue along the Arden Way past Chapel Gate farm, Hallend to Henley Golf and Country Club and back alongside the railway to Henley-in-Arden.

 

This route is designed to avoid as much mud as possible. 

Read More