A circular walk from Packwood House, near Dorridge

(S)Turn right out of the National Trust car park, down road to pass Grove Lane, then after some 100 paces take the kissing gate L into field following the black Millennium Way waymarker to go over centre of field to kissing gate under power lines. Go ahead with hedge L to cross hidden brook and go half R to power pole in corner by trees to take kissing gate leading into churchyard of St. Giles Church. Face front door of church then go L on pathway to exit churchyard to car park. Here we leave the Millennium Way until later in the walk.

(1)Once in the car park go half R to take corner gap at wooden fence, then take kissing gate following path half R then keeping ahead with hedge R along edge of field towards exit gate directly ahead. Take kissing gate to road then through kissing opposite into field continuing ahead with hedge R to exit field by two stiles / footbridges. Go ahead with hedge R then through metal swing gate to next field then ahead with wire fence on L. Take corner stile and footbridge then head directly L to exit by stile in top L corner of field. Once over the stile go diagonally R to corner of hedge then walk with hedge L towards house directly ahead. Go through both metal gates then ahead down path keeping house on R then continue around driveway and along track keeping pond R and up towards the road.

(2)On reaching the road, turn L and after approx 100 yards take Chapel Lane on your R signposted Chadwick End. Continue down Chapel Lane passing over the railway line ignoring the first waymarked path on R then turn R into Valley Lane where you will again pick up the Millennium Way waymarker. Continue down Valley Lane, ignore road R staying ahead between tall hedges.

(3)Follow road around and just before the entrance to Valley Farm go through kissing gate L into field. Turn R with hedge R to find corner field kissing gate. Then take the next wooden kissing gate and stone bridge, over stile to field. Maintain same line ahead with hedges L to follow the distinctive Millennium Way waymarkers over several stiles and through two gates to finally arrive at road.

(4)Go R on road passing Station Lane over railway line then taking driveway R (The Grove). Continue along drive for 100 yards and just before house gate take passageway R to kissing gate then go with hedge L to take further kissing gate to driveway. Go R then after 10 paces go L through kissing gate into field and continue with hedge left to exit field through gate to road. Go R on road passing driveway on R to Uplands Farm, then shortly afterwards taking kissing gate L into National Trust Packwood Avenue. Go along avenue of trees to return to Packwood House. Turn R down lane which brings you back to the National Trust Car Park.(E)

The car park at Packwood House opens from 10.30am to 5.30pm all year.

Contributors Website or Email - http://walking.41club.org

The earliest record of Packwood, southeast of Solihull, is in a deed dated 1190 witnessed by Walter, chaplain of Packwood, and is evidence that there was priest and no doubt a church. The present church of St Giles dates from the latter part of the 13th century (1270-80) and stands secluded and peaceful in fields, with Church Farm and Packwood Hall as its nearest neighbours. It was at St Giles' church on a June morning in 1706 that a Lichfield bookseller, Michael Johnson, came to marry Sara Ford. Their son, born in 1709, grew up to become Dr Samuel Johnson of literary fame. The registers actually date back to 1668 and are kept in the church safe.