Earlswood to Wythall Railway Station, Rail Trails

Start : Earlswood Railway Station (RH1 6HP) Grid ref. SP 095 742

(S) If arriving from Stratford, walk up the path from platform 2 and turn right over the bridge.
If arriving from Birmingham, walk up Station Drive and turn right at the end. Go ahead 300 yards on the right-hand verge until just before the farmhouse.

(1) Cross the road to a large metal gate opposite with a signpost “Public footpath to Wythall 1m”. Go through the gap to the right of the gate, and walk ahead on the right-hand side of the field.

In 150 yards, bear right on the footpath between trees, through a metal kissing gate, over a plank bridge, and ahead on the left-hand side of the field. At the end of the field, through the gap and ahead on the left-hand side of the next field. At the end of this field, go through a gap to the left of the redundant metal kissing gate and bear right on the path across the field.

(2) Walk through the metal kissing gate and ahead through the subway under the railway line. Bend right with the path, cross a footbridge and walk ahead on the left-hand side of the field.

(3) Turn left, cross the plank bridge, and turn right on the enclosed path (do not go through the gap ahead into golf course). Walk ahead on the same path, crossing 4 more plank bridges over muddy sections. At the end, go through a metal kissing gate to the right of a large wooden gate to reach a road (bus shelter on the left).

(4) Turn right on the right-hand pavement.

(5) In 1⁄2 mile, where the road bends right over the railway bridge, cross the road ahead to the station building. Down the path to platform 1 for trains to Birmingham, or turn right over the bridge then immediately left down the path to platform 2 for trains to Stratford.(E)

Start : Earlswood Railway Station (RH1 6HP) Grid ref. SP 095 742

Transport: Earlswood is on the North Warwickshire Line running Wilmcote between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon. There’s Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway an hourly service to both Birmingham Moor Street (via Wythall and Shirley) and to Stratford-Upon-Avon (via The Lakes, Henley-in-Arden and all stations beyond).
Note: The Lakes railway station is located closer to Earlswood village. There are limited facilities available at this station.

Refreshments: On your route, you’ll pass the Wythall Fish Bar on Station Road, and there is a Select and Save convenience store opposite Wythall station. If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, Becketts Farmshop and Restaurant is just another 15-20 minutes walk from the station.
Becketts Farm: Farm shop, restaurant, cookery school and conference centre. The Becketts have been farming in Wythall for 80 years, with a mission to bring fresh food and farming closer to people.
Wythall Fish Bar: Finish the trail and reward yourself at this local traditional fish and chip shop of more than 35 years standing! The fish is always cooked to order, and just the ticket after a wander!

Discover the Heart of England by rail at Heart Community Rail Trail here.

Earlswood Station does not in fact serve the village of Earlswood and is not even the closest station to Earlswood Lakes. We do wonder why they named it so!

Why the wives of Earlswood all had silk knickers despite wartime rationing? On the night of 10th May 1941 a searchlight battery at Fulford Heath brought down a Heinkel He 111. Local folklore holds that the parachutes on-board provided enough material for every woman in Earlswood to have a pair of silk bloomers!

Clowes Wood and New Fallings Coppice, the first reserve owned by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is a good place to start your walk. Here you can explore heathland, woodland and wet meadow, find the burnt stone pile dating back to the Bronze Age, see bluebells in the spring and listen out for the distinctive call of the chiff chaff.
As you cross the River Cole, consider this: its source is very near the main watershed of Midland England. Dropping a pooh stick here could well see it reach the North Sea via the Humber Estuary!

The River Cole: Around 25 miles (40 km) long, the Cole is a tributary of the River Blythe, which it flows into near Coleshill. Its sources are right here in Wythall and also in Kings Norton to the North West.

Fulford Heath Golf Club: Designed by James Braid and opened in 1933, this 18 hole, par 70 course is just over 6,000 yards in length and presents a challenge to golfers of all standards. Visitors are welcome and a pleasant afternoon can be spent in the Clubhouse overlooking the 18th.

Clowes Wood: A piece of history as it was the first reserve owned by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust! Explore ancient woodland with a mix of trees, streams, meadows and a precious remnant of heathland.

The Transport Museum: Home to over 90 buses and to the largest collection of battery electric road vehicles, including over 30 electric milk floats! You can also indulge at the cafe or ride some smaller rails at the miniature railway.