Hampton-in-Arden Railway Station, Rail Trails

This trail takes you on mainly tarmacked surfaces out of Hampton-in-Arden, across the River Blythe to the Marsh Lane Nature Reserve before returning to the village. Mentioned in Domesday Book, Hampton is now a popular commuter village and also boasts Solihull’s only Michelin-starred restaurant – Peel’s at Hampton Manor. There are plenty of hints of its antiquity in the well preserved 17th century timbered houses of the village.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.84 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 28 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 29 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 123 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 87 m

Description de la randonnée

Start: Hampton-in-Arden Railway Station (B92 0BJ) Grid Ref. SP 205 812

(S/E) With Hampton-in-Arden Railway Station behind you turn right down the main road (B4102) and continue along the pavement on this road crossing the road where necessary until you reach the river after 1.2 Km or so.

(1) At Patrick Bridge cross the River Blythe and then cross the road. Walk along the pavement up towards a layby with a bus stop.

(2) Immediately before the layby take the footpath on the right through a kissing gate. Then follow this old road past the Marsh Lane Nature Reserve (A) until you reach some houses on the left after a couple more kissing gates. The old road joins the public highway near Lincoln Farm Truck Stop. Continue in the same direction past the entrance to the truck stop.

(3) Follow the lane round to the right and continue until you pass under a railway bridge. Turn right immediately after the railway bridge and follow the road down to the raised footway which leads to the packhorse bridge. Over the packhorse bridge keep straight on and join a road near a noticeboard and parking area.

(4) Take the road, which is Marsh Lane, and follow it straight on up into the village.

Before going up Marsh Lane it is possible to add on a walk around the lake. Take the footpath on the left which goes past a pond and on a short distance to the lakeside. To walk round the lake you can go in either direction.

(5) At the junction with the main road (B4102) by the corner shop turn right and walk back down to the station taking time to look at the some interesting old cottages and passing the war memorial on your left. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 103 m - Hampton-in-Arden Railway Station
  2. 1 : km 1.17 - alt. 88 m - Patrick Bridge - River Blythe
  3. 2 : km 1.53 - alt. 88 m - Layby with a bus stop
  4. 3 : km 3.12 - alt. 94 m - Lane
  5. 4 : km 4.02 - alt. 90 m - Marsh Lane
  6. 5 : km 5.18 - alt. 120 m - Junction with the main road (B4102)
  7. S/E : km 5.84 - alt. 103 m - Hampton-in-Arden Railway Station

Practical information

Start: Hampton-in-Arden Railway Station (B92 0BJ) Grid Ref. SP 205 812

Transport: Hampton-in-Arden is on the West Coast Main Line between Coventry and Birmingham. Trains depart every half-hour to Birmingham New Street and London Euston via Coventry respectively. Additionally, some peak period trains begin and terminate at Coventry or Northampton. Sunday services see a single hourly train between Birmingham New Street and Euston.
There are limited facilities available at this station.

Refreshments: On your return to the village, reward yourself with a pint at the White Lion or replenish supplies at the Corner Shop or Village Stores & Hampton Wines.

Hampton Corner Shop: Open six days a week offering an extensive delicatessen counter and homemade meals for the fridge and freezer, as well as fresh seasonal produce and general groceries. The Place for picnic supplies!

Hampton Manor: Enjoy wood-fired feasts amongst the Victorian greenhouses at Smokes, an immersive dining experience in the walled garden of Grace & Savour, and the Michelin Star tasting menu at Peel’s in the manor house. There’s even an artisan bakery!

Sandwiches @ No.6: Room for more? Then don’t neglect this lovely little sandwich shop and cafe serving cakes, bread, sandwiches and savories. All to eat in or take away.

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

In the nearby area

As you head out of the village you’ll cross the packhorse bridge. Thought to date back to the 15th Century, this picturesque five bay bridge sits on the old route to Kenilworth. Alongside the river you’ll have the opportunity to explore the pools and hides at the Marsh Lane Nature Reserve.

Hampton’s packhorse bridge is believed to be the only surviving example in the Midlands. These bridges were used by packhorses loaded up with sidebags or pannier baskets. The low parapets were so they did not touch the horse’s panniers. There is also room for pedestrians to take refuge from the horses!

Hampton’s station dates back to 1884. The track bed of the old Midland route remains and a footpath for hikers runs alongside the site of the original track.

(A) Marsh Lane Nature Reserve: A former sand and gravel quarry site. Explore the three main pools together with woodland, grassland and ponds. For proper twitchers, the four hides give excellent views of all the pools and islands.

St. Mary and St. Bartholomew: This venerable church dates from about 1130 A.D, with it’s door alone being 400 years old! In the south wall of the chapel is a tomb reputed to contain the heart of a Knight Templar who died on a crusade with Richard the Lionheart.

Other walks in the area

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.