Hints walks

Pleasant mainly flat circular walk starting and ending at a pub.

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!

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.

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.

A look at the industrial heritage of the City of Birmingham. This city walk explores the northwestern sector of central Birmingham.

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.

A circular walk along Birmingham canals, between old and new buildings. Ideal walk to photograph some unusual places and buildings.

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.

Starting at Marquis Drive, the free parking is perfect for this round trip walk. Crossing beautiful forestry land, this walk is perfect for those who want to capture a glimpse of wildlife but also staying shaded under the tall trees. By having the Visitor centre as the half way point, the café provides the perfect pit stop for a cake and a coffee. After a short walk around the fields of Birches Valley, it’s time to head back. On the walk back you can either veer off to the left of the ponds for a more secluded and quiet walkway (as per this route) or stick to the path you ventured down before. As you get closer to your starting point, there is a steep hill that can take some time if you’re not used to a slightly more strenuous walk. But, once you are at the top, it is time to take in some history and walk the old grounds of the RAF base of Marquis Drive. Signs around the walk tell you all about the base and what used to be in the fields surrounding you.

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.

Our walk starts from the medieval stone cross on the village green in Meriden, which reputedly marks the centre of England. This circular walk incorporates the most northerly part of the Millennium Way, joined by a short link through the delightful village of Berkswell, with its lovely cafe. It is amazing to be on such lovely countryside only a few miles from the West Midlands conurbation. HS2 is only encountered for a short section. This is walk 40 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.

This is the 7th section of the Millenium Way 100 miles from Meriden to Kenilworth.

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.

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.

The war memorials on Cannock Chase provide a poignant reminder of our past history. This Staffordshire walk starts from the village of Brocton and offers an intresting insight into the landscape of Cannock Chase whilst visiting the war memorials.

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.

This walk on the southern edge of the West Midlands explores some pleasant countryside and also follows a section of the Millennium Way long distance path.

A short circular walk from the picturesque village of Barston through the outskirts of Balsall Common. Enjoy open countryside and the delights of the Warwickshire landscape, while being very close to Birmingham. This is walk 4 from the 44 circulars composing the Millenium Way.

This circular walk starts from Berswell. Almost half of this delightful walk across the countryside uses a section of the MILLENNIUM WAY, with its distinctive black and white waymarkers. This is the walk 11 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.

An enjoyable short walk which takes in some attractive countryside and farmland. No sign of HS2! Mostly flat with dog-friendly gates & stiles.This the walk 3 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.

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.

A Staffordshire walk that explores some of the highlights of the northern part of Cannock Chase AONB. The route includes heathland, a section of canal and a walk through Shugborough Park.

This circular walk meanders across mostly flat farmland & open countryside. Take time to explore Berkswell with it's historic church, in particular the fascinating underground crypt, find the village green and the stocks. This is walk 12 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.

This Staffordshire stroll visits the site of the largest non-nuclear explosion in the world - the Fauld Crater. It is an easy walk and offers an interesting diversion for an hour or so.

This Staffordshire walk explores some of the highlights of Cannock Chase AONB in the vicinity of Milford. The route includes heathland, a section of canal and a walk through Shugborough Park.

This trail takes you through countryside and farmland to the historic village of Berkswell where you’ll spot several 16th and 17th century houses as well as the 16th century Bear Inn and Grade 1 listed, church of St. John the Baptist. Famous for its Norman crypt, it is considered amongst the finest in the country. Outside the church is Bercul’s Well legendarily used for full immersion baptisms as far back as the 8th century.

The heathland of Cannock Chase in Staffordshire offers plenty of walks. This route starts from Milford, near Stafford, and visits some of the highlights of the area including the Stepping Stones and Seven Springs.

This Staffordshire walk begins with an exploratory look at a small part of Cannock Chase - now designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It then includes a walk through the parkland surrounding Lord Lichfield's Shugborough Hall before concluding with a look at some of Britain's canal heritage.

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.

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.

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.

This short walk explores the Staffordshire countryside between the eastern outskirts of Stafford and the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The route offers views to Cannock Chase and the chance to explore the villages of Walton-on-the-Hill and Brocton.

This trail explores the remaining areas of woodland from what was once part of the great Forest of Arden. Historically this was an area of scattered farmsteads, mostly belonging to the Stoneleigh Estate. You’ll still see occasional older buildings amongst the modern development as well as the plaque which marks the site of the former Massey Ferguson Factory.

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.

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.

This circular walk covers a delightful area of Warwickshire countryside between Coventry and Balsall Common, crossing fairly flat farmland, some woodland and quiet lanes. This is walk 30 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.

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.

This walk between Canley and Coventry railway stations explores the green spaces of Canley Ford Local Nature Reserve, Top Green Park, and Coventry’s largest city park, the stunning War Memorial Park.

This walk goes across mostly flat open countryside, but incorporating an interesting church, pleasant woodland and the delightful Kenilworth castle. It is a very pleasant introduction to The Millennium Way, which is noticeable by our distinctive black and white waymarkers. This is walk 43 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.

This walk goes across mostly flat open countryside, but incorporating an interesting church, pleasant woodland and the delightful Kenilworth castle. It is a very pleasant introduction to The Millennium Way, which is noticeable by our distinctive black and white waymarkers. This is the short version walk 43 from the 44 composing the Millenium Way.

Vibrant Coventry... England’s 9th largest city is known for its industrial past (think cars, bicycles and ribbons), Lady Godiva, and of course the devastating bombing in WWII which practically destroyed St Michael's Cathedral., Wilmcote Coventry, today is a city of unsung art and culture.

Lickey hills leading to the Waseley Hills and back starting from the Beacon on the Lickey Hills looking over at Malvern to the south.

A short Staffordshire walk that begins by following a section of the Trent & Mersey Canal through the Trent Valley. The walk continues to include some pleasant Staffordshire countryside and the glorious parkland of Sandon Hall.