Solihull Railway Station to Malvern and Brueton Park, Rail Trails

Start: Solihull Railway Station (B91 1LE) Grid ref. SP 144 796

(S/E) Leave Solihull Railway Station, turn right and walk to the junction.

(1) Turn right along B4102, under the railway bridge, cross the road using the crossing, then follow the path round the left side of the leisure centre.

(2) At the first path junction turn left, with the lake on the right. Keep straight on then left on the path under the railway, and a road.

When reaching the junction between Homer Road and Herbert Road, turn right and cross at the lights, then left and almost immediately right down Herbert Road until St Augustine church on the right.

(3) Turn right along the road. When the wide road turns to the left keep straight on through the pedestrianised shopping area. At the end of this traffic-free road, cross the road using the crossing.

(4) Continue in the same direction as previously with the churchyard then a school on the right. Then take the path ahead between the flats to Malvern Park.

(5) Carry straight on passing the statue on the left. Follow the path round to the right and continue along the left edge of the park.

(6) After the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Centre and tearoom take the next path on the right. Then turn left to walk clockwise around the lake. Keep following the path past the sluice gates.

(7) Cross a bridge and turn right, now following the River Blythe to your right. Continue until there is a ramp up to a footbridge which goes right over the river. Keep left of the metal barriers here and go straight on along an unsurfaced footpath. Follow this winding path through the woods and out into open fields. Continue to where several paths meet and there is a footbridge over the motorway.

(8) Turn right, cross the river on a bridge then continue straight on with the hedge to your right. Pass the remains of a kissing gate in a corner and keep straight on along the enclosed path, eventually reaching Lovelace Avenue.

(9) Cross over the road and take the enclosed path opposite to meet Widney Manor Road. Cross the road and turn right along the pavement until reaching house 116, with the large monkey puzzle trees outside. Cross the road and go through the gate opposite and straight down to a wood.

(10) Turn left and keep in the same direction with a hedge on the left across the fields until the path leads into a small car park.

(11) Turn left up the school drive back to Widney Manor Road. Turn right, cross over the road and continue in the same direction.

(12) Turn left down the first road, Hillfield Road, and go under the railway bridge. After a short distance take the first path on the right and follow this, crossing straight over Chelthorn Way. When the path finishes turn left, then right following Huntley Drive.

(13) At the T-junction turn left to the roundabout and turn right. Cross over at the crossing and turn right. After a small car park on the left take the path ahead as far as the skatepark.

(14) Turn left and keep straight ahead passing a small lake on the right. Cross a small bridge, then turn right and walk round the leisure centre which will be on the left.

(2) Then retrace your steps back to Solihull Railway Station.(S/E)

Start: Solihull Railway Station (B91 1LE) Grid ref. SP 144 796

Alternative: As you head back to Solihull station you have the option of shortening the route via a diversion to Widney Manor station.

Transport: Solihull is served by trains running between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford-upon-Avon. Three trains an hour ply the route with two terminating at Dorridge and one continuing to Stratford. Trains also run twice hourly between Birmingham Moor Street, Leamington and Warwick Parkway for London Marylebone. Finally a two hourly stopping service heads to Leamington via Hatton.
Toilets and refreshments are available at this station.

Refreshments: Take advantage of Solihull’s present-day victuals as you head through the town centre. Taste Collective has a variety of street food vendors on rotation; Jamaya serves the best of Jamaican jerk chicken
to the sounds of Marley’s beats, whilst the Tap and Tandoor is an Indian inspired gastro pub. You’ll find a tea room at the historic Manor House, and speciality coffee, cakes and bakes at Vita. Further along your walk, you can grab an ice-cream at the Parkridge Café in the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s Visitor Centre in Brueton Park.

Manor House Tea Room: If you fancy a spot of history, look no further than the 15th century Manor House. While you are at it pop into the tearoom for hot and cold light lunches, cakes & pastries. Open Monday to Saturday and also offer a takeaway service!

Taste Collective: A variety of independent street food traders on rotation, serving food and drinks Wednesday to Sunday in an outdoor covered and heated communal seating area. The perfect spot to unwind and try all sorts of eclectic flavours!

Jamaya: Award-winning Jamaican restaurant famous for it’s “jerk-tastic marination process”! Jamaya is dedicated to bringing proper jerk chicken to the UK. We literally can’t think of a better way to spice up your walk!

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

Solihull is the birthplace of the Land Rover car marque and home of the British equestrian eventing team.

Tudor Grange Park was formerly farmland belonging to the Bird Family, of Bird’s Custard fame, who lived at Tudor Grange, which is now part of the adjacent Solihull College.

St. Alphege Church: Medieval parish church with 13 peal bells and five chapels, built of different local sandstones reflecting the different periods the church was built in. Regular sung services, recitals and concerts to enjoy.

Malvern and Brueton Park: A Green Flag park and local nature reserve. Explore mature woodland, ornamental gardens and lake, the Parkridge local nature reserve, sensory garden and the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre.

Tudor Grange Park: A top notch park with plenty of leisure facilities and events. More interestingly, the Alder Brook fills a small lake providing a valuable haven for geese, swans, ducks and moorhens and coots.