The Lakes to Earlswood Railway Station, Rail Trails

Start : The Lakes Railway Station (B94 5SE) Grid ref. SP 106 734

(S) If arriving from Stratford, walk up the path from platform 2 and turn left over the bridge. If arriving from Birmingham, walk up the path from platform 1 and turn left. Either way, go ahead on the left-hand pavement and turn left onto Cloweswood Lane (dead end sign).

(1) At the end of the road, go ahead on the drive, passing the pool on your right and the electricity substation on the left. At the end of the drive, bear right through the gate with “Danger – Men at Work” sign. Walk ahead on the path between temporary metal fences. Turn right through a metal kissing gate.

(2) Cross the footbridge and turn right with the stream on your right. Walk ahead to reach the pool (A) and continue with Terry’s pool on your left. At the junction of paths, continue ahead with Engine Pool now on your left.

(3) Cross Malthouse Lane and continue around the edge of Windmill Pool until reaching Valley Road on it Northern Edge.

(4) Turn left along the road, staying close to the Lakes on your left. Recross the causeway until the edge of the Lake and the path turn away to your left.

(5) Continue ahead on the narrow path, ignoring junctions back along the other side of Terry’s Pool.

(6) At the end of the Pool cross the footbridge to your right to Warwickshire Wildlife Trust sign on the right, and walk ahead on the path through trees. At the first fork bear left and then cross two smaller junctions with side paths.

(7) At the next main path fork bear right to walk almost directly North-West. Bear left on the path where another path joins from your right and continue to follow this main path as it bends left and left again to reach a path crossroads.

(8) Continue ahead as the path bends further left and then right at the next path junction ahead towards the railway.

(9) Do not cross the footbridge over the railway, but turn right on the narrow path with a metal fence on the left. After the fence ends, the path emerges into field. Walk ahead along the left-hand edge of the field (do not take path to left which stays close to railway).

At the end of the field, turn right with gardens on the left. After the last garden, turn left, then turn right parallel to road on left. Turn left through a gap by gate and turn left on a narrow verge to Earlswood station.

(10) For trains towards Stratford, bear left on Station Drive to platform 1. For trains towards Birmingham, cross bridge then turn left down path to platform 2. (E)

Start : The Lakes Railway Station (B94 5SE) Grid ref. SP 106 734

Transport : The Lakes is on the North Warwickshire Line running Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon. There’s Stratford-upon-Avon an hourly service to both Birmingham Moor Street (via Wythall and Shirley) and to Stratford-Upon-Avon (via Wood End, Henley-in-Arden and all stations beyond).
There are limited facilities available at this station, but you can find refreshments along this trail into Earlswood.

Refreshments :
The Red Lion : A solid stop-off on your lakeside ramble! Swing by the Red Lion for hearty favourites and country pub classics, with a well-stocked bar including cask ales, fine wines and British gins. Prop your feet up in the beautiful gardens or by their crackling log fire.

Earlswood Lakes Craft Centre : Eclectic to say the least! Swing by for pottery painting, an exotic animal handling experience, a Bead & Button Bazaar, beauty and holistic treatments, woodturning, cabinet making, jewellery workshops, and more. Plus the Manor Tea Rooms!

The Limes Country Lodge : Fancy a slap up meal after your endeavours? Look no further than the manicured gardens at Limes. Choose between restaurant dining in the Admirals Bistro or just relaxing in the large beer garden.

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

(A) Earlswood Lakes were built in 1820 to supply water to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, which they still do (you’ll pass the historic engine house as you go). Nowadays they also provide leisure facilities and are home to a wide variety of birds and wildlife.
Clowes Wood , the first reserve owned by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. As you pass through the nature reserve, look for the burnt stone pile dating back to the Bronze Age and listen out for the distinctive call of the chiff chaff.
There are some great watering holes near Earlswood Lakes and village, including the Red Lion, The Reservoir and the Manor House Tearooms at the Crafts Centre. You’ll also find a Nisa Local convenience store in the heart of the village.
Earlswood Lakes : The inevitable stars of this walk are once again the three 22 acre reservoirs - Terry’s, Windmill and Engine Pool. All three are stocked with fish whilst Terry’s Pool is a wildlife reserve. Make time to linger on the beach if the sun is out!
Earlswood Lakes were dug by Napoleonic prisoners of war in 19th century. Interestingly, many of the paths were laid by Italian POWs in WWII!
Earlswood Lakes were created in the Imperial period to serve the Stratford- upon-Avon canal. The lakes have a water surface of 85 acres and capacity of 34 million cubic feet. Most of the water lay below canal level so in 1822 a steam engine was bought which pumped until 1936. The engine house is still visible.

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.

Earlswood Moathouse: A Warwickshire Wildlife Trust managed wood created on pasture land. Visit this reserve to explore oak woodland, see bluebells in spring, pick blackberries and spot fascinating fungi in autumn.