SHA Small Heath Alliance

I've done all the way from Brum down to the Severn at Worcester, although kipping over in a little bivvy for a night, the only bit I dont like is having to cross over the high speed Bromsgrove Highway just short of Tardebigge top lock, absolutely lethal.

When I'm doing that, I tend to ignore the canal after you come up before Wast Hills tunnel. Rubbish bit up Primrose Hill, then
- straight on onto Icknield Street (assuming the ford isn't flooded)
-straight all the way to Weatheroak Hill, via a little bit on the main Redhill Road, with a slightly dicey right turn onto Brockhill Lane by the Peacock - usually quiet early at the weekends.
- Turn right onto Weatheroak Hill, the hill down from there into Alvechurch is generally pretty quiet.
- Then you can turn back onto the canal by the marina a bit after the station and come all the way back to Hopwood - but the only thing is you need to cross the main Brimingham/Redditch Road. Again, it's usually ok early at the weekend.
- Turn right, and then immediately left at the petrol station.
- follow the road round past the rugby club and eventually left onto Watery Lane
- Right onto Lea End Lane and up the hill back to the Peacock - NB. this hill is an absolute killer, but at least is quiet and you have to do a hill somewhere to come back.
- Follow Icknield Street back to Kings Norton/Primrose Hill. Make sure you aren't going too fast down the hill back, as the locals consider stopping for cyclists at the Shannon Road junction as strictly voluntary.

I did a charity walk for St Richard’s Hospice a few years ago and starting at Droitwich Rugby Club, you can do a 21-mile circular walk that takes you into Worcester

Haircut1000

Walked yesterday from the University of Birmingham halls of residence in the Vale along the Worcester and Birmingham canal into Gas Street Basin. It was lovely, what a pleasant walk for anyone thinking of getting out and about over the summer. Honestly people always going on about Brum being a shithole but this is a lovely part of the city, almost idyllic.

What are your recommended canal walks, here or elsewhere?

There's a great loop you can do to extend this route. From Gas Street, go towards the Indoor Arena and follow the canal alongside the main train line towards Wolverhampton. Come off the canal at Summerfield Park, walk through the park and take the Harborne Walkway. At the end, walk to Harborne High Street and then back to the canal at the University via the QE

Newbs

Haircut1000

Walked yesterday from the University of Birmingham halls of residence in the Vale along the Worcester and Birmingham canal into Gas Street Basin. It was lovely, what a pleasant walk for anyone thinking of getting out and about over the summer. Honestly people always going on about Brum being a shithole but this is a lovely part of the city, almost idyllic.

What are your recommended canal walks, here or elsewhere?

There's a great loop you can do to extend this route. From Gas Street, go towards the Indoor Arena and follow the canal alongside the main train line towards Wolverhampton. Come off the canal at Summerfield Park, walk through the park and take the Harborne Walkway. At the end, walk to Harborne High Street and then back to the canal at the University via the QE

Cheers mate. Would have gone further but it was getting late. Will try that next time.

Ricky Blotto

Bromsgrove/Droitwich way is lovely. The walk from The Queen's Head (Stoke Pound) through to The Boat and Railway (Stoke Prior) is a treat. Stop off at The Navigation pub for a curry on the way

Careful, Gabby frequents the Queen's. Dvb.

I’ve never seen the test round there and used the Ewe & Lamb and The Queens Head a fair bit

Mr Driscoll

Hope you don't mind me jumping in on this thread , but can I ask a related question? I'm two weeks in to recovering from surgery right now and hoping, in around 3weeks time to start doing some cycling along the canals.
Any info on decent stretches, with tow paths wide enough for cycling would be greatly appreciated. I'm in Sutton, but I've got easy access to the Lichfield to Redditch train line.

TIA

Some good suggestions I see but going the other side, if you go to Lichfield way, there are plenty of amazing canal trips, taking it from Lichfield to Barton or fradley marina is a lovely one and can enjoy a nice coffee or some food there. You can also get off at Alrewas and then head to the national memorial arboretum or there is a pub right by the canal called the Crown which has amazing food

Mr Driscoll

Hope you don't mind me jumping in on this thread , but can I ask a related question? I'm two weeks in to recovering from surgery right now and hoping, in around 3weeks time to start doing some cycling along the canals.
Any info on decent stretches, with tow paths wide enough for cycling would be greatly appreciated. I'm in Sutton, but I've got easy access to the Lichfield to Redditch train line.

TIA

You could catch the train to Kings Norton (Cotteridge) and head down to the playing fields opposite Kings Norton Park and pick up the Worcester-Birmingham canal into town (Gas Street).

Haircut1000

What are your recommended canal walks, here or elsewhere?

Queens Head at Stoke Pound Bromsgrove is on canal near to Tardebigge bottom lock.

Nice enough pub and the walk from there to Tardebigge top lock and beyond is lovely.

Thanks for all the cycling suggestions (and apologies to Haircut1000 for sticking my oar in). I've checked all of those suggestions out and will make sure I try each of them over the summer. 👍

Mr Driscoll

Thanks for all the cycling suggestions (and apologies to Haircut1000 for sticking my oar in). I've checked all of those suggestions out and will make sure I try each of them over the summer. 👍

No problem. Hope your recovery goes well.

Keep going next time - out through Ast*n, under spaghetti, out through erdington to minworth and then onto Curdworth Locks and eventually Tamworth, Whittington and Huddlesford near Lichfield where the Plough is a great place for some 'refreshments'. Another mile or so (off the canal now) and you're at Lichfield Trent Valley where you can get the train back. You're looking at a good 25 miles though so you might wanna buy a bike 🤣

Haircut1000

Walked yesterday from the University of Birmingham halls of residence in the Vale along the Worcester and Birmingham canal into Gas Street Basin. It was lovely, what a pleasant walk for anyone thinking of getting out and about over the summer. Honestly people always going on about Brum being a shithole but this is a lovely part of the city, almost idyllic.

What are your recommended canal walks, here or elsewhere?

The Edstone Aqueduct to Lowsonford and back is good. 11 mile round trip with a very nice pub, The Fleur de Lys, in Lowsonford.