Best walks in the West Midlands of England by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in the West Midlands of England and plan your next day of green.
Nuneaton Station Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
30m direct from Birmingham New Street.
18km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
Parks, river, country park, and canal.
Lunch stop: the Stag and Pheasant (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lord Hop, the Felix Holt, the George Eliot Hotel, the Black Swan In Hand, or the Silk Mill.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Lichfield Trent Valley Station Circular via Whittington Heath (Staffordshire)
30m from Birmingham New Street, with one change.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–9h.
Golf club, heath, woodland, and Heart of England Way. MOD firing range — check access.
Lunch stops: the Tame Otter (2h–3h30 in), or the Red Lion (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Horse and Jockey, or the Turnpike.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Atherstone Station Circular via Sheepy Magna (Warwickshire)
30m from Birmingham New Street, with one change.
20km. Gentle ascents. 5h–9h.
Canal and villages.
Lunch stops: San Giovanni (3h–4h30 in), or the Black Horse (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Blue Lion, the Blue Boar Inn, the Old Swan, the Hat and Beaver, the White Horse, the Kings Head Pub, or the Clock.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Birmingham New Street Station to Kings Norton Station (Warwickshire)
10km.
Canal towpath (Worcester and Birmingham Canal). Kings Norton was site of a 1642 English Civil War battle.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Solihull Station to Birmingham Moor Street Station (Warwickshire)
12km.
Mostly towpath along the Birmingham branch of the Grand Union Canal. Canal authorized in 1793 connecting Digbeth to Warwick; modernized in 1930s; freight traffic ceased by 1970s. Some low bridges requiring ducking; steep ramp at end.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Birmingham New Street Station to University Station (Warwickshire)
5m direct from Birmingham New Street.
5km.
Spectacular modernist architecture. Canal towpath and university campus paths. Urban walk through Birmingham's industrial heritage and prestigious university grounds. Steep slope approaching campus.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Birmingham New Street Station to Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (Warwickshire)
6m direct from Birmingham New Street.
6km.
Canal towpath. Walk along Birmingham Canal Navigation from city center to ethnically diverse Smethwick.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Water Orton Station to Tamworth Station (Warwickshire)
15m direct from Birmingham New Street.
18km.
Mostly on canal towpaths. Through Anglo-Saxon Mercia's territory, passing sites associated with Queen Æthelflæd. Heavy traffic on narrow ancient bridge across River Tame near Water Orton.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Dorridge Station Circular via Packwood House (Warwickshire)
15m direct from Birmingham Moor Street.
8km.
Quintessential English country house. Countryside; partly along the Grand Union Canal towpath. Packwood House is a 16th-century half-timbered manor house extensively reimagined in 1920s by Baron Ash; gifted to National Trust in 1941. Fairly busy road; muddy field conditions.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Birmingham New Street Station to Bournville Station (Warwickshire)
15m direct from Birmingham New Street.
8km.
Canal towpath, urban paths, and suburban streets. Walk along the Worcester-Birmingham Canal from city centre to Cadbury's model village.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Bromsgrove Station to Kings Norton Station (Worcestershire)
15m direct from Birmingham New Street.
19km.
Pastoral yet industrial terrain of north east Worcestershire into Birmingham. Walk traverses the Worcester and Birmingham Canal (1792-1815), featuring 30 locks at Tardebigge Flight. Fast cars on suburban lanes; dual carriageway crossing.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Lapworth Station to Warwick Station (Warwickshire)
15m direct from Birmingham Moor Street.
14km.
Impressive deep cutting (Shrewley). Warwickshire countryside along the Grand Union Canal towpath. Warwick Castle founded 1068; transformed to stately home by Fulke Greville in early 17th century. Grand Union Canal modernised extensively in 1930s. No towpath through Shrewley Tunnel — alternative route via village required.