Best walks from Shenstone

Shenstone Station to Tamworth Station

great views to the northwest across Staffordshire. An enjoyable route on quiet lanes and pleasant footpaths, with some road walking at the start, gently rolling countryside with great views, an off-road stretch beside the Black Brook, a short canal towpath section and a final riverside path along the River Tame into Tamworth. Some stiles, occasional cattle and sandy ground near a quarry. Briefly joins the towpath of the Coventry Canal; the riverside Tame path passes a number of wartime pillboxes. Few facilities en route - 'The Pretty Route'.

14km. Moderate ascents.

A few lanes have no verge; reaching Hopwas requires a short stretch of noisy roadside walking (with pavement). HS2 works cross the route but paths remain open and well managed.

Lunch: An unnamed inn at Hopwas (roughly midway) and a bistro at Weeford beside the Black Brook.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shenstone Station to Sutton Coldfield Station

some really beautiful sections. A long, varied route taking in Sutton Park, streets, quiet lanes and countryside. Field paths around Footherley can get muddy and a stretch near the water works is boggy scrubland; several stiles. A green lane has a locked gate diverting onto an overgrown, nettly path and the first half of the Sutton Park crossing is on an access road used by cars. Start and finish are both on the same railway line, so you can walk one way and train back.

13km. Moderate ascents.

Hollyhill Lane is narrow with no pavement; the section of pavement-walking next to busy roads through Little Aston is unavoidable. A narrow railway bridge near Shenstone needs caution. Stiles and boggy ground make it unsuitable in wet weather without boots. Can be muddy.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shenstone Station to Lichfield City Station

A short route crossing fields from Shenstone towards Wall, then a footpath over Harehurst Hill with a gentle ascent and views and finishing along the pavements of Birmingham Road. Includes worn stone steps up to a railway bridge and a stile or two; a field of carrots where the path is unclear. The gentle ascent over Harehurst Hill gives views back to Shenstone and Brownhills and ahead to Lichfield. Cattle may graze on Harehurst Hill. A Co-op supermarket on Birmingham Road; pubs at Shenstone and along Birmingham Road.

6km.

Birmingham Road is busy and fast for much of the way to Lichfield, with traffic approaching from behind feeling unnerving. Claypit Lane through Wall has narrow, bendy stretches that can feel vulnerable. Steps up to the railway bridge; a stile near the farmhouse felt unsteady. A cross-field path is poorly signed where crops have been planted over it.

Lunch: A couple of pubs and a cafe near Shenstone Station; a Co-op, pubs and a brewery eatery (weekends) along Birmingham Road into Lichfield.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route