Walks near Smethwick by train
Stations: Smethwick Rolfe Street · Smethwick Galton Bridge
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Smethwick and plan your next day of green.
Derby Circular via Allestree Park (Derbyshire)
45 minutes from Smethwick Rolfe Street, with one change.
Parks, river and heritage trail.
Museum of Making (30 mins in)
6 lunch spots: Darley Park (1h15 in) — Darley Park Terrace Cafe, the Little Darley in the Park, the Abbey Inn, or the Darleys; plus the Joiners Arms (3h in), or the Orangery Café (4h in)
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Victoria Inn, or the Waterfall
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Similar walk: North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership.
Derby to Long Eaton (Derbyshire)
45 minutes from Smethwick Rolfe Street, with one change.
Waterways — River Derwent, Derby & Sandiacre Canal and Erewash Canal.
2 lunch spots: Canal Cottage Cafe (2h45 in), or the Navigation (3h15 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: Peking House, or the Sawley Junction
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Duffield to Derby (Derbyshire)
45 minutes from Smethwick Rolfe Street, with one change.
Repurposed railway track along the Great Northern Greenway.
Duffield Castle: The remains of one of England's largest castles (National Trust; 30 mins to visit).
2 lunch spots: the Bell and Harp (1h in), or the Three Horseshoes (2h15 in)
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Waterfall, or the Merry Widows
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Nuneaton Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
45 minutes from Smethwick Rolfe Street, with one change.
Parks, river, country park and canal.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
1 lunch spot: the Stag and Pheasant (2h in)
5 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: the Leicester Ramblers.
Lichfield Circular via Whittington Heath (Staffordshire)
1 hour from Smethwick Galton Bridge, with one change.
Golf club, heath, woodland and Heart of England Way.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
2 lunch spots: the Tame Otter (2h15 in), or the Red Lion (2h15 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: the Horse and Jockey, or the Turnpike
Warnings: MOD firing range — check access.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Barrow-upon-Soar to Leicester (Leicestershire)
1 hour from Smethwick Rolfe Street, with one change.
Flat and on decent paths.
Waterway: four fifths along the River Soar.
3 lunch spots: Birstall (3h30 in) — the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse
2 end-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Wellington Circular via the Wrekin (Shropshire)
45 minutes direct from Smethwick Galton Bridge.
Town streets, woodland tracks, steep ascent to The Wrekin summit with panoramic views over Shropshire and beyond.
Warnings: Steep climb to summit; can be windy on top.
Walk details: Wellington Walkers Are Welcome.
Hagley to Barnt Green (Worcestershire)
15 minutes direct from Smethwick Galton Bridge.
Ridge walk over North Worcestershire Hills, open hilltops, scrubland, gorse, woods, pastures, motorway bridge crossing, country parks and heathland with bilberry and heather.
Warnings: Steep descents.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Droitwich Spa to Worcester Foregate Street (Worcestershire)
45 minutes direct from Smethwick Galton Bridge.
Droitwich Canal constructed in 1771 to transport salt to River Severn; fully restored and reopened in 2011.
Waterway: three quarters along the Droitwich Barge Canal.
Hawford Dovecote: 16th-century half-timbered dovecote (National Trust; 30 mins to visit).
Warnings: Riverside path may be fenced off during repair works.
Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).
Reverse direction: Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (PDF, inc. GPX) and Slow Ways (inc. GPX).
Droitwich Spa to Hartlebury (Worcestershire)
45 minutes direct from Smethwick Galton Bridge.
Parkland and field paths past lakes and fishing ponds.
End-of-walk reward: A pub and brewery at Hartlebury near the end.
Walk details: Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (PDF).
Worcester Foregate Street to Great Malvern (Worcestershire)
1 hour direct from Smethwick Galton Bridge.
Picturesque and historically rich. Riverside paths, fields, woodland and urban approaches. Walk traversing two rivers to reach a Victorian spa town beneath iconic hills.
Greyfriars House and Garden: Late medieval merchant's house, rescued from demolition, in Worcester city centre (National Trust; 1h to visit).
1 lunch spot: Greyfriars House and Garden café
Warnings: Muddy sections; multiple gates.
Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).
Reverse direction: Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (PDF, inc. GPX) and Slow Ways (inc. GPX).
Bromsgrove to Barnt Green (Worcestershire)
30 minutes from Smethwick Rolfe Street, with one change.
A gentle climb through open country on the Monarch’s Way and canal towpath.
Waterway: three fifths along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
Walk details: Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (PDF).