Best walks in Warwickshire by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in Warwickshire and plan your next day of green.
Nuneaton Station Circular via Hartshill
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
Atherstone Station Circular via Sheepy Magna
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Lapworth Station to Warwick Station
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.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Berkswell Station to Solihull Station
15m direct from Birmingham New Street.
10km.
Surprisingly expansive landscape. Rural and suburban with boardwalks, fields, woodland, canal towpath, and residential streets. Walk crosses the Meridian Gap from Berkswell to Solihull, West Midlands' largest town, functioning as an affluent dormitory suburb of Birmingham. Muddy woodland path; pavement peters out near Hampton-in-Arden with tight bends.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Sutton Coldfield Station to Lichfield City Station
15m direct from Birmingham New Street.
19km.
Varied suburban and exurban and rural terrain. Connects Sutton Coldfield to historic cathedral city of Lichfield via Anglo-Saxon Shenstone and Roman remains at Wall where Watling Street and Icknield Street met. Camp Road has high traffic, tight bends and heavy lorries; M6 Toll, A5, A5148 crossings; low-hanging power lines.