Walks near Birmingham by train
Stations: Birmingham New Street · Birmingham Moor Street · Birmingham Snow Hill
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Birmingham and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Birmingham.
Derby Circular via Allestree Park (Derbyshire)
30 minutes direct from Birmingham New Street.
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)
30 minutes direct from Birmingham New Street.
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 Birmingham New 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.
Nottingham to East Midlands Parkway (Nottinghamshire)
1 hour from Birmingham New Street, with one change.
Canal, river, wooded track and roadside footpath.
2 lunch spots: Wilford Farm (1h30 in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h in)
Warnings: Short stretch on busy A453.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Nuneaton Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
30 minutes direct from Birmingham New Street.
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)
45 minutes direct from Birmingham New Street.
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.
Atherstone Circular via Sheepy Magna (Warwickshire)
30 minutes from Birmingham New Street, with one change.
Canal and villages.
2 lunch spots: San Giovanni (2h45 in), or the Black Horse (3h in)
7 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: the Leicester Ramblers.
Spondon Circular via Dale Abbey (Derbyshire)
45 minutes from Birmingham New Street, with one change.
Villages, park grounds and ornamental lake.
2 lunch spots: Dale Abbey (2h in) — the Carpenters Arms, or the Friar's House
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Vernon Arms, the White Swan, the Hoptimist-Spondon, or the Malt Shovel
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
East Midlands Parkway Circular via Gotham (Nottinghamshire)
45 minutes from Birmingham New Street, with one change.
3 lunch spots: Gotham (3h in) — the Sun Inn, the Cuckoo Bush Inn, or the Star Inn
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Attenborough Circular via Nature Reserve (Nottinghamshire)
1 hour from Birmingham New Street, with one change.
Good paths, nature reserve, canal and river.
Waterway: nine tenths beside rivers and canals.
4 lunch spots: Beeston Lock (1h in) — the Riverside Bar, Boathouse Cafe, or Canal Heritage Centre; plus Restaurant Sat Bains (2h in)
Warnings: Check for flooding.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Loughborough Circular via Walton on the Wolds (Leicestershire)
1 hour from Birmingham New Street, with one change.
Canal, footpaths and roadside footpath.
3 lunch spots: the Anchor Inn (1h45 in), the Blacksmith's Arms (2h45 in), or the Moorings (2h45 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Boat Inn
Warnings: Last section on busy road.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Long Eaton to Ilkeston (Derbyshire)
45 minutes from Birmingham New Street, with one change.
Canal, industrial towns and disused railway viaduct.
Waterway: nine tenths along the Erewash Canal.
3 lunch spots: Hallam Fields, Ilkeston (2h30 in) — Gallows Grub, or the Gallows Inn; plus La Rock (1h15 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Dew Drop Inn
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.