Best walks near Coventry by train
Warwickshire · West Midlands of England | Walks by foot
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in West Midlands of England and plan your next day of green.
Tring Station Circular via Ashridge Estate (Hertfordshire)
1h from Coventry, with one change.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
Beginner-friendly: It’s nearly all in a big National Trust estate that’s extremely well sign-posted. It’s completely fine to deviate from the route — explore and shorten as you like! The lunch options are simple cafés, so no messing around with booking a table in advance.
An essential walk! The Ashridge Estate is very beautiful if you appreciate woodland, and covers more then enough ground to cover a day of hiking in itself. There are paths everywhere and you can wander freely. Ancient trees, rolling chalk downlands, and lush meadows. Relatively busy. Take the minor paths to avoid the crowds. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Ashridge Estate and Ashridge House.
Lunch stops: the Ashridge Estate Café (1h–1h30 in), or Ashridge House café (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk reward: the Valiant Trooper.
Nuneaton Station Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
30m direct from Coventry.
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
Oxford Station Circular via Port Meadow (Oxfordshire)
45m direct from Coventry.
15km. Flat terrain. 4h–6h30.
Flat riverside towpaths, water meadows, canal towpath, Oxford city streets, college lanes, and historic squares. Can be flooded.
Highlights: Pitt Rivers Museum and Oxford.
Lunch stops in Wolvercote (1h–2h in): the Trout Inn, Godstow, or the Jacob's Inn. Other lunch stops: the Perch (30m–1h in), or the Anchor (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lamb & Flag, Oxford, the Red Lion, the Turf Tavern, the Bear, the Crown, the Royal Blenheim, the Castle Pub, or the Jolly Farmers.
Atherstone Station Circular via Sheepy Magna (Warwickshire)
30m from Coventry, 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
Barrow-upon-Soar Station to Leicester Station (Leicestershire)
45m from Coventry, with one change.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h30.
On decent paths.
Lunch stops in Birstall (3h30–6h in): the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse.
End-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Lichfield Trent Valley Station Circular via Whittington Heath (Staffordshire)
45m from Coventry, 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
Derby Station Circular via Darley Abbey (Derbyshire)
1h from Coventry, with one change.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–9h.
Parks, river, and heritage trail.
Highlights: Museum of Making and Darley Park.
Lunch stops in Darley Park (1h–2h in): Darley Park Terrace Cafe, the Little Darley in the Park, the Abbey Inn, or the Darleys. Other lunch stops: the Joiners Arms (3h–5h in), or the Orangery Café (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Victoria Inn, or the Waterfall.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Derby Station to Long Eaton Station (Derbyshire)
1h from Coventry, with one change.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h.
Waterways — River Derwent, Derby & Sandiacre Canal, and Erewash Canal.
Lunch stops: Canal Cottage Cafe (2h30–4h30 in), or the Navigation (3h–5h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: Peking House, or the Sawley Junction.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Duffield Station to Derby Station (Derbyshire)
1h from Coventry, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 17km. 4h30–8h.
Repurposed railway track along the Great Northern Greenway.
Lunch stops: the Bell and Harp (1h–1h30 in), or the Three Horseshoes (2h–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Waterfall, or the Merry Widows.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Tring Station to Wendover Station (Hertfordshire)
1h from Coventry, with one change.
Tough: 22km. Moderate ascents. 6h–10h.
Flat canal towpath, reservoir banks, open arable fields, wooded Chilterns hills, and steep descents. Steep chalky descent.
Lunch stop: the Partridge (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: Wendover Woods Café.
Tring Station Circular via Ivinghoe Beacon (Hertfordshire)
1h from Coventry, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 15km. 4h–7h.
Ridgeway escarpment, gravel track through beechwoods, and optional bluebell woodland diversion. Very exposed and windy.
Highlights: Ashridge Estate.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat except close to the end of the walk.
End-of-walk rewards: the Ashridge Estate Café, the Greyhound Inn, or Church Farm Café.
Atherstone Station Circular via Mancetter Quarry (Warwickshire)
30m from Coventry, with one change.
14km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h30.
Woodlands, country park, and valley views.
Lunch stops in Ridge Lane (2h30–4h in): the Church End Brewery Tap Room, or the White Hart. Other lunch stop: the Kings Head Pub (2h30–4h in).