Walks near Sutton Coldfield by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Sutton Coldfield and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Sutton Coldfield.
Derby Circular via Allestree Park (Derbyshire)
1 hour from Sutton Coldfield, 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)
1 hour from Sutton Coldfield, 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)
1 hour from Sutton Coldfield, 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.
Lichfield Circular via Whittington Heath (Staffordshire)
15 minutes direct from Sutton Coldfield.
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)
45 minutes from Sutton Coldfield, 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.
Nuneaton Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
45 minutes from Sutton Coldfield, 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.
Alvechurch to Kings Norton (Worcestershire)
1 hour direct from Sutton Coldfield.
Towpath along canal with suburban and greenbelt sections. Nearly 1000 years ago Kings Norton was valued five times higher than Birmingham for taxation; canal junction constructed 1796; area incorporated into Birmingham in 1911.
Waterway: three quarters along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.
Warnings: Narrow road with fast traffic; dark tunnel to avoid (2.5km Wast Hill Tunnel).
Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).
Alvechurch to Earlswood (Worcestershire)
1 hour direct from Sutton Coldfield.
Hilly north Worcestershire landscape. River Blythe rises near Earlswood Lakes.
Warnings: Cars travel fast on twisty road with no pavement; busy A435 dual carriageway crossing.
Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).
Alvechurch to Redditch (Worcestershire)
1 hour direct from Sutton Coldfield.
Rolling countryside into a riverside country park, finishing through Redditch town centre.
Walk details: Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (PDF).
Bromsgrove to Barnt Green (Worcestershire)
45 minutes from Sutton Coldfield, 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).
Bromsgrove to Droitwich Spa (Worcestershire)
45 minutes from Sutton Coldfield, with one change.
Mostly along canal towpaths with field paths and road sections. Walk through mid-Worcestershire from Bromsgrove to Droitwich Spa, tracing salt industry heritage and Victorian spa development via canal routes. Droitwich is a town literally constructed on salt.
Waterway: four fifths along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
Warnings: Be careful of fast-moving cars on lane; towpath muddy in places.
Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).
Reverse direction: Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (PDF, inc. GPX) and Railwalks (inc. GPX).
Bromsgrove to Alvechurch (Worcestershire)
45 minutes from Sutton Coldfield, with one change.
Most pleasant rolling countryside. Pastoral yet industrial terrain of north east Worcestershire. Two towns shaped by 18th-19th century canal development. Alvechurch has long history under Bishop of Worcester from late 8th century.
Waterway: four fifths along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
Warnings: Fast cars on lane; narrow busy road with no pavements.
Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).