Walks from Tamworth

Mostly on canal towpaths. Through Anglo-Saxon Mercia's territory, passing sites associated with Queen Æthelflæd.

Waterway: four fifths along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.

Time: 4h30–9h

Warnings: Heavy traffic on narrow ancient bridge across River Tame near Water Orton.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Recommended: A very easy, level walk almost entirely along the Coventry Canal towpath, on compacted-stone towpath and pavement, with no gates or stiles. A short noisy section leaving Tamworth and then quiet side streets and open countryside. Passes the Hodge Lane Nature Reserve and Pooley Country Park (public toilets at the visitor centre). The Staffordshire–Warwickshire border is a stream crossing under the canal.

Waterway: four fifths along the Coventry Canal.

Time: 2h–4h

Lunch: A pub at Alvecote Marina, roughly midway. Pubs and shops at the Polesworth end; eateries and shops in Polesworth village.

Warnings: The road into Tamworth can be quite busy mid-afternoon. Polesworth has just one train a day.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Great views to the northwest across Staffordshire. An enjoyable route on quiet lanes and pleasant footpaths, with some road walking at the start, gently rolling countryside with great views, an off-road stretch beside the Black Brook, a short canal towpath section and a final riverside path along the River Tame into Tamworth. Some stiles, occasional cattle and sandy ground near a quarry. Briefly joins the towpath of the Coventry Canal; the riverside Tame path passes a number of wartime pillboxes. Few facilities en route - 'The Pretty Route'.

Time: 4h–7h30

Lunch: An unnamed inn at Hopwas (roughly midway) and a bistro at Weeford beside the Black Brook.

Warnings: A few lanes have no verge; reaching Hopwas requires a short stretch of noisy roadside walking (with pavement). HS2 works cross the route but paths remain open and well managed.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Safe, direct, offroad and beautiful. A safe, direct and largely off-road route following the Heart of England Way, via public footpath and residential road and the A51 into countryside south of Lichfield. A beautifully straight track takes you over the hills before crossing the Tame at Hopwas and following pavement into the town. Follows the Heart of England Way.

Time: 3h30–6h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.