Bournbrook Walkway/Woodgate Valley Country Park (+ optional pub lunch)

WALK DESCRIPTION: Morning 4.5 miles. We will make our way through the start of Woodgate Valley Country Park and then on to The Bournbrook Walkway. On the track to the Bournbrook, there is a large “Erratic”, a boulder deposited from the ice age. At the Walkway, we do not take the paved path, but a rougher track just to the north of the stream as far as West Boulevard, which we cross. There is more interest on this track and better views of the water. There are several more Erratics along the Bournbrook here, though some are actually in the stream and would be difficult to spot. Onto the paved Walkway we continue and after crossing Harborne Lane, a short distance on we arrive at the A38. Skirting around Sainsbury’s supermarket, we cross the Birmingham-Worcester canal and under the railway line, cross the Bristol Road and then up Heeley Road. At this point walkers who wish to finish at lunchtime have the choice of taking the 61 or 63 bus back to the city or train from Selly Oak railway station. After traversing along Heeley Road, we arrive at the pub, The Country Girl, for lunch. (Walkers who join for lunch but are finishing their walk here will need to retrace their steps back down to Bristol Road for the train or bus). For the afternoon leg of the walk (2 miles) we walk through estate roads to the Worcester-Birmingham canal and head south as far as Lifford Lane, where the walk ends. Walkers may now take the 45 or 47 bus back to the city centre. If there is enough interest we can carry on a mile or so to the junction of the Worcester-Birmingham and Stratford canal at Kings Norton. Have a look at the recently restored Junction House and then cross playing fields to Pershore Road for bus services to the city. Easy walking on mainly good paths and canal towpaths. The track at Bournbrook may be muddy if it has been raining.