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City of Birmingham Group

We are the City of Birmingham Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.

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Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
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  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking
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Overview

WALK DESCRIPTION: This is an easy, flat 5-mile morning and 2.75-mile afternoon. Morning. For those starting at the train station, our route goes down to the River Cole, turning south following the river to Sarehole Mill, where we will gather the bus travellers. We continue on the John Morris Jones walkway, passing through the Shire country park - named after J. R. R. Tolkien whose childhood was spent exploring this area. It is an attractive, verdant walk following alongside the river, in woodland, meadows and marsh sections which support a variety of wildlife. Walking south we meander to explore before surfacing at Trittiford. Here the route heads west through very different parkland before entering Cox Moor woodland. Weaving our way to the Stratford canal, the route is on the canal tow path to Shirley. Here, we head through another nature reserve via Priory Ponds and then on to The Colebrook pub for lunch. Afternoon. On leaving the pub we make our way to the Christmas tree farm then the Stratford Canal. Turning north we walk on the tow path to the swing bridge then to Shirley Station.

Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Start time:
10:20 am
Estimated finish time:
4:30 pm
Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
12.1km / 7.5mi
Ascent:
N/A
Type:
linear

BOOKING ESSENTIAL, please use the link above for our booking  page.

Features

  • Refreshments available (Pub/cafe)
  • Accessible by public transport
  • Car parking available
  • No car needed

Starting point

Grid reference:
SP 10447 82141
Nearest postcode:
B28 8AA
what3words:
scary.navy.index
Start time:
10:20 am

JOINING INSTRUCTIONS: This linear walk is accessible by public transport. (travel by car is not advised as there is very limited parking at Hall Green Station). Lunch at the Colebrook Pub, or if preferred, bring a picnic. Public Transport options: By train: To start the walk from Hall Green station (B28 8AA), catch 10.09 am train from Moor Street Station (B4 7LU), arriving at Hall Green Station 10.20 am. An off-peak return ticket to Shirley Station will cover the outward and return trip, £5.40. Centro Travel pass holders are free. The leader will meet you at Hall Green Station 10.20am. By bus: To start from Sarehole Mill. Buses No. 11A or 11C outer circle stop at Sarehole Mill. Alight here and enter the car park at Sarehole Mill. The leader will meet you at Sarehole Mill approximately 10.35 am. Return is from Shirley Station. Return Trains are 09 and 39 past the hour. Please note Sarehole Mill is closed on Wednesdays, Please use toilets at Moor Street Station if travelling from town.

Finishing point

Grid reference:
SP 10702 78454
Nearest postcode:
B90 2NE
what3words:
warns.codes.actual
Estimated finish time:
4:30 pm

Return is from Shirley Station. Return Trains are 09 and 39 past the hour.

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking