Short Walk: Birmingham's Lakes & Canals: Linear walk from Aston Station to Erdington Station

WALK DESCRIPTION: A 4.75-mile walk starting at Aston Station and finishing at Erdington station (same train line). Starting from Aston station we cross the road to join the canal and head towards Spaghetti Junction. We walk underneath Spaghetti Junction seeing at first hand this part of the extensive canal network underneath the motorway structure - an interesting experience. After Spaghetti we continue a further short distance along the canal before heading off towards the Erdington parks and lakes. The first park is Brookvale Park with its large boating lake;  we follow a very pleasant tree-lined path following the side of the lake. Next is Witton Lakes, two large lakes with plentiful birdlife separated by a causeway. Once again we have a pleasant path alongside the lakes and briefly detour onto the causeway where we pause to savour the scene and the birdlife. We then have to tear ourselves away from all this, cross a small stream and follow more parkland for most of the remainder of the walk to Erdington station. Just before we get to the station we have the option to stop by for a drink at the Red Lion, a Victorian pub – described as a “traditional street corner pub, built in 1899, that features on CAMRA's list of historically important pub interiors. Close to Erdington railway station, this pub features a beautiful original tiled bar, now sadly rare, and decorative bar-back”.  The glazed ceramic tiles are indeed most impressive. Linear 4.75 miles.