Solihull Way
A 20-mile long-distance path in Warwickshire and the West Midlands, from Earlswood Lakes to Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens, with Solihull as its central point. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SP 116 740
Distance: 20 miles (32 km)
Time: 8–10 hours
Duration: 1–2 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
220 Birmingham, Walsall, Solihull and Redditch
232 Nuneaton and Tamworth, Lichfield and Atherstone
Summary
The Solihull Way is a walking route heading from south to north on the eastern side of Solihull, utilizing farmland, open spaces, and parks as much as possible. From the start at Earlswood Lakes, the route heads in a general northerly direction to cross the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal and continues to Cheswick Green and Monkspath before passing through Hillfield Park.
Hillfield Hall and Malvern Park are then skirted (around here a detour to Brueton Park Nature Reserve is recommended). After Malvern Park, the route continues onto a lovely stretch of walking from east to west along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal and past both Elmdon Heath and Bilsmore Wood. The canal towpath is left at Olton to skirt motor works and access Elmdon Park. The walk through the park is followed by a walk through Sheldon Country Park on the edge of Birmingham International Airport—ideal for some plane spotting—before continuing along Hatchford Brook to Alcott Wood and Kingshurst Brook. After Chelmsley Wood, the route follows a path alongside the M6 motorway to the finish at Castle Bromwich Hall.