This year the powers that be have deemed that we will have three, rather than the usual two Bank Holidays in May. Worker’s Day and the arrival of the Holy Ghost will be celebrated on the 1st May and the 28th May as usual, but this year there is also a national holiday (for those not working in the service industry…) on Monday 8th May. This is to mark the coronation of Charles III – naturally. At least they’re not obiterating May Day and it’s major wink to Belatane (this year, felicitously they are contigious) this time…
So, with more time off toil than usual, what could be better than exploring the Midlands region on foot?
Here is a list of Walk Midlands walks perfect for a late spring bank holiday. Generally speaking buses and trains will be running to their weekend, or Sunday timetables (apart from Saturday which’ll be usual Saturday operation) so do check the times, and whether services are running at all on more rural bus routes.
Peak Black Country
Wychbury Hill
A pleasant walk under five miles, out of the suburban Black Country town of Stourbridge, up the beautiful, but enigmatic Wychbury Hill. Which has stunning views back across the West Midlands conurbation and across Worcestershire as far as the Malverns and Shropshire Hills. Walk ends at the railway station in the Worcestershire commuter village of Hagley. (find out more)
Birmingham by Water
Whitlocks End – Digbeth
A gentle stroll through the always impressively green suburbs of Birmingham from Whitlocks End Station right on the edge of the West Midlands conurbation. It wends its way back to Digbeth in the city centre via the Wake Green Prefabs, Sarehole Mill, Shire Country Park and other noted attractions. Around 8 miles (find out more)
Bank Holiday Challenge
Cromford – Chelmorton
In reasonable fitness and fancy a challenge? This walk, just over 20 miles, right across the Peak District National Park should meet the bill. Almost entirely along high quality cycle track standard paths it doesn’t require much navigation and is largely level after an initial steep climb. Takes in the stunning secenary of Derbyshire’s white peak. (find out more)
Eye of the Midlands
Bardon Hill
Just over 3 mile walk up and over Bardon Hill, the tallest hill in Leicestershire. Perportedly (and having climbed it I reckon this is true) you can see into every county in the Midlands region from the top. (find out more)
One of the “best things about Britain” You be the judge…
Earlswood Lakes
Very short, circular walk from The Lakes Railway Station on the Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon Railway Line, down and along the shore of Earlswood Lakes. A canal reservoir sitting right on the boundary line between West Midlands county and Warwickshire. Long a popular dayout for people from Birmingham and beyond (find out more)
Big views in Little Switzerland
Long Mynd
Circular walk starting and ending at Church Stretton Railway Station. Takes you up on to the windswept and beautiful Long Mynd Plateau in the centre of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty and the heart of the county’s “Little Switzerland” (find out more)
The Erewash Valley’s Friendly Iron Giant
Bennerley Viaduct
Walk out of Nottingham’s suburban fringe into the Erewash Valley following the course of the long abandoned Nottingham Canal now regenerated into a linear park. At its end just outside Ilkeston the walk crosses Bennerley Viaduct, a vast, hulking nearly 500 metre long Victorian cast iron viaduct. An amazing survivial from the 19th Century railway boom, now open as a piece of sustianable transport infastructure (find out more)
Herefordshire Beacon
British Camp
For a hill with a very grand name, going by either British Camp or the Herefordshire Beacon, by Herefordshire standards it is actually not a very big hill (still over 300 metres above sea level though). It is the highest hill in the Herefordshire section of the Malverns, and is easily reached by this circular walk from Colwall Station. (find out more)
Bluebell Woods
Saltwells National Nature Reserve
Short walk from Cradley Heath Railway Station through greenspaces on the edge of the Black Country boroughs of Sandwell and Dudley. Ends at Merry Hill Shopping Centre having passed through the Saltwells National Nature Reserve which has bluebells in spring. (find out more)
Walk to the River Severn
Droitwich Spa – Worcester
Just over nine mile long walk from Droitwich Spa Railway Station, along the canal, to where it joins the River Severn, then down to Worcester city centre along the River Severn Path (find out more)
Walsall by Water
West Bromwich – Walsall
Walk from the edge of West Bromwich using the Black Country’s canal network to reach Walsall, home of Walsall New Art Gallery one of the Midland region’s best gallery spaces (find out more)
King Charles
Boscobel House
Nearly circular walk (between stations on the Wolverhampton – Shrewsbury railway line) remembering the last time that we had a king called Charles. More specifically when he was utterly thrashed by Oliver Cromwell in 1651 and forced into exile in Europe for nearly a decade. Having narrowly escaped being captured by hiding in an oak tree next to Boscobel House on the boundary between Staffordshire and Shropshire. (find out more)
