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The Barnt Green Circular Walk |
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Simon Richards, our Footpaths Officer, has drawn up a route for the Barnt Green Parish Walk. Starting by the Bittell Road Playing Field, the duration is approximately 5 miles. Please remember: » Wear sensible shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. » Bring a drink (non-alcoholic!) » Bring waterproofs if there is a chance of rain. » The Parish Council can take no responsibility for any loss or injury on the walk. |
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The walk starts at Barnt Green Playing fields Car Park. Go through the gate and head to the left hand side of the park. The path follows the border with the tennis courts and continues in a straight line through the trees to a stile. Cross the stile continuing along the edge of the field. When the junction of paths is reached continue across the stile and bear right to the corner of the field, Go through the gate and turn left onto the bridleway - On the right hand side is lower Bittel Reservoir. Continue along the track until some small ponds are reached. |
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Where the track turns left take the footpath that leads up the bank. Upper Bittell Reservoir is at the top. This is actually a dam - if it had been built in the last 30 years it would probably be an ugly concrete structure! From here there are Wonderful views back to Barnt Green and the Lickey Hills. Follow the track across the dam until you reach a stile. Cross this stile and follow the path until you reach a road. This part of the route can get very muddy! |
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Cross over the road and the stile opposite. The path takes you through the riding stables. At the barn turn right and then left to the canal bridge. Cross the stile on your left on the far side of the bridge. At the canal turn left again to go under the canal bridge you have just crossed. After a short distance Lower Bittell Reservoir is on the right hand side. Continue under a road bridge and then over the aqueduct (this gives it's name to Aqueduct Lane!). Continue under the motorway bridge. An interesting fact is that the section of canal was built in the 1980's - the canal was diverted when the Motorway was built. The next bridge takes you over the disused stub of the canal. Continue until the bridge after the railway. |
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This is Withybed Green, which is actually part of Alvechuch. At this point it is possible to cut the walk short by going back to Barnt Green on the train. Alvechuch station is about 1/2 a mile away. To reach the station, continue along the canal to the next bridge. Otherwise leave the canal and take the road past The Crown Pub - Obviously many people will want view the pub from the inside! Be warned the last train back to Barnt Green is at 11pm though! |
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Continue to the end of the road. The footpath is directly in front of you. The track is well trodden. It is towards the left hand side of the field but not at the edge. At about half way up the hill there is a stile. Cross this and continue up the path to the barn conversions. Cross the stile and follow the path to the road. Turn right along the road continuing until to the T-Junction. |
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Cross the stile and follow the well-defined track towards the mobile phone masts. The path crosses the motorway footbridge. There are good views back to Bittell Reservoir from the far side of the footbridge. Take the path along the left hand side of the field. From here a short track leads back to the road. Turn right and follow the road back to the Village Centre. |
