Northfield to Bournville Circular

1. Start

From behind the telephone exchange, take the path across Victoria Common, passing the playgrounds. At the path junction take the centre path.

Easting: 402236, Northing: 279746

2. Victoria Common to Woodlands Park Road

Cross the road and join the path opposite. At the first path junction go left and left again over the stream, keeping the lake on your right. Go straight over emerging at the junction of Hole Lane/Mulberry Road. Cross into the access road adjacent to the flats, which becomes a narrow surfaced path running adjacent to the houses. Follow the path right, taking the small bridge over the stream.

Easting: 403477, Northing: 280166

3. Woodlands Park Road to Bournville Lane

On reaching the road (Woodlands Park Road) go straight across into Woodlands Park. Carry straight over, past the playground. At the path junction bear left and go through the gap between the hedge and the trees to join a quiet residential road. Turn next right at lamp column 13 into an access road and at the end turn left onto the surfaced path. Follow this path to the end, ignoring any side paths. At the road turn left and immediately right into Hay Green Lane.

Where the road goes around to the right, turn left into Oak Tree Lane and immediately right into Bournville Park. Follow the path straight ahead through the park. Cross the main road (Linden Road) at the pelican and go right then left past the church towards the Cadbury factory and Cadbury World. Just before the factory buildings turn right onto the pedestrian route signed to Bournville station. You should push your bikes along this route which leads around the recreation ground and up a ramp to Bournville Lane. If this route is closed use the alternative road route going right into Linden Road and left into Bournville Lane.

Easting: 404051, Northing: 280985

4. Bournville Lane to Worcester & Birmingham Canal

In Bournville Lane take the first right opposite the mock-Tudor buildings up the steep hill on Franklin Way. At the top turn left towards Bournville station. Cross the railway and turn immediately left down the access ramp and right onto the towpath of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal (canal on your left).

Continue for half a mile. At the Pershore Road bridge the towpath swaps sides. It is possible to avoid 15 steps by turning right up the access road, crossing the bridge on the pavement and descending the ramp (and six steps) on the other side. Continue along the towpath, swapping sides again (via ramps) at Lifford Lane.

Easting: 405078, Northing: 281136

5. Worcester & Birmingham Canal to Wychall Resevoir

At the junction with the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal leave the towpath via the National Cycle Network Route

Easting: 405346, Northing: 279379

6. Whychall Resevoir to Northfield Parish Church

Cross one minor road (Popes Lane) and then leave the path at the next road crossing (Wychall Lane), turning right across the River Rea and up the hill. Follow the road for half a mile. Cross the narrow rail bridge and at the end of the road go straight across Woodland Road into the footpath opposite. At the junction of the paths bear right with the churchyard on your left. At the end turn left into Rectory Road and right into Church Road passing the historic Northfield Parish Church.

Easting: 404056, Northing: 279100

7. Northfield Parish Church to Car Park

At the end of the road, use the short length of shared use path to the left to cross the main road using the traffic signals. Cross to the path going up through the grassy area immediately opposite. This leads into the end of Heath Road South. Take the first path left onto Victoria Common and go straight on to return to the car park.

Easting: 402539, Northing: 279349