Towpath wildlife at Dickens Heath, Solihull

This circular walk takes you along the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal towpath, public footpaths, bridleways and some roads. It passes through lovely Warwickshire countryside and the development of Dickens Heath New Village - a wetland area to the east of the Canal which is managed by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

1. Starting from The Drawbridge pub, walk to Haslucks Green Road keeping the pub on your right. Turn left along the main road.

2. Turn right into Bills Lane and continue past Wood's Farm. Where the lane turns sharp left, turn right and take the bridleway to Whitlock's End Farm.

For a Short Cut route of just 2 miles / 3kms, or 45 minutes, pass Whitlock's End Farm and, where the track divides, walk straight ahead until you reach the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. Join the towpath at Bridge 10. Turn right and return to The Drawbridge.

3. Pass Whitlock's End Farm, bear left along the bridleway. This peters out through a copse where the path leads onto a concreted track and to the road junction of Tythe Barn Lane and Dickens Heath Road.

4. Turn right into Tythe Barn Lane and join the Canal towpath at Bridge 11.

5. At Bridge 11, turn left and walk along the towpath to Bridge 15.

6. At Bridge 15 leave the towpath, cross the Canal and walk along Braggs Farm Lane to the T-junction.

7. Turn right into Rumbush Lane. Walk to the next road junction.

8. Turn sharp left into Dickens Heath Road and right immediately onto the footpath through the housing estate along Primrose Lane. Turn right along Meadow Pleck Lane, then follow Calcutt Way to Tythe Barn Lane.

9. Turn left into Tythe Barn Lane and then right by number 194 to rejoin the Canal at bridge 10.

10. Go down the steps and turn right along the towpath returning to The Drawbridge pub and Bridge 8 - Shirley Drawbridge.

Getting there

Parking: You can park at The Drawbridge pub car park, or at the nearby rail stations at Shirley or Whitlock's End.

Public transport: By rail to and from Shirley Station or Whitlock's End Station, both on the Birmingham to Stratford line. Bus route 69e stops at Shirley Station.