09/06/18 - Barnt Green

Distance - 7 Miles
Geocaches - 2
Walk Inspiration - Walk 09, Spring 2018 Country Walking Magazine


This walk really demonstrates the strength of Country Walking Magazine.  Easy accessible, varied terrain and refreshments available.   A perfect little ramble.

The starting point is Barnt Green Station.  Arrive by train or park for £1.20 on a Saturday.  No sooner have you got your bearings than you are out in the country park and could be miles from anywhere.

Over the road from the Station

A gentle climb uphill on good tracks through woodland.  The only two caches of the day are easily found.

From the Visitors Centre, its over the road to pick up the North Worcestershire Path and the fields of Cofton Hackett.

Fields of Cofton Hackett

We are looking for the huge expanse of blue that is Upper Bittell Reservoir.  How can we lose something so big?  Eventually a gap in the trees shows that it has been drained and Internet research shows essential maintenance works were required.   Along with the Herculean effort of rescuing the fish.

The Boats are in the far distance - the water of Upper Bittell are long gone

The Worcester/Birmingham Canal provides the final change of terrain - easy walking back into Barnt Green for post walk entertainment.

Canal - Unexciting, but easy walking with no navigational errors

Only one choice for the post walk pint - Ron Atkinson's local - the Barnt Green Inn.  It's a gastropub with a surprising amount of history - dating from 1651 and reputedly hosting Queen Victoria for a night.

It's now all £12.95 sandwiches, outdoor softrock music pumped from external speakers onto expensive patio furniture and a surprisingly good Purity Ubu, suggesting the Cask Marque award is well deserved.

Purity Ubu in front of a Grade II listed Gastropub