Urban Ramble: Brindley Place Breakfast and Walk to Sutton

Another in our series of lovely walks through urban and green spaces of the West Midlands using the Greenways Map. This time we're walking one way, which makes for a more interesting walk, but means using the train to get back to the start*.

We meet at The Pitcher and Piano pub. It's on the side of the Canal at Brindley Place where we will have Spice tables reserved for breakfast/ brunch or just a drink (pay for whatever you want on the day) but we then work off the calories with an unusual walk. We will start our walk once everyone is ready.

It’s 9 miles, but this is easy, flat walking and we will take it very easy. There is lots to see in a slice through the city that combines both industrial heritage and lovely nature reserves!

From the pub we join the canal by the NIA. We follow the towpath (Cycle route 6) along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal following the atmospheric Farmers Bridge series of locks below the Post Office Tower. We then turn off heading for Spaghetti Junction which we pause underneath to marvel at how this major structure joins 18 road routes whilst accommodating two railway lines, three canals, and two rivers! After Spaghetti Junction we continue along the canal as far as Berwood Bridge where we turn off to continue our journey through the linked green spaces of Sorrel Park, Pype Hayes Park, Walmley Golf Club and Newhall Valley Country Park towards Sutton Park. For this part of the journey we are using Sustrans Route 534. This is a delightful route and sets a high benchmark for all the city Greenway routes. 

Back in Sutton we can get the train back to the Birmingham, although car drivers might find it easier to park at Sutton Station (free to train users) in the morning and start the day by taking the train to Birmingham instead - it's up to you!

Note: Richard will be leaving his car at Sutton Coldfield Station and catching the 10.11 train to Birmingham. Meet him there if you want to travel in together, otherwise we'll see you in the pub.