Kings Norton Trail

This is a review of a local walk around Kings Norton that i frequently do with my dog. It takes about 50 minutes but im a slow walker and my dog has to sniff at, or wee on everything, so takes longer than it would do if you were just walking normally!

I start at the car park on Kings Norton playing fields but there is a link to a map here which shows many other routes you can take as well.

(http://www.riverreatrail.org.uk/images/stories/Kings%20Norton%20Trail.pdf).

There is a website which gives you many historical details of the area e.g did you know that Kings Norton railway station was the inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine?? No, neither did i!!

http://www.riverreatrail.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=108

Sometime ago I actually bought a pamphlet called Kings Norton Trail One - Canals, Roads, Rivers and Railways which cost me £1 from Mollys Cafe on The Green. Im not sure if the local shops still sell these but if they do then id go and grab one as the map, info and photos are well worth £1.

So starting from the car park there is a paved path which leads directly across the field to a little foot bridge (Lint Brook Bridge) which goes over a brook. Head across the bridge and stay on the footpath, this brings you out at Junction House which was built in 1796 as the tollhouse for the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal. Junction Bridge is a beautiful brick bridge in front of you - cross over it.

You are now walking down the side of the Stratford-Upon-Avon canal. Its incredibly quiet - ive just walked it on a Tuesday afternoon in June and all i saw was a couple of narrowboats and some geese with their baby goslings! You go through Guillotine Lock and carry on past an abandoned factory building before turning left into Tunnel lane. There is a signpost here pointing towards Canon Hill Park.

As you walk down this part of the walk, if you havent already id put your dog on the lead. Its more industrial here and there is the chance of seeing some traffic. On the left is Speciality Minerals Ltd which has a tall kiln tower. As you walk down this lane you come out at Lifford Reservoir on your right, there are usually a number of fishermen around the lake. Keep the reservoir on your right and then follow the road away from it, with your back to it - Kings Norton tip is on your right (lovely!) and the lovely Lifford Hall is on your left (this used to be a medieval mill but is now offices). You then come out onto Lifford Lane - be careful here as it can be busy. Turn right onto Lifford lane, cross over the road. Go over the canal bridge and then turn lef tontot he towpath (signposted for Kings Norton). Follow this down and you will come out at Junction House leaving you just to turn right and head back to the car park.

I love this walk. Its long enough to give my dog a good walk to tire him out (he is getting on a bit!) but isnt too far for me with my general levels of unfitness and dodgy back! The paths are pretty good although the canal towpath at the side of the Stratford Upon Avon Canal can get a bit muddy in winter.

The walk loses a star as there are NO bins for dog poop on the walk.

Ive also done various other parts of the walk shown on the website above and have to say that i love walking around my little area of Birmingham and getting to know the local history!