Birsol two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

The route goes from central Birmingham, past the markets, through Digbeth, onto the canal towpath all the way until Olton before pavements and suburban streets until Solihull station.

As this route is mostly canal towpath, the surface is smooth and well maintained. There are places to stop, eat or rest at either the start or end point. Digbeth in particular is full of a range of options. There are fewer rest points towards the middle of the route, but there is always the option to deviate from the route and into Tyseley or Small Heath if need be.

Starting outside New Street Station, passing by the market and the Bull Ring and then making your way past the art spaces, cafes pubs and entertainment places on Digbeth High Street you soon find yourself in the peace of the canalside at Bordesley. As you make your way south through Small Heath and Tyseley the canal becomes quieter. By the time you reach Acocks Green it's positively leafy. I actually felt sorry to leave the canal and join the Warwick Road at Olton. The section from there to Solihull is less enjoyable but at least does offer a few places to stop. Birsol one followed the canal further but at a cost of being far less direct. Birsol two is a good balance of direct and offroad. From a traffic point of view it's very safe although the final crossing by Solihull Station has no pedestrian crossing so needs to be taken with great care. There are numerous links to public transport from the bus routes at Digbeth, Small Heath and Olton and the railway stations at Small Heath, Tyseley, Acocks Green and Olton. Another great Birmingham Slow Way.

An enjoyable walk with an interesting mix of environments, Starting in the city centre The route quickly moves from city pavements and amenities to the quite leafy Grand Union Canal through the suburbs of Small Heath Tyseley and Acocks Green before heading off the canal to urban pavements at Olton (each of these named suburbs has a railway station if early exits from the route are needed). At the canal exit point there are some potentially useful cafes and shops. The next section goes for awhile along the quite busy A41(with frequent bus services) but it has wide and safe pavements and safe crossing places. Soon, the route heads off along much less busy side roads to Solihull station.

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