Connect Longbridge with Slow Ways

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Longbridge

West Midlands


Slow Ways linking Longbridge and Alvechurch, Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Catshill, Halesowen, Romsley, Wythall

England / West Midlands / Longbridge

Longbridge’s seven Slow Ways are 75% checked

Drawn: 7/7
reviewed: 7/7
verified: 5/7
and surveyed: 2/7

Help connect Longbridge

Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.

Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.

Give a hike and help get a for every one of Longbridge’s Slow Ways.

Walk to Longbridge from further afield

Slow Way Route To do
Bromsgrove—Longbridge
Brolon one Survey me Distance 12km/7mi Ascent 168m Descent 247m
Catshill—Longbridge
Catlon one Pioneer me Distance 10km/6mi Ascent 167m Descent 215m
Catshill—Longbridge
Catlon two Enjoy me Distance 9km/5mi Ascent - Descent -
Halesowen—Longbridge
Hallon one

Double check Distance 11km/7mi Ascent 183m Descent 145m
Halesowen—Longbridge
Hallon two

Survey me Distance 11km/7mi Ascent 230m Descent 189m
Longbridge—Alvechurch
Lonalv one Enjoy me Distance 8km/5mi Ascent 38m Descent 90m
Longbridge—Birmingham
Lonbir one

Double check Distance 15km/10mi Ascent 122m Descent 78m
Longbridge—Birmingham
Lonbir two Survey me Distance 15km/9mi Ascent 197m Descent 160m
Longbridge—Birmingham
Lonbir three Survey me Distance 15km/9mi Ascent 198m Descent 146m
Longbridge—Birmingham
Lonbir four Survey me Distance 12km/7mi Ascent 88m Descent 140m
Longbridge—Wythall
Lonwyt one

Review me Distance 11km/7mi Ascent 105m Descent 122m
Longbridge—Wythall
Lonwyt two Review me Distance 10km/6mi Ascent - Descent -
Romsley—Longbridge
Romlon one

Review me Distance 7km/5mi Ascent 108m Descent 57m
Romsley—Longbridge
Romlon two Review me Distance 7km/4mi Ascent 145m Descent 98m

Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?

If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Longbridge and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?

This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!

Collective progress

68% of Longbridge’s seven route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified

14/14

drawn

13/14

reviewed

4/14

surveyed

7/14

verified

20 people have contributed to Longbridge’s Slow Ways

1 people have pledged to walk and review a route

4 people have surveyed a route in Longbridge

142km out of 152km have been walked and reviewed

463km of reviews have been shared in Longbridge

Latest Updates

The fields west of the reservoir were either a muddy quagmire, or ankle high grass, so I was v wet and muddy when I finished....

Kristian Brock

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David Sanderson took this photo on Lonwyt two

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Varied, safe, direct and enjoyable walk which mainly follows the North Worcestershire Path....

David Sanderson

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Longbridge—Wythall

David Sanderson added Lonwyt two, a new walk from Longbridge to Wythall

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David Sanderson took this photo on Lonwyt one

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It continues to follow the North Worcestershire Path when it makes far more more sense to follow the pavement of the main road (past a pub, shops and access to public transport....

David Sanderson

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Hugh Hudson surveyed Catlon two

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Good facilities, loo and cafe half way at Lickey Hills plus lots more along the way. A short section of road passes a cafe plus other facilities then a climb into the Lickey Hills and the Visitor Centre which has all facilities including outdoor table tennis....

Ken

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David Sanderson took this photo on Catlon two

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Shops and stops sprinkled throughout the route, including the Lickey Hills Country Park Visitors Centre, which is the highlight of the walk (the park that is)....

David Sanderson

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A little further on we take the sharp right turn onto the path that leads to Lickey Square, and from there we follow pavements into Catshill and the meeting point at the war memorial (the bench was inaccessible yesterday due to road works....

Hugh Hudson

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Catshill—Longbridge

David Sanderson added Catlon two, a new walk from Catshill to Longbridge

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A lovely walk, after a short section through the city centre the route is almost entirely off road following the Rea Valley route all the way to Longbridge, this does mean there's not many places to get refreshments after the MAC in Cannon Hill park, the middle of the route in Stirchley and then the end. The route is almost entirely very flat and with a good paved surface, there are however a couple of bridges over the canal in the second half towards Longbridge which have steps and steep slopes to be aware of. As the route goes into Stirchley you go past a Morrisons and several cafes and shops, however if you don't need to stop off I'd recommend just staying on the Rea Valley route, it joins up with the canal and the route shortly afterwards....

Eve

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This route has very little to recommend it.Flytipping overgrown paths busy roads to try and cross.Reasonably direct it passes a few points of interest(Walked 5th Feb 2022)...

J w ollid

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A very challenging walk!...

Saira

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A very pleasant walk, if a bit too urban at the start and finish, but that can be avoided with careful parking. Not being locals it was good to find pastoral country so close to the main conurbation. well recommended....

Ian Macqueen

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There is a turning to the right and you soon pick up a cycle path which joins the Rea Valley Way as far as Frankley, where there are the last shops until you get to Romsley. Having left the Rea Valley Way, the route then joins the route of an old railway. The countryside is gentle, the paths pretty easy to follow and you soon see the hill you have to climb to get to Romsley....

David Sanderson

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David Sanderson took this photo on Romlon two

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Romsley—Longbridge

David Sanderson added Romlon two, a new walk from Romsley to Longbridge

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But at SO 9825 7885 in a stretch of old railway you are directed straight ahead when you should be directed to take the steps to the side of the cutting....

David Sanderson

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David Sanderson took this photo on Romlon one

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We encountered considerable obstacles ranging from brambles, broken bridges, blocked paths, and very busy road crossings on this route. Although we managed to complete it, I cannot recommend Hanlon One as a good example of a Slow Ways route....

Lynn Jackson

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We took a small diversion towards Illey House Farm where the OS marked path didn’t seem to exist. From Illey to Illey Hall Farm there is a (mostly) well marked diversion sightly to the east of the OS marked footpath, starting with a fence stile without its step, and ending with an excellent new double stile....

Mary Oz

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The route left Longbridge through a landscaped area, under the main road, and along a paved dual carriageway. Then it followed a cycle track, and passed through some housing, all pleasant enough until the entrance to the fields was reached, which was blighted by fly-tipping....

Mary Oz

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Halesowen—Longbridge

David Sanderson added Hallon two, a new walk from Halesowen to Longbridge

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1 At SO9783 8105 we followed the path as the right of way is marked, only to find it impossible to follow (dense tree growth blocked the way). Retracing our steps we discovered that the actual path follows a slightly different route as you can see from the first picture....

David Sanderson

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David Sanderson took this photo on Hallon one

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There was quite a lot about the area that was gorgeous, and Hallon two is a perfectly good route....

mtormey

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This walk starts well with open paths through a new development on the old Austin car site. Safe passage under the busy road and perhaps a walk up the Rea when development is finished but for now it's alongside the noisy dual carriageway. A short section of cycle route, then a scramble across a ditch before a labyrinth of paths between houses through New Frankley, frankly not an easy route to follow. After passing under the M5 along a short section of road the route heads towards the border into Dudley Metropolitan Borough where new issues raise their head with paths not quite where they are marked on the map....

Ken

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The footpath through residential neighbourhoods is actually quite nice and pleasant, but the final bit just before the countryside opens up was overgrown and there was a big pile of fly-tipped trash to navigate through as well!...

mtormey

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The first section through Longbridge is easy to follow, is well served for shops and eateries but has a short section where it follows the pavement of the busy A38, which might not be to everyone's taste. There is a climb, not an arduous one through fields up to the top of Frankley Hill which affords some good views looking back across the area. Having crossed a stile onto the pavement of the very busy A456, you follow it to a mini roundabout and then cross the two roads at the "suggested" crossings....

David Sanderson

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David Sanderson took this photo on Hallon two

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Some issues have now been investigated by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, see details below. After passing under the M5 along a short section of road the route heads towards the border into Dudley Metropolitan Borough where new issues raise their head with paths not quite where they are marked on the map so follow the plot not the OS map. Follow up from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council see maps in pictures. Footpath H97 at Bartley Green Football Club, the land occupier assumed that the path had been diverted when the footpball pitch was laid out. Currently the correct line shown red on the map is unavailable an available route follows the green line. Here the route shown green offers a safe bridge....

Ken

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Minor deviations from the definitive / plotted route but easy to follow. I could see no purpose in the road route around the retail park so transferred to Slow Way Hallon and continued along the cycle route to Longbridge station....

Ken

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The route past the theatres and then through Chinatown and the Gay Village bustles nicely and constrasts with the quiet walk (once you've left Sherlock Street) on the road to Highgate. Beyond there is a short walk past the park and through the terraced streets of Balsall Heath before passing Edgbaston Cricket Ground. The route leaves the Rea for a section along Pershore Road, which might not be the nicest in terms of how busy the traffic is, but it offers a truly impressive array of cafes, pubs and independent shops. The Pershore Road section is not that far, as you leave it to join the canal at Bournville Railway Station....

David Sanderson

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I agree with other reviewers, there are some lovely cafes in Stirchley, but I feel the walk along the river justifies bypassing those....

elspinor

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I'd personally recommend sticking to the route of Lonbir 2 through Stirchley as the river route is much nicer than Pershore Road, but I understand the detour of Lonbir 3 is useful for some to access Bourneville Station or Stirchley refreshments (some lovely cafes available!)....

elspinor

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Splendid route along the river Rea, with a slight detour up the Worcester and Birmingham Canal to Bournville. The route begins in Birmingham by passing through the China Town area where there are nice restaurants (cash only), which would make a good destination if you are walking this route from Longbridge. I wasn't aware that Birmingham is on a river until I walked this route - there is some information along the way about Birmingham being founded on the river Rea. Back on the route, from Bournville station it goes on the canal tow path to Kings Norton, where it meets the River Rea again, which it will follow all the way to Longbridge....

Jane Taylor

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Route line could be more accurately drawn: where it goes into/comes out of Cofton Park and crosses Groveley Lane. From Bromsgrove direction the route is best if it crosses straight from Chestnut Drive into Cofton Park, there is a little gap in the woods visible (penultimate photo). BUT on no account should this be tried if you are coming from Longbridge as its on a blind bend - come out of Cofton Park earlier and cross where its safe (I came up through the woods behind the bus stop, that seemed to work (last photo is of bus stop from the front))....

Jane Taylor

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The first section follows the pavement of the main road and although quite dull, and seemingly heading east when you need to head south, it is very safe and does actually connect well with the footpaths that propel you south across the fields into Worcestershire. This section is a lane with no pavement and requires care to follow. Instead the route directed me into Old Birmingham Road, a lane with no pavement in order to reach a couple of dark footpaths to take me through the underpass....

David Sanderson

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David Sanderson took this photo on Lonalv one

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Good route, pleasant, direct and largely away from busy roads. At Selly Oak the route leaves the canal and this is probably the easiest place to have a refreshment stop if you don't want to stray too far from the route, although I didn't find it very inspiring....

Jane Taylor

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Overall a good walk if you live in the birmingham area or even if you live in Lyon it is worth it to come over (although I am not sure if you can rn lol!)....

Theobeyeroflife

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Fairly easy to follow as much of it follows the North Worcestershire Path and is signposted....

ljp123

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Olton and District u3a surveyed Lonalv one

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Lack of signage or visible paths over Cofton Common down to road approaching Upper Bittell Reservoir call for good map reading skills and use of a suitable app. Narrow, overgrown path after buildings north of Cofton Richards Farm could easily be missed....

Olton and District u3a

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Olton and District u3a took this photo on Lonalv one

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Starting outside Longbridge Railway Station, this route cuts down the side and soon soon picks up the route of the River Rea. Just by Northfield Station it cuts away from the river and heads through residential streets....

David Sanderson

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At this point in Highgate there is a map draughting error which shows the route passing across the river and through industrial buildings whereas it should follow the Sustrans route 5 to the end of Gooch Street and then into Horton Square to cross the Middleway. From this point running south to Edgbaston Cricket Ground again there are map draughting errors which run the route haphazardly across land alongside the River Rea whereas it should continue to follow the signposted Sustrans route 5. Further south an error shows the route on the wrong side of the river whereas it should continue to follow Sustrans route 5. Again there are some draughting errors which place the route incorrectly and it should continue to follow Sustrans route 5....

ChrisR

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Longbridge—Birmingham

David Sanderson added Lonbir three, a new walk from Longbridge to Birmingham

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Longbridge—Birmingham

David Sanderson added Lonbir four, a new walk from Longbridge to Birmingham

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A series of parks and the occasional residential street make for a friendly walk. The rest of the journey is direct and involves some pavement pounding up Gooch Street, Sherlock Street (traffic can be quite busy along here) and then up Hurst Street where the Gay VIllage and Chinatown offer numerous restaurants, cafes, bars and supermarkets in the last 500 metres before reaching the meeting point at New Street....

David Sanderson

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David Sanderson took this photo on Lonbir two

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This route needs amending as the section from the River Rea across to Pershore Rad, Stirchley is closed by a construction site blocking Hazelwell Lane....

Dave4

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It's a little lacking in refreshment stops until Cannon Hill Park where there is a cafe on the route ( there is a bigger cafe/restaurant at the Midlands Arts Centre [MAC] if you traverse the park on the other side of the lake or, if you divert onto the `Pershore Road at Stirchley, there is a lot of cafes, shops, pubs etc. An enjoyable walk....

Dave4

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I was supposed to cross the bridge at SP 0291 7887 but instead the route continued on the north bank and then suggested that somehow I got across to SP 0334 7894 where there was no crossing. At Bournville Railway Station the plotting of how to leave the canal was not clear and the route has you walking on the railway prior to leaving the canal. In its favour the route then takes you past a number of cafes and a pub in Stirchley but then the route is supposed to go down Hazelwell Lane which has been shut for some time (I recall walking past this more than a year ago) in order to build new houses (see the first and third photos)....

David Sanderson

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David Sanderson took this photo on Lonbir one

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The route was easy to follow except that you need to pay attention at two points - firstly, where the footpath crosses Burcott Lane the steps down to the road are easily m missed and secondly, after passing Cofton Lake and joining the road, the footpath is pretty well directly opposite. A very pleasant walk....

Dave4

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The first section was very easy to follow through quiet residential streets and then a footpath delivered us to the edge of town. The roads at the edge of Barnt Green are quiet and some of the route goes via Billy Lane. At the other end of Barnt Green we passed a picnic area which was a good spot for lunch. The route is very straight from there and emerges near a shopping centre over the road from Longbridge Railway Station....

David Sanderson

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David Sanderson took this photo on Brolon one

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Longbridge—Birmingham

pddys added Lonbir two, a new walk from Longbridge to Birmingham

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Caleb Wilton surveyed Lonbir one

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NB there is a short stretch on Bittell Road with no footpath where prudence is required....

dennis

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Longbridge

dennis surveyed Longbridge

View facilities
Longbridge—Alvechurch

Eric Forgan added Lonalv one, a new walk from Longbridge to Alvechurch

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Bromsgrove—Longbridge

Slow Ways added Brolon one, a new walk from Bromsgrove to Longbridge

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Catshill—Longbridge

Slow Ways added Catlon one, a new walk from Catshill to Longbridge

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Halesowen—Longbridge

Slow Ways added Hallon one, a new walk from Halesowen to Longbridge

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Longbridge—Birmingham

Slow Ways added Lonbir one, a new walk from Longbridge to Birmingham

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Longbridge—Wythall

Slow Ways added Lonwyt one, a new walk from Longbridge to Wythall

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Romsley—Longbridge

Slow Ways added Romlon one, a new walk from Romsley to Longbridge

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1

Longbridge, Fri 29 March

12°

Light rain shower

Longbridge’s Slow Ways starting point

Grid ref

SP0138577573

Lat / Lon

52.39619° / -1.98106°

Easting / Northing

401,385E / 277,573N

Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?

If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Longbridge and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?

This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!

Facilities

Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Longbridge's meeting point

Public toilet

Wheelchair accessible toilet

Supermarket or convenience shop

Restaurant, cafe or pub

Accommodation

Accommodation for under £50 a night

Campsite

Bothy

Free wifi

Mobility scooter hire

Off-road wheelchair hire

Disabled Parking

Train station

Bus stop

Ferry

Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town

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