We are the Sutton Coldfield Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Barbara T.
An easy walk of around 7.5 miles with gentle climbs at the beginning and end. The rest of the route is on flat, surfaced paths - mainly canal towpaths - through the Trent Valley, with no stiles and very little mud. Starting from the Punch Bowl car park, we walk on woodland paths, then join the Staffordshire Way through the Shugborough Estate, crossing the Essex Bridge to join the Trent & Mersey Canal towpath. Leaving the towpath at the next bridge, we walk from Little Haywood towards Great Haywood, before returning to the towpath and joining the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. We continue on it until reaching the 'Broad Water/Tixall Wide', with views of the Tixall Gatehouse (the only remains of the demolished Hall). We reach the road at Tixall Bridge, then head to Milford Common for our lunch stop. Following woodland tracks, we climb to the underground reservoirs, drop down to the main road and the entrance to the Punch Bowl car park.
PLEASE NOTE: if there is residual flooding at Little Haywood railway bridge, the diversion (via Colwich) will add about a mile to the route.
Guests please contact the walk leader if you would like to join this walk.
We are sorry, but only assistance dogs are permitted on our walks.
Meet at Wyndley 08:45 for car sharing. Directions to Punch Bowl car park. Take the A38 towards Lichfield, at the Bowling Green pub roundabout follow the A51 for 13.5 miles. At the Wolseley Arms double roundabout, take the first exit onto the A513. In 2.5 miles, turn left, into the car park. The second entrance to the car park (a few yards further on) has fewer potholes than the first. Please take care!
