Getting There
Leave the M42 at Junction 6 and take the A45 signed Birmingham, Birmingham Airport, Birmingham International Station, Northbound 1st exit, Southbound 4th exit.
Stay in the left hand lane for Solihull and Hampton, Bickenhill and Catherine-de-Barnes and maintain direction as the road bears round to the right.
At the roundabout turn left towards Solihull, Hampton and Bickenhill. You are now on Catherine-de-Barnes Lane (B4438).
Turn left at the signpost for Bickenhill (Village Only) onto St Peter's Lane.
Take the first left up Church Lane (No Through Road) and park on the verge outside St Peter's Church.
Return to M42 Junction 6
Turn right from Church Lane, and at the T-junction turn right onto the B4438. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A45, signed M42, Coventry to quickly reach the M42.
Bickenhill Circular
Take the Public Footpath opposite the entrance to the church, walking past a stile with the hedgerow to your left. The path bears round to the right and quickly comes out onto a lane (with traffic). Turn left up the lane and follow it round to the right at the telephone box. Head slightly downhill, round a couple of bends and stables on your right, look out for a house on the left called Goldenacres. Take the public footpath opposite the house, over the stile and bearing to the right down a narrow hedged path. Fairly promptly climb the next stile onto the B4438 – expect village traffic here.
Cross the road, and over the stile slightly to your right, to continue on the public footpath. From this point, you get an excellent view of the runway of Birmingham International Airport. During this part of the walk you'll get a worm's eye view of aircraft taking off and landing, and at times it's hard not to duck! Walk along the footpath with the hedge on your left.
As you reach the lip of a hill, aim towards a stile in the corner of the hedgerow ahead. Climb this stile to follow the path on the other side. Pass through the gap in the hedge ahead, and over a concrete bridge and follow the path ahead so that you go through the left one of the two gaps in the hedge (where the path is clearest). Walk along with hedgerow intermittently on your right. Ahead you'll be able to see a gatepost with another arrow on it. Go through the gap in the hedge and into a field. Keep heading straight on towards the farm visible ahead of you through the middle of the field.
As you approach the grey building, there is a track on the other side of the wire fence, which does have traffic from time to time. Join the track and turn right away from the farm. Walk down to reach a point where the track bends hard to the left, and just before this bend look closely to your right for a path and a stile ahead with yellow arrows. Turn right here, going past a dilapidated building to climb over the stile and walk straight on. You should see Bickenhill Church ahead of you. Keep on the path to the right of the field, and to the left you get a fine view of Birmingham International Airport.
The hedgerow on the left becomes gradually stronger and you just keep going straight on, following the footpath as it bends to the right and over a plank bridge. Then follow the yellow arrow to the left and over a stile. There will be a stream on your right. The path then takes you over a wooden bridge with a railing on your right. The ground opens out and you can now follow a very clear track which might be used by farm vehicles.
When the path forks, take the right fork, and look out for traffic on the road ahead. Pass a rugby ground on your left. The track bears left and at the other side of the green post you will come to the road again, so dogs on leads. When you get to the main road, cross and go over the stile by the metal gate and walk up to the white gate at the far end. Pass the gate and up to a wooden gate not far ahead. Climb the stile by the gate to a narrow lane. Turn right here, and then first left up Church Lane to your car.
Facilities
None in Bickenhill.
The Boat Inn in nearby Catherine-de-Barnes, (222 Hampton Lane, Catherine-de-Barnes, Solihull, West Midlands B91 2TJ) is a reliable Chef & Brewer establishment with a decent menu and plenty of outdoor seating. Dogs not allowed inside.
Useful Links
Bickenhill
For more info about the village
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