CANCELLED: Next walk: Woodgate Valley Country Park (8 Sept 2024)

Posted on 30th August 2024 by Boot Women

APOLOGIES: THIS WALK IS CANCELLED!

Our September walk starts from Woodgate Valley Country Park and takes us through fields, over the Lapal Canal Tunnel, past a 13th-century ruined abbey and down green lanes through an ancient woodland. It’s a lovely, varied route and approximately 7km long. The walk feels quite rural despite the distant hum of the M5.

The walking is generally moderate with a few gentle inclines. There are a lot of stiles – mostly easy ones, with a few that are a bit more challenging. At the beginning and end of the walk, there are a few minutes of road walking.
Off road, the ground is dry throughout at the moment so no need for boots but the path is quite uneven in parts so please wear appropriate walking shoes.

About 2/3 of the way round, we will stop at the Black Horse pub in Illey for drinks, coffees and/or toilets.

The walk is suitable for dogs on leads who can navigate the many stiles – please be aware that there will likely be horses in some of the fields.

Departure will be at 11 am sharp.

Contact us for details on how to go to the start of the walk.
We are still collecting for Women’s Aid, and optional donations of 1£ (or more) will be welcome.

Join us!

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Next walk: Solihull, 11 August 2024

Posted on 3rd August 2024 by Boot Women

Our August walk starts at Solihull Station. Because of the Marathon, it is strongly advised to travel by train to the start of the walk although paid parking will be available in Solihull town centre at Park Mark Car Park.
The walk will go through the town to Brueton Park. We will then visit Tudor Grange Park. On our way back we will stop at Beech House pub for drinks and snacks – but it could be busy because of the Marathon.
The walk will take at least 1.5 hrs. Please wear comfortable shoes.
The weather should be perfect for an exciting and adventurous walk!

Well-behaved dogs are also welcome.

Contact us for details on how to go to the start of the walk.

We are still collecting for Women’s Aid, and optional donations of 1£ (or more) will be welcome.

Join us!

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Next walk: Wombourne to Compton, 14 July 2024

Posted on 17th June 2024 by Boot Women

created by dji camera

The July walk is a 9 mile-long pleasant trail that starts at the old Wombourne station  and follows the disused railway line to Compton, which closed in 1965.
The trail is popular with walkers, cyclists and runners so can be busy.
The route has a combination of surfaced paths with some rough sections that can be very muddy so appropriate footwear is advised.
At Compton, we will take a break at the local pub before heading back along the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal to the famous Bratch locks, built by James Brindley in 1772.
Leaving the locks, we follow the road back up to the car park but not before we take a look at the pumping station built to look like fairytale castle.

Please remember to bring some lunch / drinks and something to sit on.

Well-behaved dogs are also welcome.

Contact us for details on how to go to the start of the walk.

We are still collecting for Women’s Aid, and optional donations of 1£ (or more) will be welcome.

Join us!

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Next walk: Shire Country Park, 12 May

Posted on 18th April 2024 by Boot Women

The Shire Country Park is a local nature reserve along the River Cole Valley, with a mixture of wetlands, grasslands, woodland and heath. The park was named to honour the life and work of J.R.R. Tolkien who lived within its borders as a young child. Tolkien’s childhood adventures in the park are said to have inspired some of his later works.

Our 5 km circular walk starts at Sarehole Mill, an eighteenth century watermill. The walking is generally easy and there are no stiles.

As on all of our walks we will stop for a break so bring something to eat and drink.  Dogs are welcome but may need to be kept on a lead.

Sections of the walk may be muddy so wear appropriate shoes or boots!

Contact us for details on how to go to the start of the walk.

We are still collecting for Women’s Aid, and optional donations of 1£ (or more) will be welcome.

Join us!

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Next walk: Castle Ring, 14 April

Posted on 30th March 2024 by Boot Women

Our April walk is an 8 mile figure of eight loop, taking in Hednesford Hills and Castle Ring.

There are a few inclines and some sections may still be muddy, so appropriate footwear is essential.  Well behaved dogs are welcome, but there is a section where they will need to be on the lead.

Please remember to bring some lunch / drinks and something to sit on.

Contact us for details on how to go to the start of the walk.

We are still collecting for Women’s Aid, and optional donations of 1£ (or more) will be welcome.

Join us!

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Visit to Boscobel House, 10 March 2024

Posted on 18th February 2024 by Boot Women

Over the years, many of our walks have crossed onto the path known as the Monarch’s Way. It is Britain’s second longest trail at 625 miles long. The route follows the journey of King Charles ll from Worcester to Shoreham on Sea and takes in some of the places he hid during that time. Boscobel House is one of them.

A former hunting lodge where the king took refuge following his defeat at the battle of Worcester in 1651. The house and gardens, now fully restored, share the secrets and stories of Charles’s escape from Cromwell’s soldiers and his eventual fleeing to France.

A short stroll from the house and gardens  you can see a descendant of the oak tree in which the king hid for a day.

We will tour the house, gardens and visit the oak tree and then take a break at the tearooms before walking down to the priory. The ruins of the 12th century priory, where the king stayed disguised as a woodsman are approx. half a mile from Boscobel house.

If you would like to join us on our visit to Boscobel House, you will need to book a ticket online.

Please note that 10 March is Mother’s Day.

We are still collecting for Women’s Aid, and optional donations of 1£ (or more) will be welcome.

Contact us for details on where and when to meet us.

Join us!

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Next walk: Baggeridge Country Park to Himley Hall, 11 February 2024

Posted on 21st January 2024 by Boot Women

Smooth paths and gentle grades make this a relaxing walk. On leaving our starting point, we cross a field into the woodland following a clear and well maintained path.

We will pass a number of pools which are a linked chain of different shapes and sizes, allowed to grow naturally and teeming with wildlife.  At the final pool, Himley Hall will come into view. Passing the Hall, we will complete a circuit of the great pool before heading back to the cafe and toilets where we will take our lunch break.

Retracing the route back to the car park will complete our 4.5 mile walk.

Contact us for details on how to go to the start of the walk.

We are still collecting for Women’s Aid, and optional donations of 1£ (or more) will be welcome.

The walk is suitable for well-behaved dogs.

Join us!

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Next walk: Walsall, 14 January 2024

Posted on 30th December 2023 by Boot Women

Our first walk of 2024 starts at Walsall Arboretum. It’s a 5 mile route, including fields, woods, Park Lime Pits Nature Reserve, the Rushall Canal and the arboretum itself. It’s generally easy walking; there are a couple of stiles. There is a short stretch of road walking at the beginning of the walk.

Park Lime Pits can be muddy so make sure you come in appropriate footwear.

We’ll stop about halfway for a break at the historic Manor Arms pub, one of the very few pubs in the country with no bar counter. It is a three-room canal-side establishment, opened as a beerhouse in 1895 within an 18th-century building. The Manor Arms is currently not doing food, so make sure you bring your packed lunch! There is a pub garden for those who prefer to stay outside.

The arboretum itself dates back to the late 19th century, with over 10,000 different species of trees and shrubs.

Contact us for details on how to go to the start of the walk.

We are still collecting for Women’s Aid, and optional donations of 1£ (or more) will be welcome.

Well-behaved dogs are also welcome.

Join us and keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

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Next walk: Birmingham Canals and Christmas Market, 10 Dec 2023

Posted on 19th November 2023 by Boot Women

Our final walk of the year will be a relaxing 2-3 mile exploration of the canals around Birmingham city centre. A visit to the Christmas Market on Victoria Square will conclude our walk.
Towpaths might be a bit slippery so please ensure you wear appropriate footwear.
Please note that this walk is not suitable for dogs.

Contact us for details on how to go to the start of the walk.

We are still collecting for Women’s Aid, and optional donations of 1£ (or more) will be welcome.

Join us!

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Next walk: Chasewater, 12 Nov 2023

Posted on 1st November 2023 by Boot Women

Join us in November for an autumnal Chasewater stroll.

The route is an easy flat 3-6 miles through a reclaimed historic mining landscape. Depending on weather conditions and how we feel on the day we can opt for the shorter or the longer version. The path is mainly dry but there could be a muddy stretch so please wear appropriate footwear.

This is the walk that has it all: Heathland and water, wildlife and birds, 2 cafés, crazy golf if you fancy it, a heritage railway, sailing and water-skiing and even the chance to see real life deer up close!

Please remember to bring some lunch / drinks and something to sit on.

Well-behaved dogs are also welcome.

Contact us for details on how to go to the start of the walk.

We are still collecting for Women’s Aid, and optional donations of 1£ (or more) will be welcome.

Join us!

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