Next walk: Yardley Wood to Earlswood Lakes, 8 June 2025

Posted on 19th May 2025 by Boot Women

Our June walk follows an easy and picturesque route along the canal down to Earlswood Lakes.

From the station, we walk over to Trittiford Mill Park and continue South along the River Cole until we reach the  Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. We follow the canal down to Earlswood Lakes where we will stop at the Red Lion pub for refreshments.

The route to the lakes is roughly 5 miles long. When we reach the lakes, we can make a little detour of a mile or so and follow the path around one of the lakes or continue straight to The Lakes station (about a mile from the pub) to catch the train back to Yardley Wood.

Those of you interested in a longer walk, can opt to walk back to Yardley Wood, along the same route.

This is a flat and easy walk in beautiful scenery.

There are no toilets at the stations, but we pass the Drawbridge Inn in Shirley about an hour into the walk and there is the later stop at the Red Lion.

It’s a nice walk for dogs but they will need to be on a lead for part of it.

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  – please bring cash, also for your mandatory £1 contribution to Boot Women’s admin costs.

Join us!

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Next walk: Woodgate Valley Country Park, 11 May 2025

Posted on 5th May 2025 by Boot Women

Our May walk will be a 7km route starting at Woodgate Valley Country Park.

The walk 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. 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. 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 are currently horses and cattle in some of the fields.

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  – please bring cash, also for your mandatory £1 contribution to Boot Women’s admin costs.

Join us!

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THIS WALK WILL NOW TAKE PLACE AT A LATER DATE

Posted on 1st May 2025 by Boot Women
Austey Wood near Henley-in-Arden

© Derek Charlton CC BY-SA 2.0 license

This month we’re going for an easy walk near Henley-in-Arden.

The walk starts from Henley-in-Arden Railway Station, which has both roadside and Pay and Display parking.

The walk takes us across mostly flat farmland with a few inclines. The first part of the walk incorporates a section of the Millenium Way.

Dogs are welcome but may need to be on lead most of the time because of livestock. There are some stiles that will need to be crossed. The walk is 5 ½ miles long.

Bring a packed lunch – and we can finish off with some of Henley’s famous ice cream!

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  – please bring cash, also for your mandatory £1 contribution to Boot Women’s admin costs.

Join us!

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Next walk: Codsall to Chillington, 13 April 2025

Posted on 21st March 2025 by Boot Women

© John M, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0

Our route for April is easy walking along quiet lanes, fields and woodland on level ground. Starting in Codsall, we will follow the Staffordshire way northwards before passing around Chillington Hall and its impressive parkland. 

We then follow an old trackway through woodland before returning to Codsall via Codsall Wood and the church of St Nicholas to end our 7-mile walk.

Please remember to bring a packed lunch and something to sit on.

Well behaved dogs are also welcome but must be kept on a lead.

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: Kinver, 9 March 2025

Posted on 16th February 2025 by Boot Women

Our March walk starts in the quaint village of Kinver.

We will first head through a park area and start walking along the beautiful Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. Heading towards the Stewpony we will encounter lots of wonderful wildlife and hopefully some early spring shoots.

We will then head off the canal towards Enville, making our way through woodland and farmland. We can then have a quick break at The Cat inn or Archie’s attic coffee shop in Enville.

We will then continue our walk past Enville cricket club and through picturesque countryside back towards Kinver.

The walk will have mixed terrain of tow paths, roads and muddy farm paths, so boots are required. Bring plenty of snacks and water for the long walk. And be dressed appropriately for the weather.

Please remember to bring a packed lunch 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: Smethwick, 9 Feb 2025

Posted on 23rd January 2025 by Boot Women

© Oosoom, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0

Our February walk is a flat and easy 5-mile route in Smethwick.
This walk offers:

  • 2 world famous Smethwick brands.
  • 4 Blue Plaques.
  • 2 parks.
  • 1 World Sporting Venue.
  • 1 link to 1960s World Political Civil Rights History.
  • 2 tales of Canalside history past and present
  • – and some great graffiti art.

The route might be muddy in places so wear appropriate shoes.
This walk is suitable for dogs but they will need to be on a lead.
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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January walk: Tettenhall, 12/01/2025

Posted on 18th December 2024 by Boot Women

© Geoff Pick, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Our first walk in the new year will be an easy four-mile route around the picturesque village of Tettenhall, which is situated on the edge of Wolverhampton.

We will start from the clock tower on Upper Green and follow the history trail around the village itself. We then head a little further out to the countryside before making our way back to the Dog and Gun public house for refreshments.
From there it is a short walk back to the start of the walk.

If you are travelling by public transport, the number 1 bus takes you from Wolverhampton City Centre to close to our starting point.

Please remember to bring a packed lunch and something to sit on.

The walk is suitable for dogs, but they will need to be on a lead.

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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Birmingham Canals and Christmas Market, 22 Dec 2024

Posted on 24th November 2024 by Boot Women

Our December walk has been postponed to 22 Dec.

The route takes us round some of the canals in Birmingham City Centre and out towards Winson Green on the Soho Loop. We finish back at Brindley Place from where it is only a short walk to the German Christmas Market in Victoria Square.

The route is just under five miles long and flat and easy throughout. No walking boots needed, but the towpaths may be a bit slippery so please wear suitable shoes.

There is a nice spot for lunch if we want to take a break, alternatively we could just have a quick drinks stop and eat at the market.

Please remember to bring a packed lunch and something to sit on.

The walk is suitable for dogs, but they will need to be on a leash for most of it.

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: Aston to Erdington, 10 Nov 2024

Posted on 19th October 2024 by Boot Women

Our November walk is an urban route, but with a countryside feel, and lovely at this time of year.

We will walk over to Erdington from Aston, passing Brookvale Park Lake and the Witton Lakes on the way.

Please note that this is not a circular walk and is best accessed on public transport.

We will start our walk in Aston, setting off along the canal. We walk towards Spaghetti Junction, one of Birmingham’s major landmarks and an impressive feat of modern engineering.

We then continue along the canal for a bit longer and finally leave it to walk over to Brookvale Park Lake. The end of the lake almost borders onto the beautiful Witton Lakes where we will stop to have lunch on some of the benches.

Suitably refreshed, we will continue over Perry Common and on to Erdington. Our walk concludes at the station.

This is a pleasant, well-paved and mostly flat route of 8km length. No need for walking boots but you should wear sturdy shoes. Most of the route is lovely and green, and particularly beautiful in the autumn.

From the end of the walk, there are trains and buses back to Birmingham City Centre.

Please remember to bring a packed lunch.

The walk is suitable for dogs, but they will need to be on a leash for most of it.

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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Join the Boot Women Organising Team!

Posted on 19th October 2024 by Boot Women

Boot Women has a long history that spans more than three decades. It is extremely rewarding to see that, in a much changed LGBTQ landscape, Boot Women still has its place.

We are determined to build on our success and keep the group going – and maybe make it to another thirty years! However, we need rejuvenating support to be able to continue.

The current organising team consists of a number of women who have been actively involved for many years. None of us are getting any younger and some of us would like a bit of a break.

We are therefore asking for expressions of interest to join us. It is not a big job. In return for investing a bit of your time you get to hang out with a lovely bunch of people at the infrequent planning meetings.

If you have a bit of time to spare and are interested in joining the organising team, please get in touch.

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