Hampton in Arden to Bull's Head, Barston

Dave and Sam Asbury

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This is a relaxing walk for anyone used to four-mile-plus walks. It's great for walking off Sunday dinner, or even building an appetite for dinner. It's just short enough to do on an evening – we last did it mid-August 2006, setting off at 7pm and as the photos show, at 8:45pm the light was fading...

The walk starts in the quiet village of Hampton in Arden, Solihull (near Birmingham and Coventry). A small pub, The White Lion, opposite the church at the start of the walk, serves food. Immediately the walk takes you into open and crop fields where the walking is easy-going. There is wildlife to be seen (we have seen a fox and bird of prey).

When you reach Barston, which is also a lovely small village, the well-maintained beer-garden at the Bull's Head is lovely on summer days and nights. Local beers are served and also country wines (in summer). The food is nice but be aware, service in general is not the fastest when busy. This pub won Solihull CAMRA pub of the year!

When you've finished, the walk takes you past crop fields and up quiet lanes, passing Barston Lake and Golf Club, which is a popular fishing-lake. Return to Hampton in Arden through more fields and meadows sometimes used for grazing livestock.

There are about 14 stiles and six kissing-gates on the walk. Stiles should prove no problem to dog owners.

The NEC and National Motorbike Museum are both within five miles off the A45. Also the centre of England is at Meriden (less than three miles away) where there is another large pub serving food, also called The Bull.

For caravans, but no tents, there is Somers Wood Campsite at Meriden: www.somerswood.co.uk

England - Central England - Warwickshire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Lake/Loch, Mostly Flat, Pub, Wildlife

3/26/2023 - Sarah Green

Lovely walk on a damp March lunchtime. All stiles replaced with gates making it an easier walk. Bit boggy after rain but paths all clearly marked. Stop off at the Bulls Head half way was most pleasant and muddy boots no problem.

11/12/2010 - Jan Holtham

A very pleasant walk with lots of birds on the lake. Look out for the old village pump as you go downhill through Barston, after the pub. It is tucked away on the left by the Barton Parish noticeboard.