Celebration Weekend 2018: Barnt Green Bimble - Sunday Walk
13 people attending
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This event is part of the AGM Celebration Weekend 2018 and more events will be added soon!
Sandwiched between the urban sprawl of the city and the suburban haven (and internationally-acclaimed roundabout collection) of Redditch is a band of beautiful countryside. The area feels surprisingly rural and it would be easy to forget you're only a few miles from the second city if not for the occasional glimpse of a tower block between the autumn leaves and the distant hum of the motorway!
This is a fairly easy, leisurely walk with a late start if you've had a heavy night. Starting in the pleasant commuter village of Barnt Green, just 30 minutes from the city, we will climb steadily onto the Lickey Hills for a view over Birmingham's skyline, then follow the North Worcestershire Path eastwards.
After a break for lunch on Wast Hill we'll walk a short stretch of the Worcester & Birmingham canal towpath before dropping back into Barnt Green for a well-deserved drink and going back to the station.
Getting there & Parking
There are trains from Birmingham New Street at 10.45 and 11.03 (the walk is timed to start after the second of these arrives at Barnt Green).
For the return journey trains run three times an hour. A return ticket from New Street costs £4.70.
You can also park at the station for the day, which costs £2.30.
A range of events are happening on the AGM Weekend - Others will be addded as they're finalised . . . keep your eyes peeled for more.
Celebration Weekend 2018: The AGM
Celebration Weekend 2018: Party Night at The Old Library
Celebration Weekend 2018: The Friday Night Social
What to bring
The route gets pretty muddy in places so boots are a necessity and gaitors if you have them might be handy.
For general guidance:
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
You'll need a packed lunch and enough to drink. There are no shops on the route but you can easily pick things up in and around New Street Station beforehand if you are coming by train.