Traffic-free cycling routes in the West Midlands

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Traffic-free cycling routes in the West Midlands

By British Cycling

Published on April 21, 2023 6 min read

Recommended rides by British Cycling

British Cycling share their favourite traffic-free cycling routes within the West Midlands, all of which are available in OS Maps. These family-friendly routes are suitable for all cycling abilities and make a great day out.

New Hall Valley ride

Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham

New Hall Valley Country Park. Credit: Martin Richard Phelan (Geograph)

See the best of Birmingham’s nature in this family-friendly nature themed ride. Let’s begin with the New Hall Valley cycle route, a 6-mile traffic-free ride through two of Birmingham’s larger parks. You’ll first cycle through Pype Hayes Park, which is filled with beautiful traditional ornamental gardens, dwarf yew hedges and a modern millennium garden. You’ll also have sight of the 17th Century grade II listed Pype Hayes Hall. As you ride further into the park, you’ll pass by the park’s fishing pool where you can often spot Mallard Ducks, Canada Geese and Mute Swans.

As you leave the park, the route follows the Plants Brook waterside path until you reach New Hall Valley Country Park. Here you’ll ride through the park’s historic wetlands and buildings while taking in the amazing views across to Sutton Coldfield.
For the final part, you’ll re-join Plants Brook waterside path, where you’ll be treated to an array of animals, birds, and butterflies. Keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers, kestrels, reed buntings, dragonflies, and brook trout.

New Hall Valley cycle route

Wheels and wings cycle

Sheldon Country Park, Birmingham

Sheldon Country Park. Credit: Brian Robert Marshall (Geograph)

This four and a half mile traffic-free route is an excellent choice for beginners and will lead you through more of Birmingham’s green open spaces. Upon your departure you’ll soon reach the free viewing area for Birmingham International Airport. With great views of the runway, you’ll get to experience up close the various aircraft coming and going. Time it right and you may see the world’s largest passenger airliner land!

From the viewing area, you’ll wing yourself further into Sheldon Country Park. Through the park, you’ll enjoy woodlands, winding brooks and a seventeenth century Old Rector Farm. The farm is free and open all year, so you can lock your bikes up to visit the Jersey cattle, goats, and ponies.

From here, you’ll head out of the park following Kinghurst Brook until you reach Meriden Park. Enjoy an array of wildlife by the park’s large natural lake and thick woodlands. Got kids riding with you? Then you will not want to miss visiting one of the country’s leading adventure playgrounds. Here they’ll enjoy a range of climbing frames, swings, sandpits and a zipline.

Wheels and Wings cycle route

Kingswinford urban escape

Himley, Staffordshire

Kingswinford Railway Walk. Credit: Stephen Rogerson (Geograph)

This route is perfect for families with smaller children, or those who want a nice simple relaxing ride. Within just a few minutes into the ride you’ll be enjoying a traffic-free urban escape. This scenic 4-mile route follows a section of the Kingswinford Railway Walk which runs from Himley into Wombourne. The route is relatively flat and suitable for all riders, especially families.

Along the route you’ll pass through Himley Plantation, here you’ll enjoy a woodland full of oak and sycamore trees. Further along, you’ll continue to discover more wildlife and flourishing flowers. Don’t forget to stop and relax away within the urban escape at one of the various picnic sites dotted throughout the route.

Kingswinford urban escape route

Coombe Abbey circular cycle

Coombe Abbey Country Park, Coventry

Coombe Abbey Hotel

Perfect for connecting with nature in a relaxing setting, this 3-mile traffic-free route begins in the majestic Coombe Abbey Country Park. Before embarking on the route, we recommend spending some time exploring the various paths throughout the park to see the wildflower meadow, beautiful gardens, historic woodlands, and peaceful lake. And don’t miss out admiring Coombe Abbey Hotel, famous for housing royals, being part of the Gunpower Plot and even surrendering to King henry VIII.

Once, you feel you’ve explored the park it is time to follow the route out towards the New Close Wood and The Grove to enjoy an escape into ancient woodlands filled with wildflowers. The next stop before looping back to Coombe Abbey is to pass Coventry Stadium, the former home of the Coventry Bees speedway team.

Coombe Abbey cycle route

Brueton Park bash

Malvern and Brueton Park, Solihull

Brueton Park. Credit: David Stowel (Geograph)

This three and a half mile traffic-free route along flat tarmac paths explores two parks in one and is perfect for little kids and big kids too! The first section you’ll discover is Brueton Park which is the town’s local nature reserve. You’ll take a spin around the park’s ornamental lake full of ducks, geese, and other wildlife. You’ll then head deeper into the park, weaving through mature woodland, featuring magnificent England oak, Giant Redwood, and Indian Bean trees.

Once, you’ve headed through Brueton’s magnificent woodlands then it is time to head into Malvern Park. Here you’ll experience formal town gardens and get to see the magnificent “Prancing Horse and Man” statue. There’s plenty of spots for picnicking as well as a café. For children, Malvern Park is full of adventure where they can enjoy rope swings, slides, trampolines, and bird nest tree climbing.

Brueton Park cycle route

There you have it, five of British Cycling’s favourite traffic-free cycling routes within the West Midlands. You can discover 80 more British Cycling approved routes across the West Midlands in OS Maps and find out how to get the most from your ride with these cyclists top tips for using OS Maps.

If you’re new to riding, find out how to get into cycling with these budget-friendly British Cycling resources.

Some of the images are from Geograph.org.uk and © Copyright [creator referenced in each image] and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

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By British Cycling

British Cycling is the national governing body for cycling in Britain. They encourage grassroots participation and support Britain’s professional cyclists. Find out more at British Cycling.