Barnt Green to Lickey Hills Circular Walk in Worcestershire / Birmingham
This is a way marked route by Worcestershire County Council. Starting at Barnt Green (approx. postcode B45 8NW). It takes in some of the local countryside, skirting around the reservoirs to the top of Lickey Hills and back down to Barnt Green.
Alternative starting point is Lickey Hills Visitor Centre car park (check closing time for the car park to avoid getting locked in). For public transport the Barnt Green railway station is on the route.
Distance: 4 miles
Although the Lickey Hills are physically located within Worcestershire the country park is managed by Birmingham City Council. J R R Tolkien lived in nearby Rednell and was a regular visitor. The Lickeys and surrounding area are thought to have been his inspiration for The Shire as featured in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Click the map for a larger version
The walk goes alongside Lower Bittell Reservoir.
There is a steep walk up to the top of the Lickey Hills.
The visitor centre is built in an area used for artillery armament testing during the First World War.
The route is also available through the Ordnance Survey Online OS Maps and as a GPX file for handheld sat nav systems.
Details of the route : Barnt Green Lickey Hills Circular Walk (Worcestershire County Council).