GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Kingswinford Railway Walk

7 miles (12 km)

A circular walk from Kingswinford along a disused railway track, visiting Wombourne and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
The walk starts just to the north of the town where you can pick up the South Staffordshire Railway Walk. This shared cycling and walking trail follows the trackbed of the old Wolverhampton to Dudley railway line. Follow the flat path west and it will take you to Himley and the woodland of the Himley Plantation. The trail then heads through Wombourne where this route leaves the rail trail to cross Bratch Bridge. You can continue all the way along the rail trail to Wolverhampton though if you wish.
This route heads to the impressive Bratch Locks on the canal. Here you can pick up the towpath and follow it south to Swindon. You then leave the canal to head back to Himley where you can pick up the South Staffordshire Railway Walk and return to the start point near Kingswinford.

Kingswinford Railway Walk OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Kingswinford Railway Walk Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

One popular pit stop for people on the route is the railway cafe in Wombourne. The cafe is set in restored railway station and offers a delicious selection of freshly made food, breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. If the weather is good you can sit outside in the garden or under cover on the platform.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

To continue your walking in the area head south along the canal on the Kinver Canal Walk and then climb to the popular Kinver Edge for great views over the area.
To the south of the town you can also pick up the Stourbridge Canal and enjoy another easy waterside stroll.
To the east you can explore the woodland sculpture trails in the wildlife rich Saltwells Nature Reserve. You will also find the pretty Netherton Reservoir and the Dudley Canal in this area. The canal lies at the southern end of the Victorian Netherton Tunnel. With a torch you can walk through the pitch black tunnel to Dudley Port at the other end.
Just to the north there's the 18th century Himley Hall. The historic hall is surrounded by ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland with woodland walks, waterfalls and a large lake.
For more walking ideas in the area see the West Midlands Walks page.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Kingswinford Railway Walk, West Midlands - geograph.org.uk - 643030

Kingswinford Railway Walk, West Midlands. The railway was finally closed in 1965 , having only served passengers for seven years from 1925 to 1932.

Kingswinford Railway Walk - geograph.org.uk - 287937

Section of the disused track north of Wombourne Station.

Himley Station, Staffordshire - geograph.org.uk - 633187

Himley Station, Staffordshire With astonishing optimism, the Great Western Railway opened this station in 1925 with a platform more than 140 metres in length! Passengers used the line for just seven years. Now it part of the South Staffordshire Railway Walk

Wombourne Railway Station

Wombourne Railway Station

South Staffordshire Railway Walk at Wombourne - geograph.org.uk - 3227579

South Staffordshire Railway Walk at Wombourne

South Staffordshire Railway Walk at Himley - geograph.org.uk - 634168

South Staffordshire Railway Walk at Himley

GPS Files

GPX File

Kingswinford Railway Walk.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Kingswinford Railway Walk.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)