Cole For Xmas II
GUIDED RAMBLE
Sun 29 Dec | 11am - 2 30pm
FREE
Meet: Outside Sparkhill Library, 641 Stratford Road, Birmingham B11 4EA Ends: Gressel Lane, Sheldon, Birmingham B33 9US
Distance: 7 miles
Last year, the SW Xmas walk Cole for Xmas followed a section of the river Cole on an epic expedition through South Birmingham, visiting the Shire Country Park, Chinn Brook and the Stratford-on-Avon canal. This year, the obvious sequel to that walk is to head north and follow the Cole as it meanders in the general direction of the airport. At 7 miles, Cole for Xmas II will seem like either the ideal antidote to Christmas or a grim and gruelling slog. But be sure there will be plenty of intriguing moments along the way: lost rivers, woodland valleys, remote parkland, industrial interludes and of course the odd decommissioned Royal Navy fighter jet. There will be regular rest intervals before our pre-dusk arrival at the final destination of Sheldon Hall, a 16th-century manor house turned pizza restaurant.
Sheldon Hall is a sprawling mix of timber, stone and brick that never seems to make it into the Birmingham guidebooks (including Still Walking’s own 111 Places… book). But it is an intriguing location to enjoy a gigantic pizza. If you don't feel able to complete the full route, you are of course welcome to return home at your own discretion—there is no narrative that you will interrupt. The path intersects several major roads where you can join the local bus service.
The walk will be in daylight, but may well be cold and at least slightly damp. If the weather looks set to be unenjoyably wet (ie raining relentless) we will postpone to early 2025. We will endure the odd light shower, so please dress accordingly. Most of the route is off-road but on generally reliable tarmac-ed paths, but some areas may be wet or muddy, so be prepared!
Cole for Xmas will last approximately 3.5 hours including rest stops. Travelling to the start point by public transport is recommended as the walk is not circular. Look for the clock tower of Sparkhill Library on Stratford Road: we will meet there. The walk will end at Gressel Lane, Sheldon.
The walk is FREE but tickets must be booked ahead. Please advise if you would like to stay for a meal - the restaurant will be in demand that Xmas weekend and will require plenty of advance booking. Please let us know if you can’t make the walk after making booking, as the waiting list can be informed.
The meeting point at Sparkbrook library can be reached by the 3, 4, 5 and 6 bus services. The nearest train station to Sheldon Hall is Lea Hall, approximately 25 minutes walk away.
The route is step-free but some sections of the path and route are likely to be wet / muddy and relatively rough.