Starting outside the Bournville Factory, Birmingham.

Route Checker: Kelvin Roberts

[1]  Start outside No2 Lodge at the corner of Main Street South and Bournville Lane.  Leaving the factory, turn right into Bournville Lane, passing the newly face-lifted Bournville Place. Turn right at the steps and ramp, signposted Cadbury World, and follow the path between the fountain and the factory.

(A) Bournville recreation ground on your left was laid out in 1896 for the male workers. Women had the gardens over Bournville Lane for their recreation.The half timbered pavilion was built by the Cadburys in 1902.

Continue along the path, crossing the Bourn Brook, which was used as a water supply for the factory in its early years.  Enjoy the smell of chocolate here too!  At the end of the footpath through the factory, cross the zebra crossing and turn left, walking alongside the vehicle driveway to Cadbury World, and signposted as pedestrian access to Linden Road.

(B) Cadbury World is a popular visitor attraction.

(C) At the junction of Linden Road, notice the parish church of St Francis on the corner and (D) the Bournville Carillion above the junior school over the road.

Cross Linden Road via the Pelican crossing, and turn left.  After just 30 metres turn right into Bournville Park.

[2]  Follow the path as it meanders all the way through the pretty, wooded park, to Oak Tree Lane.

Alternative route

Here it is possible to take a shorter alternative route back to the start. Instead of leaving Bournville Park at Oak Tree Lane, instead continue on the path which curves around to the left, over a bridge. Pass the tennis courst on your right and carry on until you reach a small bridge on your left over the stream. Do not cross the bridge, but turn right into Beech Road and walk up to the junction with Bournville Lane. Turn right and walk along as far as Selly Oak Road. There is a sharp bend here, making it difficult to cross Bournville Lane, so stay right and cross when you can see both ways. Turn left into Selly Oak Road, cross Mary Vale Road and turn left into Beaumont Road. Continue along this road and cross Linden Road (use the pelican crossing about 40metres to your left, if the road is busy) and continue along Beaumont Road until you reach Franklin Road. Resume the main route from [5].

[3] For the main route, cross Oak Tree Lane and turn left and after about 20 metres, turn right into another area of parkland and follow this path through to Woodbrooke Road. (E) Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School is on your left. Cross the road into The Valley Parkway and continue on the path, keeping to the right fork at a bridge and then following it round to the left by a hedge. Be careful of the uneven ground caused by tree roots.  Leaving the boating pool  on your left continue to the end of the path at Bournville Lane.

(F) Bournville Model Yacht and Power Boat Club still use the pool as their home base and for competitions, and a large gaggle of Canada geese and some coot, live here too.

[4]  Leaving the park, turn right and cross the road at Pelican traffic lights, opposite Bournville Lane police station. Turn left for about 70 metres, then right through a narrow entrance onto a path running through a little area of woodland. Turn left at the end of the wood onto Charfield Close and walk down it to Bournville Lane.  Turn right here up Bournville Lane, keeping on the right hand pavement, and crossing Dingle Close, Hay Green Lane, Teazel Avenue, Birch Close and finally Selly Oak Road.

[5]  Turn right down Selly Oak Road and walk down the lefthand side past Mary Vale Road to Beaumont Road. Here you turn left and walk all the way along to Linden Road.

Beaumont Road forms one of the early parts of the factory village, many of the houses being built as early as 1904.

(G) There is a Christadelphian Meeting Hall near the corner with Linden Road.

Cross Linden Road with care, as traffic can come down it very fast.  If it is very busy, there is a Pelican crossing to use 40 metres to the left.  Continue down Beaumont Road to the junction with Franklin Road,  passing a United Reformed Church (H) on your right.

[6]  Turn left down Franklin Road to the end.  Cross over Mary Vale Road and turn right, walking as far as Franklin Way on your left, which you turn down, walking back to the start point outside the No 2 Lodge entrance.