Route Developer: EJD

Route Checker: TS

[1] Come out of The Hub and turn right, onto Vicarage Road. Cross the pedestrian crossing and turn left onto Millbrook Road. Almost immediately turn right onto Allens Croft Road and continue ahead. Cross The Pathway and Fawley Grove. Notice the new Children’s Centre on your left; the one stop shop for parents & children including Sure Start, nursery, family support & health/NHS services. The road curves to the left and becomes Brandwood Park Road.

[2] Continue ahead and cross Reaside Crescent. Turn right onto Lifford Close, cross the road and take the first left onto Towpath Way. Take several steps and cross the road onto the opposite footpath to walk up Towpath Way. Cross Cressy Close and continue along the path until you reach the entrance to the canal towpath.

[3] At the entrance, turn right to walk along the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. Take special care along the waterside and be aware that fishermen may be present alongside the canal and reservoir. Continue ahead and when you reach the swing bridge, a movable bridge which allows cars to cross, walk straight over to continue walking along the canalside. Continue ahead and when you reach the guillotine bridge, a disused stop lock which prevented water transference between the canals, turn right to walk up the path to reach Lifford Lane.

[4] At Lifford Lane turn right and after several steps cross the road to walk on the opposite footpath, in the same direction. This is because the footpath will cease for some distance ahead. Take special care crossing this busy road. Continue along Lifford Lane and observe the Lakeside Centre on your left. The Lakeside Centre holds several leisure units including a restaurant, a scuba diving centre and a waterside gym. Take several steps and cross the road at the drop kerb to return to the original side of the road. You will notice the River Rea running below you on your right. Turn right onto Tunnel Lane. This is an access road which does not have continuous footpaths and the road is uneven with some potholes.

[5] Continue ahead on Tunnel Lane and pass Lifford Hall on your right, which was built as a corn mill sometime in the 17th Century. It includes a watermill, which was powered by the River Rea. Notice that the River Rea is directed under Tunnel Lane and continues along your left, running towards Stirchley and eventually Cannon Hill Park.

[6] Straight ahead is Lifford Reservoir. Step down and turn right to walk along the right hand side of the reservoir. Where the path turns to the left to continue round the reservoir, instead walk ahead up the gravel path to meet Tunnel Lane.

Wheelchair/pushchair alternate route: After viewing the reservoir, instead of taking the step down to walk alongside the reservoir, continue to use Tunnel Lane which curves to the right, and which will soon join up with the main route.

Continue up Tunnel Lane until you reach again the swing bridge and canal. Turn left to walk alongside the canalside. Take the first exit you reach on the towpath on your left to reach Towpath Way.

[7] Walk down Towpath Way, cross Cressy Close, continue ahead and where the footpath ends, cross the road and continue along Towpath Way. At the end of the street turn right onto Lifford Close. At the top of Lifford Close, cross the street and turn left into Brandwood Park Road, cross the road to continue along Brandwood Park Road, turn into the walkway at the second right.

[8] Cross Allens Croft playing fields to meet the path that runs alongside Allens Croft Primary School, walk to the end and turn right where you will retrace your steps along Allen Croft Road. At the end of the road turn left onto Millbrook Road. You will shortly reach The Hub on your left.

If user is a wheelchair user or includes children in pushchair, you will need a Radar Key to access one section of the canal (Phone: 0121 505 1150).