Blakedown, Worcestershire (+ optional pub lunch) travel by car or train

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Distance of walk : 6.75 miles – morning 4.5 miles (including short break), afternoon 2.25 miles. Pleasant easy walking throughout.
Note : lunch at the pub is optional. Or you may prefer to bring your own lunch to eat nearby. For those who wish to do the morning walk only the estimated finish time is 1.30pm.
Meeting arrangements:
Meet by 10.30 a.m. at The Old House at Home, Birmingham Road, Blakedown DY10 3JE.
If travelling by train: The 9.27 am train from Birmingham Moor Street platform 2, or 9.31 am from Snow Hill platform 1 - estimated arrival time at Blakedown 10.04 am. The Old House at Home is about 6/7 minutes walk from the station. On exiting the station turn left along the short slip road, right into main Birmingham Road and the pub is a few minutes’ walk on the left.
Morning walk From the pub we head towards the picturesque Blakedown pools - formed when numerous small streams flowing down from the Clent Hills were dammed to form millponds for the small ironworks and corn grinding industries in the area. From here our route follows part of the Monarch’s Way passing alongside Harborough Hill. Another large pool brings us to Churchill Forge a waterwheel powered hand tool forge, one of the last remaining in the UK. The site dates from before 1800, with the workshop machinery dating from the early 1900s. We pass through the quiet village of Churchill, briefly follow field paths and a bridle track to Churchill Lane leading us back to Blakedown and the pub for lunch. Please note the pub doesn’t open till 12 but we will take a comfort break during the morning walk.
Afternoon walk: After lunch our short route follows pleasant part wooded bridle tracks and quiet lanes. On this route we pass a truly magnificent Art Deco house which I would describe as Hollywood Hills comes to Worcestershire! It’s wonderful and jaw-dropping - and not to be missed!