Black Country Holiday 2025

3 night cycling holiday in the Black Country based in Birmingham 18th to 21st June 2025

Explore the Black Country by bike using the many canal towpaths, old railways paths, parks and a few quiet roads

Approximate cost £146 sharing a room. Meals, including breakfast, are not included

Arrange your own transport to Birmingham, train is suggested as parking is expensive in city centre

All rides are optional and there are many ways to shorten the routes using the local train network

Note that you will need to carry your luggage from your home to the hotel, including getting on and off trains. Don’t forget lights, lock, repair kit and pump

First come first served for places, but there will be a waiting list in case of cancellation

The link below is to a YouTube video, uploaded by locals, that shows the type of terrain you can expect. Note that the riders are locals and know the route well and that it is speeded up (isn’t it?) so approaching some of the obstacles may make you feel a little queasy! It is long so you might want to focus on around the 20 minute mark and the last 8 minutes.

Riding 6 Canals Around Birmingham and Solihull

Accommodation

• The Briar Rose, Bennetts Hills, a Weatherspoons hotel in the city centre. Bikes can be stored in the rooms overnight
  • Same sex twin bedded rooms with ensuite bathrooms
  • Double rooms for couples available subject to availability

Travel

• Arrange your own transport to Birmingham
  • Train is suggested as parking is expensive in town centre

Payment

• When your place is confirmed by email you will be asked to transfer £73 deposit
  • If this is not paid you may lose your place
• Remainder of payment required Spring 2025
• In you later cancel your place, the deposit may be be refunded if someone is able to take your place

Itinerary

• General
  • The majority of the riding is traffic free on canal towpaths with a variety of surfaces including cobbles, tarmac and grass. There are many ups and downs, some quite steep, by locks and over the many bridges that traverse branches off the main canal
  • Typical mileage ~15 miles on days 1 and 4 (half day rides), 25-35 miles on day rides
  • Due to the surface, locks and so on, the pace is generally slow, 6-8mph
  • Rides are best suited to hybrid / gravel / mountain bikes, suspension is advantageous due to the bumpiness of the paths. This trip is not suitable for road bikes or those with skinny tyres
  • Powerful lights are required if you wish to ride through the tunnels. Locks are required
  • E-bikes are possible. However, it is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that the bike has enough range for each day, and they are able to lift the bike on & off trains and up & down steps if required
• Draft plan
  • Day 1 – Travel to Birmingham New Street by train, drop bags at hotel. Afternoon ride heading south to Kings Norton
  • Day 2 – Day ride north around Wolverhampton riding on canal towpaths and former railway lines
  • Day 3 – Day ride to Sutton Coldfield, some canal, residential roads and parkland tracks
  • Day 4 – Morning ride to Earlswood Lakes before getting the train home in the afternoon
• Other attractions
  • Birmingham has many museums, art galleries, stadiums including the Black Country Living Museum
  • Option of an evening canal boat trip or walking tour
  • There are lots of eateries within walking distance of the hotel which will suit all tastes and budgets

Apply to join Black Country Cycling Holiday