[1] Leaving the office, turn left into Eckershall Road and cross over it at the bollards. Walk carefully across the end of Westhill Road and turn right into it. After 200 yards, go left into King’s Norton Park (A). Go straight across the wide mown grass towards the white goal posts, which you will pass on your left, and aim towards the tarmac cycle path beyond the skateboard area. This will lead onto Pershore Road South, where you cross at the pedestrian crossing.
[2] Enter King’s Norton Playing Fields (B) on the wide tarmac path and continue past the car park, swing left and over a wooden footbridge. Continue along the possibly slippery path until you reach the Worcester and Birmingham Canal (C) and turn right along the possibly slippery towpath.
You will join the canal near the Kings Norton Junction (D) where The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, of 1816, leaves the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and bears off to the right. There is a Junction House, or Canal House, here that was originally built in 1796 and is now a Grade II listed building. This was the site of the first office of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal Company and doubled as a toll house. The raised bricks in the paths by the bridges helped the horses make the climb; don’t trip over them.
[3] Follow the canal and on reaching the bridge leave the towpath onto Wharf Road. Turn right onto Wharf Road and then take the turning right at the Baptist Church (E) and at a car-park with bollards at its back. This church was founded in 1847, when baptisms took place in the nearby canal. Follow the tarmac path to re-enter King’s Norton Playing Fields.
[4] As the possibly slippery path narrows and bears left, walk towards the block of changing rooms and turn left over a wide footbridge. Go up and over the grass, keeping the red brick building, the Library, to your right, and follow the narrow path with lamp posts between the buildings. This leads back onto Pershore Road South.
[5] On Pershore Road South, turn left and cross the road via the pedestrian crossing. Turn right and walk past Back Road and the church entrance and graveyard, to re-enter King’s Norton Park through the main entrance, which has bollards across it.
[6] At the end of the avenue, take the path on your left, walk through the park to exit opposite Kingsway Drive. Take care on the steps. Crossing Westhill Road carefully, turn right to walk back towards the office.