For a walk in winter, paved paths are a significant bonus, but it is not easy to find a good, varied and interesting walk on dry and firm footways. However, a five mile stroll along the tarmac paths of the delightful New Hall Valley and through of its Country Park is just that. It takes in formal parkland, rough meadowland, some woodland, a river valley, a lake and a railway.

This walk begins at the car park of Pype Hayes Park, just off the Chester Road, not far from Junction 5 of the M6. It can be shortened by turning back earlier or lengthened by an extra mile by extending to Sutton Coldfield Town Centre.

Keen cyclists can take their bikes and follow the route, as well, for all the paths along this entire route are shared between pedestrians and cyclists.

Take the path from the top corner of the car park, over and down the hill to a ‘crossroads’ of paths. Turning right towards the Golf Course on the opposite side of the valley will lead you down to the bank of Plants Brook. Here, you turn left and, for the remainder of the walk, follow this stream.

It leads you across Penns Lane and then over the driveway of the Ramada Birmingham, before crossing to other side of the stream and, eventually passing under the, freight only, Sutton Park railway line.

At Wylde Green Road, turn left across the entrance to New Hall Valley Mill before turning right into the Country Park. A number of paths lead off each side, but follow the stream, keeping it to your left, until, you are faced with passing under the railway again.  Here, you can turn back and retrace your steps or proceed under the arch and emerge onto Ebrook Road, to turn left, then right, in order to visit the Town Centre in Sutton Coldfield.

The Country Park is a 198 acre nature reserve and home to a wide range of animals, birds, insects and plants. kingfishers, heron, dragonflies, water voles and brook trout can be seen around Plants Brook.

On the return leg, consider a stop at the Ramada, not only good for afternoon tea or a visit to the bar, but also the only point from which you can view the adjacent, tree shrouded lake.

The walk is covered by OS Explorer Map no 220 and Landranger no 139.