Take a journey through Worcestershire countryside, only 30 minutes outside of Birmingham city centre.

At only 5 miles long, the Arrow Valley Line route from Barnt Green to Redditch is a great excuse to head out of the city and enjoy a day out on the railway.

Explore the woodlands, heathland and grassland of the Lickey Hills Country Park, a 30 minute walk from Barnt Green Station. The onsite cafe provides light refreshments and the visitor centre has information, maps and gifts.

From here you can also start another scenic rail adventure along the Saltway Line.

The next stop along the line is Alvechurch. This small historic village boasts many medieval buildings including the Grade II* listed St Laurence Church, built in 1239. Across from the station you'll see Alvechurch Marina, from here you can walk along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal to reach the Tardebigge Locks, the longest flight of narrow boat locks in the UK.

Further along the railway line you'll reach the market town of Redditch. In the 19th century Redditch was the needle making capital of the world, at one stage 90% of the world's needles were manufactured in the area. Today, visitors can celebrate this unusual heritage at the fascinating Forge Mill Needle Museum, around a 25 minute walk from the station.

Just a short walk away from the museum you'll find the ruins of Bordesley Abbey, a medieval Cistercian Abbey which has been extensively excavated. Many of the objects and findings of these excavations can be seen in the nearby visitor centre.

Watch the video to discover more of what there is to offer along this picturesque line...

Highlights

Walking along the canal in Alvechurch

Explore the Forge Mill Needle Museum in Redditch

Enjoy entertainment at the Grade II listed Palace Theatre in Redditch

Find out more

Local line website

Explore the area between Barnt Green to Redditch by train (short version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZcH2E33Zcw

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Getting there

Train/bus Car Plane

Limited parking is available at Barnt Green and Alvechurch. Large car parks are available at Redditch at the railway station and in the town.

Local trains run from Birmingham New Street to Redditch.

Redditch is a bus hub for the area. The bus station is across the road from the railway station under the Kingfisher Shopping Centre.

Route

Barnt Green - Redditch

Cost

£3.80 Day Return

Opening times

All year | 7 days a week

Journey time

0:10

Distance

5 miles | 8km

Time from London

2:10 hours (see itinerary)

Plan your trip

Suggested itinerary

The line from Barnt Green to Redditch runs east from the boundary with the West Midlands before turning south to reach the only ‘new town’ in the County of Worcestershire. Along the way, it meets the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at Alvechurch.

Barnt Green

Our starting point is Barnt Green which is the junction station on the ‘main line’ from Birmingham to Bristol and the South West. Barnt Green is the rail head for the Lickey Hills which have long been popular with the city dwellers of the West Midlands. In days past, circular tickets were sold to allow walkers to arrive at the station and then walk over the hills to return to (from) stations on the Snow Hill to Stourbridge line.

The Redditch platforms are tightly curved as the line swings away eastwards. Leaving the station, the two tracks become one as the route is largely single line. It is not long before the route turns south and the station of Alvechurch is approached. Here, a passing loop has been installed to allow 3 trains an hour to serve the branch.

Alvechurch

Alvechurch Parish is well known to various rambling clubs for its well-maintained country footpaths which are promoted as a “Gateway to the Countryside”.

Close by to the station is the canal with marinas and a typical canalside pub. A good walk is to be had along the canal to Tardebigge Locks – the longest flight of narrow boat locks in the UK (there is a bus link to Bromsgrove and Redditch from the top lock).

Redditch

Redditch is the terminus of the line with a modern single platform station. Nothing remains of the former Midland Railway station which served the through line to Ashchurch in Gloucestershire. Redditch was designated a ‘New Town’ in 1964 and is a fascinating mixture of the old and the new. In the 19th Century Redditch was the needle making capital of the world, an achievement celebrated at the Forge Mill Needle Museum. The Town was also the home of the world famous Royal Enfield Motorcycle Company.

Redditch also boasts a Vue multiplex cinema in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre and the Grade II listed Palace Theatre that is well worth a visit.

Watch the video to discover more of what there is to offer along this picturesque line...