From Worcester we navigate the busy city centre, past the River Severn and head north up Rainbow Hill, through Blackpole to the village of Spellis Green. Heading east we past the stately home of Hindlip Hall home to West Mercia Police and Fire Service before turning right onto A4538 for a short stint of main road where it’s then left at the roundabout, past Worcester Warriers training ground and over the Worcester & Birmingham canal, a great off-road cycling route itself.
Shortly after passing the Pear Tree Inn, turn right onto Green Lane and pass under the M5 and follow the road left as we run parallel to the motorway. At the sign marked “Trench Lane” we take a right followed by a left at the next T junction. Continue to follow the road where we again pass over the Worcester & Birmingham canal before taking a left onto Hay Lane.
At the next T junction take a left onto Goosehill Lane heading north to reach the busy Saltway / B4090. It’s a short dash right here before turning left, signposted to Hanbury Hall. Passing the historic house and gardens we continue and take the B4091 / Hanbury Road north skirting Piper’s Hill and Dodderhill Common before a right onto Moorgate Road.
Here there are several road options to lead us to Copyholt Lane, it’s then a right followed by another right onto Black Lake Lane, through the lovely village of Upper Bentley and onto Angel Street, Pumphouse Lane and Tynsall Avenue, leading us into Redditch.
Taking the busy Bromsgrove Road we reach the centre of town passing the Kingfisher Shopping Centre and town centre, then descending down Easemore Road and onto Park Way where we’re treated to wide car free roads – just watch out the occassional bus. After a short wile it’s left onto Home Meadow Lane and a short cycleway section to reach the B4101.
We continue along Boeley Lane until we reach the roundabout where we take the second exit and pass under the busy A435. Next it’s the first right onto Blind Lane until we reach a crossroads where it’s north-east along Bates Lane taking us into the pretty village of Tanworth-in-Arden.
Cycling through the quaint village centre we take Doctor’s Hill where shortly afterwards you’ll notice large signs on the right signposted Umberslade Farm Park / Estate. Take the tree lined road passing underneath the railway bridge where when reaching the car park, you’ll see the cafe to the right within the nearby farm buildings.
It’s here we take a short coffee and cake stop at the fabulous and cycle friendly cafe Espresso Farm, a chic renovated barn serving up deliciously smooth coffee, sweet treats, savoury food and much more. On weekends expect to see many other cyclists getting their caffiene fix here too!
Once refuelled it’s time to make our way back, trace your route back out of the estate and into the village of Tanworth-in-Arden, heading north on Vicarage Hill. We then take the B4101 / Broad Lane passing through Boeley until we reach the crossroads at Church Hill (a large crossroads with centre islands). It’s left here, south in the direction of Redditch where at the T junction we take the busy B4497 / Ravensbank Drive right following the road until we reach a large roundabout.
Continue straight along the B4497 passing Arrow Mill Country Park and straight over at the next roundabout before turning right onto Washford Drive. It’s time then to continue navigating the busy roads around Redditch including Woodrow Drive, Rough Hill Drive and the B4504 until you see a sign for Callow Hill. Take the road here until we reach Callow Hill itself, where it’s left along Brookhouses Lane, continuing 3 miles south to the village of Feckenham.
Turning right onto B4090 / Droitwich Road, continue until we reach Church Road on our left. It’s then south through Bradley Green and then west back towards Oddingley and Hindlip which may look familiar.
Re-tracing our route to Spellis Green, we then continue straight to the village of Claines, passing the church and turning immediate left to descent back into the city of Worcester via the bus and cycle lanes.