Heart of England Way Association

Heart of England Way Association

Route Changes

Any changes made to either HOEW or Arden Way routes, since the publication of the 2012 Guide, will be notified in this section.

If you would like to receive email notifications, please contact wardens@heartofenglandway.org for further details. A small donation is requested for this.

If you would like to volunteer as a section warden, please contact wardens@heartofenglandway.org for further details.
Outskirts of Lichfield - Place of interest - Lichfield Canal
PhotoYou may wish to make a small diversion to take a look at the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trusts Heritage Towpath Trail.

Walking south along HOEW, on reaching junction of Quarry Hills Lane and Tamworth Road (A51), cross diagonally to right and into Cricket Lane, where the entrance to the Trail is on the left.

Walking north along HOEW, after crossing A38 road bridge, cross to left side of A51 and take track down to canal trackbed and trail. At Cricket Lane, turn right and right onto A51 to cross over to Quarry Hills Lane.

Following the trackbed and trail avoids walking a section of A51, but does require the A51 to be crossed 3 times (at Quarry Hills Lane, roadbridge across A38, past Horse & Jockey), instead of once.

In June 2015, our warden co-ordinator visited the site and was impressed with the work being done to restore the canal.

To learn more about the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, go to https://www.lhcrt.org.uk/
18th June 2015
By using the towpath of the newly restored Hatherton Canal towpath a section of road walking along the busy A51 has been removed, on the southern outskirts of Lichfield. Do look at www.LHCRT.org.uk for further details.

The Hatherton Canal Trust is also very pleased that we have chosen to use a section of the canal towpath. It is mutually beneficial and gives credence to both organisations. The section of canal towpath that HOEW route can use, can be found here (scroll to right of map).
17th August 2015
PhotoToday we successfully put up the new waymarking arrows to mark the change of route on the outskirts of Lichfield. We put up 5 pairs of waymarks to direct people on to the Hatherton Canal towpath.
HS2 Section 03 - Lichfield to Packington Moor - May 2025
Photo

Currently no impact from HS2
At Packington Moor - SK 1475 0621

HS2 Section 04 - Packington Moor to Drayton Bassett May 2025
Photo

Buck's Head Farm - SK 1491 0393
There is a minor diversion by Buck's Head Farm through the work site for HS2

Read more...


 

HS2 Section 04 - Packington Moor to Drayton Bassett May 2025
Photo

Currently no impact from HS2
At Stone House - SK 1699 0036

Section 7 - Halloughton to Shustoke (B4117)
Photo

Route change south of Hoggrills End Lane  
Starting at grid reference SP 2248 9171  
Following hedge row on left hand side of field.  
At SP 2254 9148 turning right to follow path beside railway trak.  
Finishing at SP 2246 9148  
Returning to original route.

HS2 division Section 11 Meriden to Balsall Common May 2025
Photo

Walking north to south.
Starting at SP 2363 7868
Turn left to follow fence line
At SP 2376 7855 turn right to wards gate leading onto Park Lane
At gate turn left onto Park Lane
Follow Park Lane tuning right onto Public right of way at SP 2405 7836
Cross over crossing at SP 2367 7850
Return to original route at SP 2351 7859

Read more...

Preston Bagot Diversion
PhotoThe footpath, approximately 385 metres in length, has now been diverted and is now 411 metres in length. Warwickshire County Council, in its order of 7th Jan 2020, described it as being in the interests of the owner of the land and expedient that the line of the path should be diverted.

A new Marlow pedestrian gate will be installed at point F. The new route will have an available width of 3 metres.
Section 14 Lowsonford to Henley in Arden
Photo

Starting at SP 1721 6723
to SP 1717 6715
Finish at SP 1701 6716

Rerouting of HoEW at Dorsington to Permissive Path
PhotoThe Heart of England Way has been re-routed onto a new footpath between points A and B (near Dorsington village) by permission of the Heart of England Forest Charity. Please follow HOEW signs on red route.

The new route uses an attractive permissive footpath and has been comprehensively signed with marker posts and notices. (the old route used a bridleway that in winter always became very muddy and unpleasant).

Travelling east from point B, follow the track and minor road until your reach Dorsington Road.

Ordnance Survey have been informed of the changes. When we get authorisation in writing from the Forest Trust agreeing to the permissive path, then Ordnance Survey will be able to reflect this on maps.

Photos

Photos

Photos