A Natural Paradise at the Earlswood Lakes

1 The walk starts from the car park opposite Warren Farm and heads towards Terry's Pool where wildfowl often congregate. Crossing the embankment path footbridge, Terry's Pool is on the left and Engine Pool to the right. At the far bank, continue up a hedged path to reach Wood Lane. Go left along the side of the lane for about 400yds (366m), then left on a waymarked driveway to a campsite area on the edge of New Fallings Coppice. Walk through the campsite, bearing right into the trees and then, in about 50yds (46m), go right over a small footbridge into a clearing. Turn left and take the footpath by the side of the trees up to a field corner stile. Cross and enter the coppice. Go left and walk along the woodland path through the coppice. After going over a footbridge, bear right and leave the coppice via a well-walked path over cultivated farm land. This becomes a hedged path and leads to the road near Earlswood Station. Go right, away from the station, up the road for 200yds (183m).

2 Just before Kidpile Farm, go left through a hedge gap and take a waymarked footpath going north west. Initially the path is to the left of the hedge, then enters trees before continuing on the right. It then descends to go under a railway bridge. Continue ahead over a small stream and follow the hedged pathway along the right-hand side of Fulford Heath Golf Club. In about 150yds (137m) go left over a stile and take the waymarked footpath across the golf course, following a line of small posts. The route takes you past the Golf Club House on to the road at Tanners Green. Continue ahead, then bear right at the road junction, in the direction of Wythall.

3 Follow the road for 125yds (114m) and go left down Barkers Lane. In about 250yds (229m) go left again along a footpath signed 'Forshaw Heath', passing along the back of houses through shrubs and trees and eventually reaching Forshaw Heath Lane. Go right along the lane for about 300yds (274m), then left into Juggins Lane. In another 300yds (274m) turn left through Graves Coppice, crossing over the next field and going left at a stile to reach Poolhead Lane. Go left for about 100yds (91m), then right over a stile by Lodge Farm, passing farm buildings into open countryside once again. Bear left at another stile and aim for a waymarked footbridge in the far right corner of the field. Cross the footbridge and return via a second one to follow the right-hand edge of Clowes Wood.

4 After about ½ mile (800m) cross the railway line and take the footpath along the side of Terry's Pool. Continue along the path for the next 700yds (640m), then go right through a kissing gate to return to your car.