Sarehole Mill and the River Cole
With your back to the road, cross the car park, bearing left to a footbridge. Keep left in the field, passing Sarehole Mill and its distinctive chimney. Pass a pond, part of the mill, on the left and make for a gate ahead leading out to Wake Green Road. Number 264, the house where Tolkien lived, is diagonally right. It is privately owned and not open to the public. Cross over into Thirlmere Drive and follow the road to Pensby Close. Pass several lock-up garages and turn left just before some flats.
Bear right at a line of bungalows and follow the path into woodland. Ascend a short flight of steps, then down ten steps to turn right over a footbridge. This is Moseley Bog, one of Tolkien’s childhood haunts. Turn immediately left and follow the boardwalk through the wood, keeping to the main path. When it divides, take either route as they rejoin shortly. At the next fork, by a footbridge, keep left. Climb some steps, turn right at the top and follow the woodland path. On reaching a grassy clearing, cross it to another obvious path and keep left. Pass through a small car park to the road and turn left.
At the island, cross Swanshurst Lane and continue briefly on Yardley Wood Road. After 100yds (91m), veer left to follow a path parallel to the road and keep Moseley New Pool on your left. Skirt the pool and when the path bends left at its corner, bear right between the trees to reach the vast grassy expanse of Swanshurst Park. Follow the obvious path, with the tower of a local fire station visible close by on the right. Draw level with the building and at the road turn left.
Follow Brook Lane, pass a row of shops and descend the hill. Turn right into Coleside Avenue and cross the River Cole at the Four Arches Bridge. Follow the path as it bears right on the opposite side, keep the river on your right and eventually reach the next road (Highfield Road). The walk turns right for several paces, crossing the Cole.
Once over, turn right to follow the riverside path. At one point, the walk follows the path between a stream on the left and the river on the right. Cross a concrete footbridge, keep right with both watercourses now on the right. Approach the next bridge. Do not cross it; instead turn left and walk beside the water. Cross the next bridge, keep right and return to Coleside Avenue. Follow it to the junction, cross over with care and follow the path ahead (John Morris Jones Walkway). Follow the riverbank path with the chimney of Sarehole Mill gradually edging into view. Cross over at the lights and return to the car park.
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
Nearby places to stay
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- Total units: 108
- Family rooms: 0
- Free TV
- WiFi available
- Lift available
- Family rooms: 0
- Free TV
- WiFi available
- Lift available




