Leave the car park at the north end by walking east past the Warden’s base, uphill along a tarmac driveway. At the junction, near a couple of houses, bear right through a gateway and continue along the driveway past a small pool, then between the greens below Halesowen Golf Club clubhouse. Where the tarmac track arcs to the left near the clubhouse and through a gate, turn right. At the top of the hill the drive leads into Leasowes Lane and a residential area.

At the end of the lane go right along Manor Lane (B4043). After passing Stennels Avenue, the road bends right. Go left up a narrow public footpath to the right, just past Priory Road. Follow this fenced footpath into Hiplands Road; go right, then right again into Manor Abbey Road at the T-junction. In about 20yds (18m), go left down Longlands Road and continue as it bends right. After passing Lavina and Christopher roads, go left through a public footpath barrier to reach the A456.

Cross the busy road at the pedestrian crossing and proceed down Lapal Lane South opposite. After about 275yds (251m), go right over a stile and into open countryside. Follow the direction of the fingerpost signed to Illey, and take the path up along the left edge of a large field. Now go left over a second stile and bear right to the hedged path, heading southwards. Where another path joins from the left, the path becomes a track. At a junction of paths, continue ahead, then walk through trees to the left of Cooper’s Wood. At the end of the wood, over a stile, go right. Cross over another stile, then bear quarter-left to a stile to cross pasture. Over a stile the path arcs right, and then left over another stile onto a track.

Follow this track and in about 100yds (91m) go right over a pair of stiles (if you walk to the end of the track you reach a road and will find The Black Horse pub on the corner opposite). Continue to the right of a field hedge with Illey Lane football ground on the other side. At the field corner, go left over a stile and walk around the bottom end of the football field, leaving via the football club gate onto the farm drive near Illey Hall Farm. Go left along the farm drive for 30yds (27m), then right over a stile and take the path to the left of the field hedge. Follow this path, soon merging with the Monarch’s Way, over several fields and stiles, later crossing to the other side of the hedge via a stile where there is a stream to the right. The path arcs right to a bridge and becomes a farm track arcing left towards Manor Abbey Farm. Bear right as you approach the farm, picking out a field corner stile and continuing across a large field.

Cross the stile and go left, then bear right over a footbridge to a pair of stiles that take you back to the side of the A456. Go right for 25yds (23m), then over the road at the crossing. Go right again, then left to follow the tarmac footpath at a sign, ‘Leasowes Park and Breaches Pool’.

This path passes along the back of residential properties. Continue ahead to the right of a chain-link fence and soon the path becomes the tow path of the Lapal Canal (formally known as the Dudley No. 2). The canal is covered with water plants, and there are houses up to the right. After about 400yds (366m), a bank crosses the canal, just before a former lock. Cross this and head along the tow path, now to the right of the canal (there is visible water here), with The Leasowes to your right. In 150yds (137m) stop to enjoy the fine view over Breaches Pool, then continue up the tow path and return to the car park.