This route takes you along a few busy roads, but all roads and paths are well-paved. This route is best suited for the casual runner who is in no rush. Take in the sights along the canal pathways and past some lovely ponds of water, where you’re sure to see some birds and other wildlife.
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Route overview
Perry Hall Park’s (or Perry Barr Hill) name is derived from Old English “pirige,” which means pear tree, and “barro,” Old Celtic for “hill top.”
Perry Hall Park. Credit: Ryan Graham
Make your way down Church Road towards the BMX Race Track. At the main intersection, keep left onto Aldridge Road. Continue straight under the bridge onto College Road. Just before College Road Bridge, turn left, then immediately right under the bridge, and run along the stream.
When you reach Moor Lane Bridge, turn right to go up the pathway over the bridge through a narrow pathway, and turn left onto Moor Lane. At the next road, turn right, then right again. Follow the curves of the path towards the building in Witton Cemetery. Go around the building, following the path that turns right onto The Ridgeway. Turn left at The Ridgeway, then right onto Gipsy Lane.
Part 1 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
Just before Gipsy Lane curves to the right, turn left onto Faulkners Farm Drive. Turn sharp right at the small parking lot, then left to follow the path along Witton Lakes. You can cut through the lake along the bridged pathway or run around the whole lake, then follow the path along the stream. Just after Marsh Hill Nursery School, cross over the intersection to turn right onto Marsh Hill.
Part 2 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
Witton Lakes Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, especially birds and fish. The park is also popular among families for playing sports, having picnics, and hosting events.
Witton Lakes Park. Credit: Elliott Brown
Turn left onto Boulton Walk to run along the houses on your left and the short stream on your right. At the end of the path, turn left onto George Road, then right at the next pathway towards Lakeside Walk. Follow the slight curve to the right, then turn left onto Lakeside Walk (the path closest to the houses on your right) to pass Brookvale Park Lake on your left.
Part 3 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
Brookvale Park. Credit: Ben Abel
After about 500 metres, turn right onto Muscovy Road, then left onto Pintail Drive. Turn right on North Park Road, then left onto the pathway next to Stonechat Drive. Continue under the bridge onto Deykin Avenue. Pass the parking lots on either side of you to find a pathway (on your right) down towards the stream. Turn left to go under the bridges. The path eventually turns right over a bridge. Then turn left to go under the bridge of a main road.
Part 4 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
Follow the path along the canal. After the fifth bridge, turn right onto the path next to you and right again to go under the same five road bridges towards the path that runs parallel to the railway tracks, which will be on your right.
Part 5 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
Follow the road’s curve to the left, under the main road bridge, and over the bridge over the River Tame. Continue straight towards the warehouse buildings. At the end of the pathway at the roundabout, continue straight onto Aston Hall Road, passing the parking lot on either side of you. Follow the curve of the road to continue along Aston Hall Road. After running under the third bridge, turn right onto Witton Lane, passing the church on your right. Just past the church, turn left onto the pathway towards Aston Hall. Feel free to explore the grounds before you continue.
Part 6 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
Aston Hall is a Grade I listed building built in a Jacobean style between 1618 and 1635 and is one of the last buildings to be built in this style. The inside is, of course, decorated with furniture and finishings of just as much grandeur, such as the Long Gallery and oak staircase, where you can still see markings remaining from the English Civil War.
In 1858, the Hall was opened as a place of public entertainment and became a garden open to the public in 1934. Royalty including King Charles I and Queen Victoria, have stayed here, and it was home to the son of the well-known engineer, James Watt, from 1817–1848. If you’d like a better look at what’s inside, you can book tickets here.
Aston Hall. Credit: Expedia
Find your way to Trinity Road, turning left away from the Aston Villa Stadium.
Part 7 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
Continue for about 1km under the bridge. Trinity Road becomes Heathfield Road. Turn slightly right, then left onto Church Hill Road. After about 950 metres, turn left onto Hamstead Road, then right onto the pathway towards and along the pond. Go around the pond to cross the short bridge into Handsworth Park. Feel free to run around here then make your way to Hinstock Road.
Part 8 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
Handsworth Park, formerly Victoria Park, was founded in the 1880s. The park’s layout demonstrates how important recreational green spaces were during the Victorian Era. The Handsworth area is well-known for its diversity, and this park often hosts events such as the Birmingham Tattoo, the Birmingham Festival, and the Handsworth Carnival to celebrate this.
Old Postcard of Handsworth Park. Credit: Andy Mabbett
Turn right onto Hinstock Road, then over Church Lane onto Selborne Road.
Part 9 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
Turn left onto Handsworth Wood Road, then right onto World’s End Road, continuing straight onto Coopers Road. At the small roundabout, continue on Coopers Road.
Part 10 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
After about 550 metres, turn left onto Cherry Orchard Road. After 600 metres, turn right towards Hamstead Hill, then right again onto the pathway along the canal leading you into Perry Hall Park.
Part 11 of the 17km Perry Hill Park Aston Hall Run Loop
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Resources:
If you enjoyed this route, see our Half Marathon Run Loop.
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Information is from various sources including Wikipedia