National Cycle Route 5

National Cycle Route 5 (or NCR 5) is a route of the United Kingdom National Cycle Network, running from Reading to Holyhead.

Didcot | Abingdon-on-Thames | Radley | Oxford | Banbury | Stratford upon Avon

Stratford upon Avon | Redditch | Bromsgrove | Birmingham

This stretch of the NCR5 goes through the south of the West Midlands from Stratford-upon -Avon to Birmingham city centre.

NCR5 skirts around the town centre of Stratford-upon-Avon to join the tow path of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. If you wish to cycle through the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon you can divert to National Cycle Route 41.

NCR5 leaves the towpath at Wilmcote and continues by road towards Coughton, passing Coughton Court and on towards Studley. The route leaves the roads and follows the trail along the River Arrow through the Arrow Valley Country Park. The route continues on along the river until a junction with National Cycle Route 55.

Re-joining the roads, NCR5 passes through Redditch town centre and past Redditch railway station. The route continues through the suburbs until opening out into country lanes heading towards Bromsgrove.

The NCR5 passes through suburbs towns Bromsgrove town centre where you can join National Cycle Route 46. Continuing on NCR5 takes you past the recreation ground and then through the suburbs until joining the Stourbridge Road and passing under the M42. The route then passes between the Lickey Hills and Waseley Hills to reach the first suburb of Birmingham, Rubery.