Today, I took a 70 mile ride around the canals of North Walsall, Wolverhampton, South Staffordshire, Stourbridge, Dudley, Oldbury, Birmingham and east Walsall. I entered the canal system at Goscote, in Walsall, and didn’t leave it again until Aldridge, some 65 miles later. What I found was a wonderfully peaceful world of limpid water, greenery and a huge amount of wildlife. There was beauty in unexpected places. I traversed the Netherton Tunnel, and came through the inner city as well as rolling countryside.
Detail of my route in a future post.
A great day with fine weather. For more of this sort of stuff, please check out my 365daysofbiking journal.
The Meccano bridge
Aldersley Junction
Baptist End
Such riotous beauty in such an unexpected place
Wordsley
Bumble Hole
Nine locks
Freeth Bridge, Tower Hill, Hamstead
Entering Wolverhampton
I saw at least ten of these fine birds today
Bumble Hole: Cobbs engine house
Wednesfield
Hamstead in the golden hour
Merry Hill
Dunstall
Stourton Junction
Not sure what this is but it’s gorgeous
Lupins under Spaghetti Junction
Swindon
Wolverhampton locks
Oldbury, Tat Bank: several graffiti drawings on monkeys on penny farthings. OK.
Rushall Juntion looking to Wednesbury down the Tame Valley
Obligatory heron
Orton
Boater dawg
The Glass Cone
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Nice shots. I know the route well 🙂 . . . . . was a great day for it today ! !
You should do – I copied it from you 😉
Great run, but the uphill from Stourton to Bumble Hole is long and wearing
Cheers
Bob
Only section I’m not keen on is the “new” BCN cut, from The Junction with the Walsall canal (Pudding Green ?) to the Netherton tunnel arm – flat, straight, open and uninteresting – thank heavens its only a short run
I only do that as far as the old line over bridge, then head down to Oldbury. Much more interesting than the mainline!
See – you blokes are dead lucky that you can do that. I used to ride along the canal in my younger days, but wouldn’t attempt it today as I wouldn’t feel safe … Plus I’d probably get a puncture …
Hi Edwina
It’s as safe as anywhere, really. Loads of other walkers, boaters and riders about, and the towpaths are very good on the whole.
Good tyres is the key to reducing punctures.
I love the canals.
Cheers
Bob
It’s safe. Really. I’ve walked parts of that route and no problems at all.
Edwina, I’m female, 51 and ride the canals alone. Have to say I feel a whole lot safer on the canals than I do the roads!
If you want to see the BCN with some boats on it you might like to look out for the BCN Society’s Explorer Cruise on its way to Pelsall. Here is the itinerary for the rest of the week. There is another Explorer Cruise after the Festival starting on Monday 17th at Wolverhampton. I’ll post details of that one later.
Day 3 Monday 10th June (0 locks) To Wolverhampton
A morning talk is planned by a local historian on the history of Tipton. Afterwards, boats continue on the Old Main line to Wolverhampton where a social evening at the Great Western Hotel is planned.
Day 4 Tuesday 11th June (6 locks) To Walsall
Boats to leave Wolverhampton back on the Old Main Line to Horsley Fields Junction, turn left onto the Wyrley & Essington Canal to Birchills Junction, and right on the Walsall canal descending the Walsall locks. Mooring in Walsall town basin.
Day 5 Wednesday 12th June (0 locks) To Moorcroft Junction
Leave Walsall town basin and continue on the Walsall Canal to Moorcroft Junction via Pleck, Moxley and Darlaston and moor adjacent to Moorcroft Junction and Willingsworth Hall Bridge.
At around noon a 1-mile leisurely walk to the Bradley workshops lock gate manufacturing facility.
We plan to go to the Bradley workshops by walking up the original “Bradley branch” past the first 2 still visible lock chambers then climbing on a well defined footpath up the remaining 7 lock levels, turn right on the original canal embankment to the Bradley workshops where we will be met by Canal & River Trust staff and given a conducted tour of the lock gate manufacturing facility.
Day 6 Thursday 13th June (11 locks) To Longwood Junction
From Moorcroft Junction continue on to Ocker Hill Junction turning left on the Tame valley canal to Rushall Junction and left on the Rushall canal ascending the Rushall locks and moorind at Longwood Junction where a Fish & Chips evening is planned at the Longwood boat club.
Day 7 Friday 14th June (6 lockss) To Pelsall Common
Leave Longwood on the Daw End canal to Catshill Junction, turn right and go through Brownhills to moor at the BCNS Pelsall rally on Pelsall Common.
BCNS mooring wardens will be on hand to assist and give advice on mooring for the festival.
Nice Photos Bob, what wonders lie on our doorstep.
Wonderful pics Bob, and inspirational 🙂