Stourton to Bratch along the Monarch's Way. Part 2 Hinksford onwards

Leaving Greensforge behind, we passed under Hinksford Bridge.

...and on to Hinksford Lock, and its low bridge. Many boats have to take down their chimneys for bridges like these

A little later is Botterham Staircase: two locks together without an intervening piece of water

The boat is in one lock, and you can see the next lock through the bridge.

Circular overflow.

The well known Waggon and Horses in Wombourne - and a brand new house opposite it. Great place to live if you like a quick pint!

Further into Wombourne, we loved Narrowboat Sapphire's beautiful canalside garden 

 Another lovely canalside property

Th Round Oak pub - it was really busy as we passed, but what a shame about the graffiti on the bridge

The fabulously named Bumblehole Bridge

Buttercups on the bridge

The Tollhouse at Bratch. I visited Bratch about 2 weeks ago in sunnier weather (Click here to see more photos of that visit)

The canal was once very busy with working boats - even the stone steps are worn.

The toll house is where the lock-keeper hangs out.

Here he is: his friend said he was "king of the canals" round here. But he could have been joking...

I sat down for a rest myself. 7.5 miles of walking done. And egg and chips for tea! I love my life...

To continue the Monarch's Way, I leave the canal at this point. 
The Monarch's Way is a 600+ mile long distance path following the approximate route of King Charles after he was defeated at the Battle of Worcester. More details here
Other links:

• earlier visit to Bratch
• yesterday's walk (Stourton to Greensforge)
• canal walk on BCN near Dudley Port
• Canal walk in Tividale

Today's walk: The Monarch's Way follows the Staffs and Worcs Canal from Stourton Junction to Bratch. Navigation is easy. Distance about 7 miles. We left a car at either end. Recommended walk: very easy and can be done in half a day. Plenty of pubs to slow you down if you wish!

Stourton to Bratch along the Monarch's Way

This is another of my May canal walks, but it also ties in with the Monarch's Way, a long distance path which I am walking a bit at a time.

So here is the start of today's section: Stourton Junction (where the Stourbridge Canal meets the Staffs and Worcs, just down from the Stewponey)

Stourton locks

  
Aqueduct over the River Stour...

...as explained by the sign on the far side

Much of this section has sides carved out of sandstone

The canalside plants are at their most lush at the moment. This is comfrey.

I think this is speedwell (please say if you know different)

Gothersley Bridge

The canal is just beautifully green at the moment, even on a dull day.

Bluebells just visible on the far bank

A boat negotiating Rocky Lock

Ashwood Nurseries is a popular Black Country spot. These are the backs of the green houses. The plants sold are of very good quality but a lot of people go to the cafe - fantastic: the cake portions are enormous!

Not surprisingly, the gardens are well designed and tended, and not visible from the road or the garden centre

More of the garden 

Just by the Navigation pub at Greensforge, a great mooring spot

Dandelion clocks

More tomorrow. Click here for the second half of this walk
Click here to see other walks

The Monarch's Way (click for more details) is a long distance path which traces the route of King Charles as he escaped after the Battle of Worcester. It was originally established by Trevor Antill, and is marked on Ordnance Survey maps. This is section 5, and is 7 miles easy walking.

Today's walk: Park at the bridge at the junction of the A449 and the A458 (the old Stewponey), leaving another car at Bratch(Wombourne). Follow the Staffs and Worcs Canal the whole way. About 7 miles. Or you can walk to the Navigation pub and return, either by the same route, or by walking along Greensforge Lane. These routes are both 6 miles.

On the Sheepwalks - an easy walk with stunning views

At the junction of Sheepwalks Lane, and Hollies Lane (they are on the Ordnance Survey map, or find them on your sat nav) is this stile which opens directly onto the Sheepwalks

It lives up to its name - sheep everywhere

Sheep did their best to pose for pictures!

The views are extensive: the tiny lump on the skyline is Turners Hill, the highest point of the West Midlands. It has a radio mast on it, but you can't see it from this distance. The forested area in front is the Million, half in sun, half shadow

The paths are not easy to follow, but you won't get lost - just keep to the top and you eventually reach some signposts. Clent in the background, Kinver Edge is the wooded area on the right, in sunshine. 

The sky clouded over

I love these sheep sheltering from the wind in this old tree.

It's easy to miss the ruins of this old folly, hidden in the trees

Looking to Shropshire - Brown Clee. Recognisable for its long shape with a saddle in the middle. In good visibility you can see radio masts on its summit.

Just peeping through the trees is Titterstone Clee - recognised by its steep right hand edge - and in good visibility the radio "golf balls" on  the summit.

A spooky log. Is it a snake - or a dragon?

Click to see the other half of this walk, along Sheepwalks Lane
Or click here to go to the main site

Today's walk: if you park at the junction of Hollies Lane and Sheepwalks Lane there's no climb: you're on the summit. Just spend some time exploring the paths - official and unofficial. Fabulous views of Worcestershire's Clent and Malvern Hills, Shropshire's Clees and the Wrekin, plus Kinver Edge and the Black Country. Keep to the summit, or follow the path down to the lane and walk back up that way. In less than a mile you can see all these sights and more.

Sheepwalks Lane, Enville

I went for a quick walk between the showers. Starting here, on Sheepwalks Lane, near Enville.

I came down this path on my return, but first I walked along the road

A timeless scene of calves and cows  

 The verges were packed with flowers

The road is narrow and very little used: I didn't see a car at all.

The Sheepwalks tower above the lane

Very hilly country (The picture looks slanted, but it's upright - look at the fenceposts)

Oilseed rape field. On the horizon are the Cotswolds, with the long hump of Bredon Hill on the right.

It's a fairly modern crop, but oilseed rape seems to have become a part of the English countryside in late Spring

Such a beautiful lane - could be a hundred years ago

Tomorrow, I venture onto the Sheepwalks themselves.
Mobile users, click here for more walks

Today's walk: Parking halfway along Sheepwalks Lane, I walked along the road until the junction, then turned back on the path leading along the Sheepwalks - I explored the paths up there, and then returned to the car along the path in the second picture here. About 2.5 miles, depending on where you walk.