Gothersley to Stourton - a canal walk

At the canal near Gothersley, the Smestow Brook runs very close - it occasionally floods into the nearby fields - like this lagoon!

But mostly it is separated by the canal by some rough scrubland

Not far from the bridge is this round structure. No explanation, or sign of any kind.

But I do know that orignally there was a sign here, explaining that it was part of an ironworks

Here's what it looked like about 30 years ago. We always called it Rapunzel's Tower, but I think that was just my family!

Gothersley bridge

The beautiful surrounding countryside. Greensforge Lane runs by the hedge in the middle

Hazel catkins  just starting to turn green

How red is this soil?

And here's the reason: another sandstone cutting

I'm intrigued by this door hidden behind the creeper

The aqueduct over the River Stour, where it is joined by the Smestow Brook

This house has its own lake

Reaching Stourton

The junction of the Stourbridge Canal with the Staffs and Worcs canal

Strange to think how industrial all this area was once.

Now peaceful and leafy

A glimpse of Stourton Castle through the trees. It was involved in the Civil War, and was also the birthplace of Cardinal Pole, who went on the become Archbishop of Canterbury

Stewponey Lock in the sunshine

Walk details: This is the final part of the walk described in a leaflet from the now-disappeared Kinver Light railway. It's 6 miles if you walk from Stewponey Lock, up the hill, turning right into Greensforge Lane, following it till you reach the Navigation pub and the return by canal. Or if you join the canal at Gothersley, it's 2.8 miles. Greensforge Lane is surprisingly nice to walk. Though it's a road, it's very quiet, through lovely countryside.
A great walk for doing in bad weather, as the canal towpath is in good condition.
The original leaflet: (And the walk is definitely NOT 4 miles!)