Oxley Two Canals walk - near Wolverhampton

I started this lovely walk at Oxley Moor Bridge, (WV10 6TX)

The rusty plaque explains that the previous bridge lasted for two centuries before being replaced, reminding me of the great age of our canals.

Oxley Boat Yard from the bridge

Turning into the Shropshire canal here, the traditional boat makes this look like an old scene.

I carried on along the Staffs and Worcs Canal - very green and rural, despite its proximity to Wolverhampton.

Marsh Lane Bridge

This section of canal is only one boat wide. Cut out of sandstone, it's known as Pendeford Rockin',* (or sometimes, the Narrows) and runs for almost half a mile, with two passing places.

The colours are not really autumnal yet.

On one side is a large nature reserve

The canal goes under the M54...

...but soon returns to being rural

At Coven Heath Bridge, I left the canal, aiming to follow the Monarch's Way across country to join the Shropshire Union Canal.

The Monarch's Way signs are tiny, but easy enough to follow.

I turned left onto this lane for about 1/4 mile, ..

...and then turned on to this bridle way (Monarch's Way sign visible)

The bridleway goes for quite a long way.

I liked this sign "This way". Saves time deciding what to do!

Back to the M54. This time over the top.

The bridleway eventually arrived at Pendeford Caravan Park, once the site of Pendeford Hall.

A short walk along Pendeford Mill Lane,...

...and I was back on a canal. This time the Shropshire Union.

I sat here to have my lunch. Perhaps the site of an old bridge?

Then under the newer bridge

Past Wolverhampton Boat Club 

Again, the canal is very rural.

There are paths on both sides.

For late September, the weather was glorious

The hopeful ducks were soon disappointed; I had nothing to feed them with.

Reflections

Coming up to Autherley Junction, where the Shropshire Union meets the Staffs and Worcs.

The bridge lifts to allow boats into the work area. 

There's a great shop - coffee and ice cream, as well as souvenirs.

The old toll house, handily placed to catch boats starting up "the Shroppie"

This is a stop lock, with barely a rise. It was there to slow boats down, and to stop the Shropshire canal using too much water from the Staffs and Worcs.

This was a good walk. 7 miles in total. Recommended, and easy to follow. Would be even better in a few weeks with more autumn colours .

* three sources put this as the name of this cutting, but a fourth source says that this is the name of the narrow section on the Shropshire Union canal. I've gone with the majority.

Today's walk: Start at Oxley Moor Bridge, and follow the Staffs and Worcs until the next bridge after the motorway. Turn left, following small but distinct Monarch's Way signs along a lane. After 1/4 mile turn left onto a bridleway. Follow this this for 1.25 miles until the Pendeford Caravan park. Turn left onto the road, and right at the junction, on the Wobaston/Pendeford Mill Road. After about half a mile, the road crosses the canal.Turn left onto the canal and follow the canal (Shropshire Union) back to your starting point. Coffee and icecream, at Autherley Junction,just before the walk ends. 7 miles

Clickthe links below for other walks in in the Wolverhampton area;
Compton canal walk
Wombourne to Oaken

Mobile users: To see other walks in the Black Country, click here. If you're viewing on a computer, it's the menu at the side.

Canal Circular - Prestwood

This wonderful 4 mile walk is well worth doing, especially at the moment with the trees beginning to turn autumnal. It's very easy to follow and makes a great walk (About 2 hours)

Start off by Stewponey Lock, on the Staffs and Worcs Canal. (There's parking in a lay-by right beside it)
I walked this way, past the white house.

...admiring the autumn tints on the way.

I crossed this bridge

 ...to join the Stourbridge Canal.

The walk passes these lovely locks.

This is the (ugly) road bridge under the A449. 

The passing motorists are within metres of this picture, but they probably don't know. 

There were a few narrow boats on the move as I walked.

There were also these cyclists

They are taking part in one of the Over 50s cycling sessions run weekly(Click here for more details) 

It looked great fun

They all stopped for a breather

 ...but were soon ready to set off.

At the bridge, I turned left, past Saunders Scrapyard...

and along a rutted road,...  

...across the A449 and into these gates.

The cows were too interested in the food to notice me

A bridge across the River Stour

There is a very small bit of new housing down here - though rather dwarfed by the massive pine trees

This is the site of the old Prestwood Hall, which later became a TB sanatorium, and then burned down. This is what was rebuilt.

The grounds were rather lovely.

Past the Hall, the private road (with a right of way which I'd been following) becomes a path. Looks like the squirrels have been busy

The path reaches this path, and I turned left

On reaching the canal bridge, I turned left again. 

The wooded setting is just stunning.

The Smestow brook running by the canal.

Beautiful red sandstone cliffs, typical of this part of the Staffs and Worcs Canal 

The aqueduct over the river Stour, which joins with Smestow Brook shortly afterwards. The cows are the ones I saw earlier, still round their feeding station

More beautiful scenery

Dappled sunlight

And after a four mile walk, a return to Stewponey Lock, and the start of the walk.

Today's walk: Highly recommended. Park in the lay-by on the A458, where it crosses the A449. Turn left on to the canal, and walk to the first bridge. Then cross it, to join the Stourbridge canal. Follow it to the first canal bridge after the locks, and turn right down an unmade road. Cross the A449 and over into the private road which leads to Prestwood Hall. Past the hall, the road becomes a path. Follow it round the edge of a field, to a T junction with a sandy bridle path. Turn left, and and you reach the canal bridge, turn left onto the Staffs and Worcs canal. Follow it back to your starting point. Four miles - I defy you not to like it! There's a cafe set back from the traffic lights, if you want some post-walk sustenance!

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