Himley to Baggeridge - a popular Black Country walk

Mention this walk to most people from the Black Country and they will say they know it. Here's why: 

The walk starts in Himley Hall park. By the lake.

Then, past the Hall itself - once the home of the Earls of Dudley. (It's now publicly owned and is a very popular place for walking, sailing and generally visiting).
This is the haha  - a boundary which separates the garden, but can't be seen from the house.

The Hall's gardens are beautiful

...and Capability Brown's landscaping gives great views of the lake he created

The house, with lake beyond.

Behind the house is this lovely water garden

This was once the stable block: I love the wonky clock tower.

The walk continues up past pools...

... and landscaped waterfalls - from a period later than Capability Brown

Plenty of fishing platforms 

The sign announces the arrival at Baggeridge Country Park

This whole area was once owned by the Earl of Dudley - and around here was the site of a huge colliery.

The mine closed in 1968, and the South Staffs Council designated it as a country park

It's amazing how quickly nature has taken over this site

This bridge once carried part of the pit railway

The dense trees make the area's recent past difficult to believe.

This is one of the clues - some ashy soil.

The view from the top of the mound in the previous picture

The park is quite extensive and deserves to be explored properly in a future blog.

Like most people, I walked back the way I came - back to Himley and the car park. 

But ever the hungry type, I noticed the advertisement for cream teas - mentally storing it for a future occasion

Today's walk: Starting at the car park at Himley, follow the pools by Ward House (with the clock tower) Head straight on, past the pols. There are various routes in Baggeridge Park - and there is a cafe there. Return by the same route and the walk will be roughly 4 miles depending on your exact route.