Bilwil one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I completed this walk yesterday travelling south from Willenhall. At 1.77 miles, it's amongst the shorter slow ways available. As previously stated in other reviews, it's extremely straightforward. I chose to use the path going clockwise around the main roundabout which does require care to cross.

The groundworks for the new Willenhall rail station are well underway and will clearly benefit the town when it eventually opens. As urban walks go, i've walked down worse pavements which has the occasional tree to break the trawl. Several interesting buildings towards the Bilston end to take your interest. Not much more to say other than it can be recommended on a wet day or following heavy rainfall.

So simple you could do it blindfolded, good job because the plotting is poor. Good surfaces throughout and adequate road crossing.

A visit to the churchyard passing the white Wren style church, I hope I got my architecture correct. Once on the main road the former prosperity of Bilston is on display. I gave up taking pictures of all the imposing buildings, it was a feast for the eyes and added great interest to the walk.

The grandeur fades as we gain distance from the town but the simple Art Deco building with a name and crest offered the last puzzle which Google answers. A company, founded in 1872, originally called Bradley & Co. Ltd., changed its name to Beldray Ltd. and the crest is a bell on a dray. It closed in 2005 having mainly made domestic holloware but also became famous for its ironing boards!

I'm not sure I took the correct path to cross the major road below, there is a well used path across the middle but there may also be pavements around the edge, the plot is no help.

Turning off it's still a pavement alongside a road that crosses the railway at the site of Willenhall station under construction. Like many of these West Midland towns it can be difficult to know where the centre is but I'm sure the station will be well used when complete.

The route ends at a T junction again on the fringe of shops but no quibble, if I'd wanted I could have stayed and explored each of the lock making workshop sites indicated by a mass of red dots on the display board.

An outrageously simple Slow Way. No stiles or steps. Pretty well all pavement. Mostly very safe, but the crossing of the roundabout over the Keyway could be a challenge at busy times. Many many food and drink options in Bilston, and quite a few in Willenhall as well as along the way. Some interesting buildings at the Bilston end. The plotting is a bit vague in places but is never misleading so does not lose a star for it.

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