Brolic two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

A real mixed bag of a walk, some very nice bits, other stretches need serious cutting back around stiles. Two sections of road walking but both with pavements. No cattle seen. A seat and tap at Hammerwich church other services close to each end.

I walked from Brownhills having found the meeting place a bit remote from the town centre. Did someone make a mistake when placing the miner, he appears to be facing in the wrong direction. Pictures of the railway are worth a look at the approach to the excellent trail along the old line. It’s in quite a cutting so not a lot to see but the path is wide and open and the surface good.

It’s an interesting over bridge where we depart because it has a bath holding the water of the canal above. The towpath walk is brief but offers the essential link to the A5 Watling Street. It’s noisy but safe along the pavement on the north side but a shame the railway path can’t continue and use the massive redundant bridge over the M6 Toll Road.

From the A5 bridge over the Toll Road there is a view of the aqueduct awaiting restoration of the Lichfield canal. I wanted to cross for a better picture but self preservation prevented the attempt. The footpath is signed but as usual traffic safety trumps pedestrian convenience and we have to step over a barrier (path obstruction). Steps down the steep overgrown bank would also assist passage to the overgrown stile.

I guess three seasons growth since David walked this way has not attention to trim, it’s likely to get worse. Crossing over the old rail route with the overgrown track still in place things start to get better along a pleasant green lane to Hammerwich. We pass the church which offers seats and for hot days a tap.

A short section of road on the edge of the village and I missed sight of the windmill, now a house. Hall Lane starts well with a sign but after house access it is overgrown. The first field wild edge encourages a bit of deviation while the boundary cross needs the plot to locate it through the overgrown hedge.

Excellent signage by Hammerwich Parish Council but can we have a bit of cutting back around the stiles please. I was apprehensive about the path passing the sewage works but got a pleasant surprise as this was clear. However, a notice on the north side stated the path would be closed for six months from 28th September and there is no alternative route. Phew! Work hadn’t started and it was October.

The footpath becomes a bridleway along Broad Lane which improved as I approached the road. No sign of the path opposite although the plot uses the gate and I was forced to take that option. Soon there is good evidence of regular use and the paths are easy to follow even across a very recently cultivated field.

The road is straight into Lichfield with pavement and a buffer of cycle track on the road. We miss the main town so if you haven’t visited Lichfield I recommend a detour. Otherwise it’s traffic all the way passing the rear of impressive alms houses before arriving at the train station and close to buses.

Another good Slow Ways. The route is easy to follow with little road walking. Starting in Brownhills along McClean Way, the old railway line from Lichfield to Walsall onto a short stretch of the Anglesey Branch of the Wyrley and Essington Canal. Then onto the roman road Watling Street (the A5) care needed when crossing. The descent from the A5 is a little bit of an issue but with care can be achieved. Then around the field to cross the old railway line were the footpath a little overgrown. Following on good paths through Hammerwich to Lichfield. Overall an enjoyable route.

A walk starting by the statue of Jigger, the Brownhills miner near shops and pubs of Brownhills. It takes you along an old railway, a canal, a roman road, through countryside to Lichfield passing through the village of Hammerwich (nearest settlement to where the Staffordshire Hoard was found). The final section in Lichfield takes you past a number of restaurants and pubs along with 15th century buildings.

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