Grenor two

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Walked from Great Wyrley to Norton Canes. Mostly pleasant but a little wet and muddy in places, and there are several stiles.

From the meeting point by Landywood station we head east, then take a shortcut through the shopping centre to reach Hilton Lane, which we follow out to the A34. The way forward here is not signposted - the path starts just to the left of the pub and follows the edge of the field, then heads into the trees. I found a shortcut path to the exit onto Love Lane. We then follow streets out to the edge of Great Wyrley.

The footpath across the fields to the A5 can be very muddy and waterlogged - there are decaying duckboards on the last part. It also has three stiles. Cross the A5 with care and go left to find another wet and muddy field path over another stile. A lane leads us to the bridge over the M6 toll, and the footpath right beyond it is surprisingly good - a well mown grassy strip. Where a lake forces us away from the motorway, part of the path is on more duckboards, and at one point these disappear into several inches of water. Once past this point the path leads round to a lane which takes us up to Washbrook Lane.

The path into the wood is not signposted but seems well used, if a little muddy in places. It takes a straighter line than the official right of way, so trust the path not the map. Once we reach the churchyard the rest of the route into Norton Canes is on the pavements of quiet roads. There is a pelican crossing over Walsall Road just south of the junction. The Norton Canes meeting point is outside the Co-Op and like the Great Wyrley one it lacks seats.

I walked Great Wyrley (Landywood) to Norton Canes. The route is easy to follow and offers the best alternative until the more direct Grenor-1 has been sorted.

Starting from Landywood station the parade of shops includes Andy's Ale House which requires a return visit during opening hours. The path alongside The Star starts in the recreation ground but soon dives into woodland along Great Wyrley FP7. Turning back I did note the sign on the approach to estate roads "Private Road Residents Access Only" this is unadopted and unrecorded as highway which leaves Great Wyrley FP7 officially a dead end path.

Great Wyrley FP5 from Pool View has a sleeper boardwalk over some boggy ground and on the day I visited a fallen tree blocks the stile, this will be reported so please comment when it's been cleared. The crossing of the A5 was fine but not a working day so could be a problem at other times.

The path north starts as a field path with horses then joins a track to the M6 Toll footbridge. The path is still well mown and a real pleasure to walk. The unnamed lake is popular with anglers, many appear to live there in the tents! The path has an excellent boardwalk over what would otherwise be a difficult boggy section. A seat offers a rest with a view across the lake.

The official line of the footpath does not use the car park access track which explains why there is no finger post and a sign reads "Blackfords Progressive Angling Society Private Fishing - Members Only" although the kissing gate looks like a right of way standard issue.

The short section of Washbrook Lane was quiet followed by a tree lined green lane leading to the parish church where a tap allowed me to replenish the water bottle. Pavement walking from here, although I did detour along the path in Cema Park.

Starting through a residential section of Great Wyrley the route reaches the Star Pub where it crosses the A34 and cuts down a footpath through a field and into woodland. It emerges on the north side and some more residential pavement pounding is required. Crossing into a field the footpath emerges on the A5 which required patience to cross. Soon after, another series of slightly overgrown but easy to follow paths ascend to a bridge over the M6 Toll. The footpath on the other side is mown grass and very easy to follow to Kingswood Lake. The path here is dirt track and duckboard and circles around until reaching a track which you use to leave the Lakeside Area. There is a short bit of lane walking along Washbrook Lane but I found local drivers to be courteous and there is room to move to one side. After about 150m you take a footpath through woods which guides you through to the edge of Norton Canes. The route from there is via pavement and is very straightforward. In summary, this route is pleasant and reasonably direct but was designed on the fly having had to turn back from Grenor 1. If it could be improved it could be maybe more direct and have a safer crossing of the A5 but until that route is devised I would definitely recommend this one!.

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