Oldsme one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Although this route is very much in the heart of the Black Country, it was a delightful walk along the canal that was for the most part very quiet.
Previous reviewers noted the temporary closure of the footpath between Spon Lane and Steward Aqueduct; as of mid-September it’s still closed, and shows no indications of reopening any time soon. The diversion along the older (pre-Telford) canal was however very easy to follow, and did not detract from an enjoyable afternoon.

I walked this route on 6.08.22. It's a brilliant Slow Way and I don't have much to add to the below reviews! The tow path was temporarily closed between Steward Aqueduct and Spon Lane due to a crumbling wall, but you can easily rejoin the path at Spon Lane. This route is lovely, lots to see and sensory in many ways - tunnel light and acoustics, sound of water and birdsong. Magic! Would defo recommend.

One of the best Slow Ways I've ever walked! A joy to walk and scores highly in the qualities a Slow Way should have. The walk out of Oldbury is fairly functional along the main road but having the passed Sandwell and Dudley Railway Station (direct trains to Edinburgh and London, not just local stations) you walk down the side of the car park and follow a track to the towpath of the main branch of the Birmingham Canal. The walk from there was incredibly relaxing. The faint sound of the M5 (even as you walk under it) and the occasional clatter of passing trains on the early evening autumn wind accompanying a walk through the wooded scene. Nature abounds, and it was particularly joyous to see our first cormorant of the day. That's the walk basically, until you get to Smethwick where you take steps to climb the bank, cross a road and then a pedestrian bridge on to the High Street. Smethwick offers some good food options, (there was a queue at the Sweet Centre). In 4km, 3 of which are offroad, you access bus routes, 3 railway stations (Galton Bridge is accessible via steps from the canal and Rolfe Street is at the end of the route), wildlife, industrial history (Galton Valley Pumping Station) and it's one of the easiest Slow Ways I've ever had to follow! Magic! Full marks.

I can't add anything to the reviews above by Pddys and David - a really good Slow Ways route. Thoroughly enjoyed walking it.

A short and sweet route mostly following canal towpath.

The route passes many significant pieces of urban canal infrastructure - both modern and historical. This includes going underneath the M5 and the Spon Lane junction, underneath Smethwick Galton Bridge, through the Summit tunnel, underneath the Summit Bridge, and past the Galton Valley Pumping Station, and some Ironworks bridges.

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