Shefaz one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Shenstone to Fazeley, for me a walk of three parts. An excellent bit of countryside walking east of Weeford, a dull mile plus along the busy road into Fazeley and a very challenging designed path to accommodate the M6 Toll. The correct line of this Slow Way would be a fail which has to have one star, can't do no stars. Two reviewers before me got through but we shouldn't have to trespass through crops.

I'll leave the best bit to last in the hope it's that which stays in your memory. I'm not a fan of roadside walking a route I could do in the car or by bus. It was easy, ignoring the noise and on occasions a slow walk can offer points of interest missed during faster travel, not so here, except perhaps for the peek over the bridge parapet to view Fazeley canal junction and the imposing house.

The walk through Shenstone was fine although I did initially miss the narrow twitchell leading to the sports field. Crossing to the pavement on the north side of Mill Lane the sight line was blocked by a decorative bush. Called the Black Brook but the water is crystal clear as I peer over the bridge before turning onto the signed path.

It may have some initial use but the sign pointing across the field through a lush green volunteer crop of spilt Oil Seed suggests limited use. Wind socks offer a hint of flying, supported by a mown strip of grass which extends into the field to the south east (SE, yes I've been reading the forum).

From here I find it difficult to remain civil with my review. The Ordnance Survey (OS) map is not helpful as it shows the path in the field, in reality it crosses an overgrown stile onto a fenced path about four feet wide. The bushes planted as part of the works to build the road are in need of a good cut back but with care and some ducking I get through noting the pond on my left.

I fought my way right around the pond until it came close to the road from here the space between the fences was full of brambles to the height of the fence. I had no choice but to escape into the field.

Fighting my way, trespassing through the crop I eventually met a track. I went to investigate walking up to the bridge over the motorway. Here I found a flight of steps obstructed by a barrier to keep farm traffic from danger. No thought for the convenience of pedestrians accessing the steps.

Retracing my steps I found the fenced path continued and here it did show evidence of having been mown. I followed this easier walking which eventually ended at another stile which released me into an open but overgrown corner of a field.

Looking at an old version of the OS map I could see where the paths had once been before the motorway severed them. It was clear to me that the substituted path had been designed by a builder of roads determined to resolve the issue of an inconvenient footpath that dared to cross the path of their project. Little if any thought went into how to maintain this long section of fenced path and little evidence that the essential maintenance programme has been drawn up.

Joining the unaffected path across a field, distance from the confounded Toll road increased, but not for long. A track took me to the road passing Thickbroom Farm. Then under the Toll to the A38. A mounting block holds a plaque to Alan Woollatt of the Cyclists Touring Club (CTC) whose efforts helped to make this crossing (of the A38) safe for cyclists, pedestrians and horses.

Safely across the bridge over the busy fast dual carriageway a gap in the fence secretly leads to a stile for a short cross field path, also unsigned at the far end. Hungary Lane takes the Slow Way into Weeford where the churchyard offers seats for the weary traveller. The School House Restaurant / Manley's Brasserie appeared to cater mainly for events, weddings and functions, not passing walkers.

From here the whinging stops, well almost. The delightful footpath from Weeford takes slightly higher ground following the Black Brook across fields and through woodland to Hints, without doubt a five star plus walk. Another churchyard seat, if required. School Lane leads to the Village Nursery, that's plants, not children. The intriging cast boundary sign in David's picture doesn't mark a county boundary so perhaps it records the Highway Authority's (HA) road and bridge limit of responsibility.

Site notices here show footpaths which will be closed for the duration of constructing the High Speed Two (HS2) rail route. I couldn't see that paths used by this Slow Way are affected but check the website before leaving home is the best advice I can offer. Equally get out and enjoy these excellent peaceful paths while you can. South of Hints there is a good network of footpaths including the Heart of England Way which explains why these paths showed evidence of being well walked.

Another good Slow Ways route through great countryside. The route is easy to follow and the woods at Hints were covered with bluebells on the day i walked in late April.
Around Round Wood the path is very overgrown and is been cleared, but you may need to to climb over the fence to avoid the brambles at one point. Enjoyable walk.

Starting from the Fazeley end the route is direct and easy to follow. You are walking along the pavement of Watling Street through Fazeley (bigger than I thought) and then Mile Oak, where I made the most of the shop and regretted not going to the chip shop. The first section is functional and traffic goes by at 40mph, but compared to the stress of the country lane walking I'd just done on Sutfaz 2, it was quite relaxing. Crossing the A453 took a little care as there are no pedestrian crossings but was actually easier than I thought it would be. Not long after that the route goes offroad and crosses country passing through the villages of Hints and then Weeford, passing over the A38 by bridge and under the M6 Toll by underpass. This is a really enjoyable walk, beautiful, safe and relaxing. The penultimate section has view of the destination of Shenstone across the fields. Strangely, on the day I walked it, they were covered in reflective material which made Shenstone look as if it were across water from me. At this stage the walk was an absolute nailed on 5 star route but the section by Round Wood is overgrown, and following it relies on where people have trodden the fence down. The very last section crosses a field and then goes through Shenstone via a park and past a couple of pubs to the meeting place by the station. Definitely one I'd recommend wearing boots for and there are a number of stiles, so not accessible for all. If the path by the M6 Toll could be sorted out this would be an excellent Slow Way. There is a little lane walking, but not much, and the local drivers seem well behaved. Shops are at either end and a bistro in Weeford, although that seems to cater more for special events. There seems an injustice that I've given this route the same score as a route which I enjoyed far less (Sutfaz) but maybe this shows the width of a 4 star score. Sutfaz wasn't quite bad enough to earn 3 stars (my minimum pass) and the problems around Round Wood meant this walk just missed out on a perfect score. This is a welcome addition to Slow Ways. I'd definitely walk it again!.

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