ShenstoneTamworth

Shetam two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By David Sanderson on 02 May 2021


Distance

14km/9mi

Ascent

232m

Descent

199m

Download this route

Are you sure you want to download this route?

Using a GPX file for the first time?

No, back to route

Give a hike

Pledge to walk this route and help firm up its place in the network - every walk helps.

So far it has been reviewed by three people and surveyed by one person and

No other people have pledged to review this route.

Your pledged routes will show up in your pledges Waylist.

Every review and survey pledged and then walked will help make the Slow Ways network better, thank you for your help!

Sign up or log in to pledge to walk this route.

Back to route

Save to Waylist

Sign up or log in to save this route so you can find it more easily or plan a longer journey.

More options

Save to my account

Sign up or log in to save this route so you can find it more easily or plan a longer journey.

Print (via Inkatlas)

Survey this route

Review this route

Suggest a better route

Report a problem

Description

Replacement for Shetam One. This route takes you southeast out of Shenstone and follows lanes as far as the M6 Toll. The last lane passes under here and then a pedestrian bridge takes you over the A38 and then you cross countryside eventually emerging near Hopwas. The path here has some great views to the northwest across Staffordshire. You follow Knox's Grave Lane and then pick up the pavement of the A51 in to the village of Hopwas. Rather than continuing along the Lichfield Road into Tamworth (which would be more direct) the route briefly joins the towpath of the Coventry Canal before a series of footpaths deliver to you to the south bank of the River Tame. This is not direct but it is clearly the prettier option as you follow the wind of the river (past a number of pillboxes) into Tamworth. The entry to Tamworth is via the photogenic Lady Bridge and past the foot of the castle. At 14km and with few facilities en route, this would well be described as "The Pretty Route"

Replacement for Shetam One. This route takes you southeast out of Shenstone and follows lanes as far as the M6 Toll. The last lane passes under here and then a pedestrian bridge takes you over the A38 and then you cross countryside eventually emerging near Hopwas. The path here has some great views to the northwest across Staffordshire. You follow Knox's Grave Lane and then pick up the pavement of the A51 in to the village of Hopwas. Rather than continuing along the Lichfield Road into Tamworth (which would be more direct) the route briefly joins the towpath of the Coventry Canal before a series of footpaths deliver to you to the south bank of the River Tame. This is not direct but it is clearly the prettier option as you follow the wind of the river (past a number of pillboxes) into Tamworth. The entry to Tamworth is via the photogenic Lady Bridge and past the foot of the castle. At 14km and with few facilities en route, this would well be described as "The Pretty Route"

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Shetam two

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 4

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 3X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Maybe present Vegan restaurant (1)
Maybe present Accommodation (1)
Maybe present Accommodation < £50 (1)
Maybe present Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Maybe present Free wifi (1)
Maybe present Public phone (1)
Maybe present Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Maybe present Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Maybe present Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Maybe present Likely to flood (1)
Present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Maybe present Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

Narrowest part of path: no data

The steepest uphill gradient East: no data

The steepest uphill gradient West: no data

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

40.0% of the route is on roads (1)

5.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

40.0% of the route is paved (1)

60.0% of the route is muddy (1)

20.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)

5.0% of the route is through long grass (1)

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

3X August 2024 by Ken
Read survey

Sign up or log in to get the link to survey this route for Shetam.

Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Shenstone
Grid Ref SK1065604634
Lat / Lon 52.63936° / -1.84396°
Easting / Northing 410,656E / 304,634N
What3Words supper.makeup.zaps
Tamworth
Grid Ref SK2089903994
Lat / Lon 52.63332° / -1.69263°
Easting / Northing 420,899E / 303,994N
What3Words smiled.shops.dress

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews


Ken

29 Aug 2024 Summer

A most enjoyable walk along quiet lanes and pleasant footpaths. Some stiles and perhaps at times cattle. Safe road crossings and while HS2 work is in progress the paths remain open and very well managed.

I didn’t have high hopes of this walk but it was awaiting a snail so “go for it”. The initial road walking was off putting but after a pleasant exit from Shenstone past the shops and through the old attractive village a light controlled crossing set me off along the lane. There is evidence of vehicle made passing places and no verge but only a few cars passed me, I saw no lorries which a sign indicated left the lane at Shenstone Park.

The next section of lane was delightful, wide well mown verges with an avenue of trees like the grounds of a stately home. An impressive building ahead turns out to be a water works not the palatial pile. Back on standard lanes there remains interest and little traffic.

Crossing the busy dual carriageway is assisted by a multi-user traffic free bridge. The corner cutting path is a bit hidden and approached by what appears to be a broken down fence and ends through a house garden so needs determination from both directions as I saw no helpful signs.

Weeford church offers seats and a memorial stone to Lord Wyatt of Weeford (1918-1997) along with earlier family memorials. The inn offered an inviting smell of cooking so may do lunches. From here we are off road along a pleasant path following the Black Brook which no doubt features in many wedding photos so is more attractive than it sounds.

The walked path at Bourne House is not as plotted which follows what is shown on OS. Beware also that our route does not go up the drive that we cross, the plot is correct taking us to a parallel road.

At the old A5 we meet HS2 work but a path is clear and very easy to use and follow. We share the bridge over the 2005 A5 with construction traffic. The ground here is sand and our path takes us around a large quarry which can be overlooked if you follow the path used by other inquisitive walkers.

Knox’s Grave Lane has the mapped appearance of a Roman Road linking to Wall. It’s now a pleasant path through oak trees. To access Hopwas does require a bit of roadside walking, the traffic is noisy after the calm of the old lane but the pavement offers safety. A seat by Church Lane may suggest there are others around the church but I didn’t investigate. Inns at Hopwas also invite.

A brief section of canal towpath adds to the variety on this Slow Way. I made a mistake at the bridge because out footpath leaves the canal towpath after the bridge, not the road as we might expect. The next lane is very quite then onto another unsigned path which follows the River Tame and flood relief channel.

After passing under a road we turn right then cross a field to locate a footbridge, there is no bridge if you continue along the main river. We cross the old bridge now traffic free and enter the attractive Castle grounds before popping into the shopping street at the old market hall. As they say, just a short walk to the meeting place which has no visible seats if you are planning to join a friend.


Nigel Cull

29 Sep 2023 Autumn

A very enjoyable route taking in nice countryside and easy to follow
quite a bit of road walking at the start but then follows paths and a nice short section on the Coventry Canal and then alongside the river Trent into Tamworth
Good Slow Ways Route.


David Sanderson

02 May 2021 Spring

I had some misgivings before doing this walk (as Shetam One) because of the amount of lane walking and the lack of directness of the route. I was, however, won over. Shenstone is a pretty village and is quite well served for shops, make the most of them if you are short of anything. The lanes were largely open and quiet, the only place where I felt at all concerned was at the turn from Park Lane into Little Hay Lane. An advantage of this route is that a number of major road crossings, M6 Toll, A38 and A5 are all eliminated by an underpass and two pedestrian bridges. You pass through the village of Weeford, the bistro there, in a gorgeous setting next to the Black Brook offers "relaxed dining" although I'm not sure if they have walkers in mind! It was as I exited Church Wood that I came across my first encounter with HS2. The route through Buck's Head Farm is fenced in by HS2. Buck's Head is a beautiful spot with great views across the county I stopped here for a bit and drank some water to a chorus of larks. Picking up Knox's Grave Lane the route undulates past a massive pig farm on one side and quarry workings on the other (Shetam One directs you through the quarry which is forbidden). I dropped down to Hopwas where I had another misgiving about the route. By this stage my feet were quite sore and rather than following the road onwards directly into Tamworth which you can see ahead, the route takes you down the canal and then via a series of paths delivers you to the south side of the Tame. Again, I was won over. The path along the Tame is well marked, abundant in wildlife, and popular with friendly locals. It also has an amazing amount of old pillboxes and intriguing entrances to a tunnel system (closed off). It's a very photogenic way to enter Tamworth via Lady Bridge and through the Castle Grounds. The meeting spot was under two market stalls when I got there so that might become a concern but that was not for me to worry about. Route approved!.


Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.

Overall ratings

3 reviews


1 reviews

2 reviews

0 reviews

0 reviews

0 reviews

Show all


Other Routes for Shenstone—Tamworth See all Slow Ways

Shenstone—Tamworth

Shetam one

Distance

14km/9mi

Ascent

162 m

Descent

131 m

Review this better route and help establish a trusted network of walking routes.

Suggest a better route if it better meets our methodology.

See all routes from Shenstone.

See all routes from Tamworth.