Walsto two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this route today travelling south from Walsall. Despite it being an urban route, it is good, and you can rely on the plotting if you download the gpx file to your device.

The other excellent reviews sum the route up very well. It's split into three rough sections. The first can be described as getting to Bescot stadium, the middle section as negotiating the Motorway, the railway and the River Tame, and then finally suburbia on the route into Stone Cross.

It can be recommended, it has a lot of steps in the middle section, and I would be happy to do it again if I had to.

I can't really add much to the two excellent reviews already posted on this route. The route is safe and generally easy to follow particularly with the advice given in the reviews for navigating the section around Bescot stadium and sidings. The short section walking beside the M6 just before J9 is somewhat surreal but memorable. Overall a very enjoyable SlowWays route and very much recommended.

I had linked five Slows Ways to walk Walsall to Halesowen filling a gap in my waylist. All routes already had a good review so I concur that they are good or adequate plots. There is a serious lack of signs at the end of twitchells (urban cut throughs). The surface is generally roadside pavement and crossings of major roads are mostly good. This is urban walking no stiles or cattle but some steps. Plenty of shops along the way but no loos noted however the routes are short if used individually. The review guidance asks "would you walk it again", my answer has to be, not by choice only necessity but I did enjoy the one off exploring and found plenty of interest along the way.

On my last visit to the Walsall meeting place I missed the transport hub which straddles the main shopping street. Having arrived by bus this time it all became obvious so I went to locate the rail station, just because I like to know my surroundings. It was market day as I headed off, passing the fine row of shops that could be Tunbridge Wells and further down the street a birth more likely to be associated with that southern spa town.

The Henry Boys almshouses caught my eye and I wondered how Henry had made his cash to erect and endow them. I was also attracted to the street name signs which appear to have been built into the houses. I'm used to obstructions on the pavements, usually parked cars, the tree was a new one and immoveable.

I overshot the path from Bescot stadium because it has no footpath sign, but then it's not on the map as a footpath, it's the pedestrian station approach which has a good surface. The plot is fine but needs care to cross the River Tame, a motorway and two rail lines. As reported there are steps and the paths are fenced so not fully friendly. I spotted mature men standing on the bridge and soon found out why as a steam engine passed by, chaperoned by a diesel. A heron stood by the river side so I had to assume the Tame has fish. Some of this switchback route is recorded as footpath but not all so it was no surprise to find no signage as I returned to the estate road.

It's then road all the way. A few more shops and a crossing of the arrow straight Tame Valley Canal, past houses erected by Church Army Housing, information can be found online. Arriving at Stone Cross I found that Christmas preparations were well in hand. I do hope I've whetted your interest in this Slow Way.

A short and reasonably simple stroll. The route starts out through the streets of southern Walsall and you are well off for stops and shops. The only slightly tricky section to follow is near the Bescot Stadium where you have to cross the M6, The River Tame and the railway line! The original version I walked came a cropper here but it is possible. Having crossed the car park as if to go to Bescot Stadium railway station you walk under the M6 and then turn right and follow the footpath. By a barely noticeable sign you are instructed to go up some stairs which take you up to the level of the motorway. There is a solid concrete wall between you and the traffic but it is quite strange to walk the 10 or so metres beside the carriageway. Another set of steps take you down to the path and then another set take you up and over the railway! On the other side, a footpath takes you to the edge of residential Wednesbury. It's pavement all the way from there and Hall Green Road soon has you at Stone Cross, the north of West Brom. There are plenty of food options as well as a pub. The route is direct and I felt safe throughout. I wonder if there could be a more accessible route which runs via Tame Bridge Parkway but that's for another day. A pass. Four stars.

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