Wesgre three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from Great Barr to West Bromwich. Quite an enjoyable route, pretty good for a suburban one, the only downsides being the road walking at either end and the motorway noise. The route is surfaced throughout apart from a short section which avoids the road east of Dartmouth Park., There are some steps between the car park and Dartmouth Park which can be avoided by taking a more circuitous route.

Leaving the Great Barr meeting point (I didn't hang around as there were no free seats in the bus shelter), we go some distance west along Newton Road, passing over the Tame Valley canal. At a pelican crossing, we cross to Hamstead Road, which we cross then turn right down it, turning left into Hembs Crescent and going straight on into Johns Grove, where we enter the Sandwell Valley park and follow the cycle track left. This follows the river Tame, crossing under a railway bridge and emerging past Forge Mill Lake on the left. By the lake we cross the river right then turn left and follow the surfaced cycle track onto Park Lane. We cross the road and pass to the right of the boat club building, then bear right up to the aptly named Swan Pool, where we bear right again and follow the path around the north and west sides of the lake, then continue south, ignoring the first bridge right over the M5 and taking the second, which is reached up a long ramp. This leads us to the car park below the reservoir in Dartmouth Park. The shortest way up to it uses a flight of steps, and we continue up the hill and past the war memorial to emerge on Reform Street, where we turn left, crossing the A41 bridge and going half right over a pelican crossing into Bull Street. At another pelican crossing we turn right into the pedestrianised High Street, then left at St Michael Street and left again beyond the bus station to reach the West Bromwich meeting point.

Another very good slow ways route
Taking you through Sandwell Valley Country Park and easy to follow very enjoyable.

This is a really pleasant walk and,, apart from a little pavement plodding at either end, is surprisingly rural for the majority of the route taking in municipal parkland and the Sandwell Valley Country Park . Much of the route follows The Beacon Way, footpaths are firm and well surfaced and take you alongside the River Tame past lakes and quite close to 2 urban farms and an RSPB centre. Both ends of the walk provide opportunities for food and drink and access to public transport links.

A short and relatively sweet Slow Way which makes the most of the string of parks and reserves around the M5. We started from Great Barr. The route follows the pavement of the Newton Road, but not for too long. You get some great views across to downtown Birmingham to your left and various Black Country settlements across the way. Having left the main road, there is a short residential section which delivers you via kissing gate into Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve. The path is paved, and it follows the course of the River Tame. It's a popular and friendly spot and is excellent for bird watching. Having crossed Park Lane, a fast but not very busy road you then go round Swan Pool in Sandwell Valley Country Park. As the path goes parallel with the M5, with only trees to baffle the sound, you become aware of your proximity to the M5. It's soon crossed by footbridge and you encounter first Sandwell Park Farm and then cross the delightful Dartmouth Park. From the edge of the park it's pavements and crossings all the way to the home straight of West Bromwich High Street. This Slow Way is certainly direct and safe, and considering its location, incredibly offroad. Most of the food and shop options are at the West Bromwich end but it's only a short walk and is not critical. It also links the Scott Arms with West Bromwich Bus Station so is well linked to transport. A great option!.

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