Weststo one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from West Bromwich to Stone Cross. An easy direct safe route, mostly on pavements and entirely on hard surfaces. Two short sections offer a little relief from roads, one through a small park, the other through a cemetery which may be locked at night and in the evenings.

The route is easy to follow. From West Bromwich bus station we turn right up St Michael Street and left onto High Street, which we follow out past the Town Hall and the Memorial Gardens then turn right beyond Lidl onto Shaftesbuury Street, which crosses under the busy A41 through an underpass. We then follow residential roads round to Haig Street, and continue through Gengars Park. We then turn right onto Church Lane and follow Vicarage Road to a T junction where we go straight on into Heath Lane cemetery. Beyond the buildings we turn right to exit the cemetery, then turn left up Walsall Street which leads us easily to the Stone Cross meeting point.

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. 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

Stone Cross had Christmas preparations well in hand at the meeting point where a good selection of shops are on offer including the local branch of The WestBrom.

The cemetery paths offer a break from the roads and a lessening of the noise. A tap in the grounds offers a top up of my water bottle. Some impressive memorials both old and modern the latter supplied by the funeral director close by the entrance gate.

A short section of green was marred by a few who consider the area the household waste site despite the Council's attempts to prevent vehicle access. My fascination of street names signs is again rekindled and perhaps I should investigate the theme.

The 'iconic' Society House, so says the developer of 105 apartments. Built by the West Bromwich Building Society as their Headquarters from 1978. One website describes it as Art Deco which may have some influence while built during the Brutalist era and shades of the now demolished Bradford and Bingley HQ.

A short walk, passing the 1928 HQ of the building society then onto the bus station opposite the Billiard Hall and round the corner to the meeting point close to the metro.

I always love it when a Slow Way produces a surprise. There's no denying that this a direct no-nonsense kind of a walk between the centre of West Bromwich and one of its suburbs but it includes a section through Charlemont Cemetery which I had never visited before. The first section is along the pavement of West Bromwich High Street, which is a bit run down, but has some interesting independent shops. The next section is through residential streets and despite some slow turns in the navigation, it is remarkably easy to follow. There's a short section of track before getting to Hateley Heath, where you join the main road. At the top of the road you access the cemetery, a peaceful and well maintained section of the walk. A turn to the right delivers you on the busy main road to the meeting place at Stone Cross. Short, direct, safe, relaxed, an interesting and beautiful section in the cemetery and stops and shops throughout. An excellent Slow Way!.

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