15/1/12 - Bagging Caches in Baggeridge

Distance - 9 Miles
Geocaches - 6
Walk from - CW Magazine (March 2007)
Doghead Parishes - Baggeridge, Gospel End, Himley, Wombourne and the most Black Country of them all, Gornal.

Baggeridge

Saturday's walking was curtailed by another university visit to Cardiff.  This is fast becoming a second home to us.  Hopefully, the interview will be successful, when Ellie is convinced I will be buying a second home for her.  Today, I wanted to go somewhere a bit more unusual but couldn't face another long drive.  A visit into the black country is like another planet anyway - so this route from CW Magazine was perfect.

The instructions suggested parking at the Crooked House pub - but as it's 9am, I thought it might be better to go to Baggeridge Country Park instead.  A mistake.... due to a row with a parking machine it ended up costing me £3.90.

Start off by walking southwards through Baggeridge Woods.  There are a few caches in the woods, some found on a previous visit.  Pick up three by the time that I get to the pools.

Too cold for the doodle

This has been great walking.  Frequently meet up with other dog walkers and see that the de rigeur pooch in this part of the world is a staffordshire bull terrier.  You would be surprised at how they can bounce up at you when they get excited.

The pools lead into the grounds of Himley Hall.  Plenty of history at this stately home but my favourite bit of information was that a former occupant was called Dud Dudley.  Double Dud to his mates.

Once visited by Charles 1.  Once owned by the coal board.

Then we have a bit of evil road walking.  Its not too bad, as there is a footpath, but after the tranquilty of the woods, it's a bit noisy.  It does serve a purpose though as it takes me to Gornal and to the Crooked House pub.

It must be more than 20 years ago that I last visited here.  We used to drive up in my green mark II ford escort listening to tapes of the latest indie bands on a Sunday night - when a third consecutive night in the Swan got too much.  I would have struggled to find it now, so glad that I have re-established contact with his unique watering hole.

Marbles appear to run uphill

I will come back when it is open.

The walking follows some rough land at the rear, much of which has been used to make a BMX track.  No real footpaths but we are looking to get onto the disused railway line.

This provides some great walking.   Added bonus is that it elevated, flat and has some good views.  Follow this for two miles, leading me into Wombourne.  Turn east here and follow the Wom Brook through the town before picking up the countryside again. 

Surprisingly good Views from Battle Hill

Couple more caches on the way back to the car.

Camera on Cache

Plenty of variety on this walk, woods, stately homes, old railway lines, wonky pubs and to top it all - six more caches on my total.