Glass Making and Award Winning Pubs
All the interest in this lengthy walk comes at the end. Unless you are a fan of canals.
The Stourbridge Canal picked up at the bonded warehouse, a short section of woodland at Friars Gorse before picking up the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal at Gothersley Bridge. The cold snap scaring off other walkers and mercifully, most of the Lycra clad cycling dingers-of-bells.
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| Stourbridge Bonded Warehouse |
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| Canal Dreams |
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| Woodland in Winter |
Best part of 10 miles completed, before arriving at the fringes of town. A quick explore of Stourbridge's Glass making history. Well, the museum is free of charge.
Stourbridge has been one of the world’s great centres of glassmaking since the early 17th century, when skilled Huguenot glassworkers settled in the area and took advantage of the region’s rich fireclay and coal. Today, the Stourbridge Glass Museum—opened in 2022 in the restored former Stuart Crystal site at Wordsley—celebrates this heritage through over four centuries of glass, live hot-glass demonstrations, and exhibitions that explore both the craft’s history and its ongoing innovation.
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| Museum Piece |
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| Inside the Cone |
With today's first award winning pub, the Bird in Hand, around the corner.
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| From three years ago |
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| Community local |
It's a simple two roomer, pleasantly full on a Friday lunchtime. A central bar connects the drinking spaces, complete with a sign that says "No Swearing". Ignored by the loud local, who bursts in after a hospital visit and announces to the vaguely interested locals about his firestick viewing habits. Triple profanity showing that Aussies aren't popular in Wordsley.
Jaipur, Butty Bach, Town Crier and a chosen £3.80 Holden's Golden Glow, which I have to say was perfect.
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| No Effing Swearing |
Back to the bonded warehouse and the Old Wharf, a pub that I always think is closed. It always seems to be in darkness. It needed investigating, as it was 33rd best pub in the land by people who know nothing about pubs. To be fair, this was The Good Food Guide. And they might be on to something. The pork scratchings were less than £2.
It's a gastro-pub, and also packed. They like their hospitality in this part of the world. Despite being the only punter not dining, I was provided a warm welcome. Four cask ales on and I have no complaints about my chosen Vale Brewery No. 4615.
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| Even if it failed the "Clarity" test |
Walk Details
Distance - 11 Miles
Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine, May 2025, Walk 12
Geocaches - 2
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