Hazards to Overcome
I am well off-piste on the West Midlands Way. For some reason, known only to 1970s walk planners, they manoeuvred around Lichfield without actually visiting it. I couldn't resist the triple spires and the easy public transport.
I now need to get myself to Kingsbury - a distance that is too far for a day's walking and again, with limited public transport options. Instead, I set my target slightly North. To Tamworth. For reasons that anyone with an interest in pubs will know.
But there are many hazards to overcome. This is HS2 Country - a thing I thought I had left behind, not expecting there to be any works north of Birmingham. But no - Komoot shows a shaded red danger area right across my planned route.
Then there is Whittington Heath Rifle Range. A MOD facility that hosts live firing several times a week.
Finally, I intend to enter Tamworth along the River Tame. A river that has been in flood for the last few weeks.
How to mitigate disaster? Ask the hive mind of the Internet. Walk 1000 Miles contributors provide the answers needed - I should be OK to progress unhindered. Provided I go on the first Tuesday of the month and when there is a Wolf Moon.
A surprisingly decent walk ensues.
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| Borrowcop Hill - Home of Lichfield Legends |
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| Discussed in the last blog |
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| Low risk of fire - would you progress on Yellow or Orange? |
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| What they are shooting at |
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| Hopwas Hays Wood - pretty walking for those brave enough to face bullets |
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| Easy navigation on the Birmingham and Fazeley |
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| After the unflooded river Tame plains - the prize - Tamworth Castle and Queens Bridge |
Onto the pubs. Not as easy as you would think. The Old Bank House was recommended - but not open on a Tuesday. The Tamworth Tap - which has to be visited - doesn't open until 4pm.
Sir Timbo can save the day for the traveller prepared to wait around a little. I am one day too early for the latest beer festival but the landlord tells me what I could have won and even gives me a leaflet to read at my pleasure. The usual great value can still be found - £2.35 a pint, but the guest ales choice completely limited to IPAs. If you are going to have an IPA, have one from the Indian Brewery.
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| Hard to tell what this building used to be |
Still need to wait. I poked my head in the door of the Sheriff of Tamworth. Google reviews pointed to a fine Belgian Beer Range at good prices. I saw nothing of interest and an unmanned bar allowed me to make a quick escape to the Joules House, the Market Vaults. The house beer - an Aurora Golden - was in poor nick.
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| Functional and opposite the ultimate destination |
Finally, the clock strikes four and it's over to the Tamworth Tap.
And why was I prepared to wait? It's been CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2022, 20223 and 2025. The only venue to win three times.
This suggests very good promotion or a very active local CAMRA. Personally, I think open hours should have been used in the selection criteria.
That said, it's exactly my kind of pub. Multiple levels, brew paraphernalia on the walls, wingback Chesterfields and an exceptional beer range. How often (excluding my own garage) am I forced to choose between a Bathams and a Straffe Hendrik, in the presentation chalice?
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| There is no denying it is gorgeous |
All in all, a very successful day.
Now to try and plan the next leg. I am getting closer to the end, with Meriden almost in striking distance.
Walk Details
Distance - 8.5 Miles
Geocaches - 12
Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6 (Part 1), Stage 6 (Part 2), Stage 7, Stage 8, Stage 9, Stage 10
