Living Day by Day
It's been a while since I have looked at my 1950s guidebook, Fifty Weekend Walks round Birmingham. I was planning on doing them in order - but a 10 miler along the Welsh Road at Kenilworth may have made sense when traffic was light. Linear walks in Tamworth discounted due to the excessive public transport times. I've skipped to walk number 9 - "A Bit of Unknown Worcestershire".
First, I have to decipher the hand-drawn map. Suddington does not appear on any modern map.
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| Orientation doesn't help, either |
Fortunately, I have access to historical maps through Hiiker. I am looking for Sinton to start the walk.
The walk heads for Droitwich, where I have two new Good Beer Guide ticks to go for. Alas one of them, the Freemasons Arms, doesn't want to keep daytime hours midweek, so I try and save myself for an Historic Inn of Interest when back in Ombersley. Lane and agricultural walking becomes dominated by churches.
Mysterious Salwarpe Church, high on a hill over the eponymous river and canal. Doors locked, hiding its secrets within.
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| Along the canal portal |
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| I'll never see the 1613 Talbot Monument within. |
A glimpse of the impressive Westwood House, as I head north from Droitwich. Remarkable history, with the lands dating back to a nunnery taken over during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries. Then owned by the Pakington family, backing the wrong side in the English Civil War and also creating a deer park, which you can note is still marked on the guidebook map.
Incredibly, it's now private apartments, available for purchase on the open market. Who wouldn't want to live with such history?
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| Available to own (a small part of) |
Back to the churches - Tiny Doverdale disappoints by being doors locked as well. Simply not very trusting in these parts, are they?
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| Only the churchyard to explore |
Fortunately, I am moving away from the solar farms that have blighted other walks in this area. The paths - as faint as they are - deliver me back to Ombersley. An ancient, unspoiled village of black and white half-timbered houses and at last, a "doors open" church. Completely remodelled in the early 1800s by the Sandys.
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| The spire dominates the landscape - showing you how far you have to walk |
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| Modernity |
The Sandys were a prominent Worcestershire family who held the manor of Ombersley for centuries, producing several distinguished figures, including Edwin Sandys, Archbishop of York (1519–1588), and Samuel Sandys, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1695–1770), and establishing themselves as one of the county's most influential landed families.
They also have one of the three pubs named after them.
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| Historic Inn of Interest |
I wasn't sure what to expect - research indicated rooms, hosting of wedding parties and a restaurant. My plan was to enter and ask if they still had a public bar.
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| A Georgian makeover, hiding its age |
I failed to get that far. A printed note originally said "We will be closed today" - to which a handwritten note on a fresh piece of paper added "Until Further Notice". Little online - with a Facebook page not updated since 2010 but my old friend AI detailed that the landlord is retiring and they are looking to transfer the lease in 2027.
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| Daily Updates |
I could have retreated to the Kings Arms or the Cross Keys. But the moment had gone.
Walk Details
Distance - 10.75 miles
Geocaches - 0
Walk Inspiration - 50 Weekend Walks round Birmingham, Walk 9
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