21/07/26 - St Michael's Boundary Walk, Tenbury Wells

12 Miles of Nothingness

The idea for this walk came from the "Boundary Walk" for the Beltane Pilgrimage. AI based research managed to find 8 out of the potential 29 Boundary walks. A tick-list was formed. Rare access to the car, meant I could head off to Tenbury Wells for a route that I approached with justified trepidation.

In this part of the world, the paths are usually in chronic condition. A look on the map, and I could see that there was little of interest. Although the paths were better than expected, there were issues. If I knew exactly which county I was in, I would probably log dense undergrowth and locals blockading rights of ways and removing signage. 

No one to report in the lack of villages, pubs or items of interest to. Unless you like dilapidated farms, abandoned golf courses, orchards and wheat fields, there is little for you here. If it wasn't for St Michaels School and a rather unusual church, there would have been nothing to blog about. The walk became a time trial. Could I maintain > 3 mph in a heatwave?

Very specific signage

Herefordshire Orchards

Inquisitive horses, with Titterstone Clee Hill behind.

St Michaels's provided the first place of shelter for lunch and remains of water. An imposing church - especially considering the remoteness - that is nowhere near as old as it looks.

St Michael and All Angels Church, Tenbury Wells stands in an isolated position on the edge of Oldwood Common, about a mile south-west of Tenbury Wells, and is one of the most remarkable Victorian churches in Worcestershire. Built between 1856 and 1858 as the centrepiece of St Michael's College, Tenbury, it was the vision of the Reverend Sir Frederick Arthur Gore Ouseley, a priest, musicologist and passionate reformer of Anglican church music. Designed in the Gothic Revival style by Henry Woodyer, the church was intended to recreate the atmosphere of a medieval collegiate foundation, complete with a renowned choir school, daily choral worship and an exceptional musical tradition. Its soaring architecture, Hardman stained glass and magnificent Father Willis organ reflect Ouseley’s belief that music should be at the heart of worship. The college closed in 1985, but the church remains a remarkable survival — a “mini-cathedral” in the Worcestershire countryside and a lasting monument to Victorian devotion, scholarship and the revival of Anglican musical life.

Tinderbox landscape

I missed the organ. Here is the altar. 

Walk Details

Distance - 12 miles

Geocaches - 0

Pub - 0

Interesting villages - 0

Highlights on Komoot - 0

Walk Inspiration

30/05/26 - The Oddingley Murders Walk

Murderer, Murdered

Today's walk - courtesy of the Ramblers - is a themed walk to find the locations of an 1806 double murder. Here is the story - and the characters involved.

The Oddingley Murders were a notorious Worcestershire crime that began in 1806 when Rev. George Parker, the unpopular rector of Oddingley, was shot and beaten to death while crossing a field near the village. Parker had become deeply unpopular with local farmers because of disputes over church tithes.

Suspicion quickly fell on Richard Heming, a local labourer and wheelwright, who disappeared immediately after the murder. For 24 years it was assumed he had escaped justice.

In 1830, workmen discovered Heming's skeleton buried beside a barn wall at Netherwood Farm. The discovery revealed that the suspected murderer had himself been murdered shortly after killing Parker. Evidence suggested that a group of local farmers had hired Heming to kill Parker and then silenced him to prevent him revealing the conspiracy. Several men were tried, but all were acquitted, leaving the case officially unsolved.

Key People

Rev. George Parker – Rector of Oddingley and victim of the first murder.

Richard Heming – Labourer and wheelwright; believed to have murdered Parker before becoming the second victim.

Thomas Clewes – Farmer of Netherwood Farm, where Heming's remains were discovered.

Captain Samuel Evans – Retired army officer, magistrate and owner of Church Farm; alleged mastermind of the conspiracy.

A fine walk in the Worcestershire Countryside - maybe a touch too long on a busy golf course. Of course, a pub would have improved things. The nearest pub, Speed The Plough,  is just out of reach of the walk. A shame, as the pub has a part to play in the story.

After the 1830 trial for the Oddingley Murders ended with all defendants acquitted, the village of Oddingley erupted in boisterous celebrations. What should have been a moment of legal closure instead became a night of disorder and excess.

A large crowd gathered in the village and the festivities quickly got out of hand. Revellers forced their way into the church, where they rang the church bells in celebration, much to the outrage of the new parish priest. The behaviour escalated further, including drunken antics in the churchyard and even a man urinating on Rev. George Parker’s grave, which deeply scandalised onlookers.

The celebrations eventually spilled into violence, ending in a drunken brawl at the church gates.

The new rector, horrified by what he saw as sacrilegious behaviour linked to a place tainted by murder and moral disorder, insisted that the nearby pub—then called “The God Speed the Plough”—remove the word “God” from its name. It has remained simply “Speed the Plough” ever since.

Water Tower near Droitwich

Agricultural fields

Church Farm - home of Captain Evans - The Mastermind behind the first murder

Oddingley Church

Weathered Gravestone believed to be Rev Parker - piddled on during acquittal celebrations

Netherwood Farm - where Hemmings body was discovered 24 years after the first murder

The finest walking along the edge of Trench Woods - Views to Malvern

Home along the Birmingham to Worcester Canal

Walk Details

Distance - 8.5 Miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration

30/04/26 - Beating the Bounds for Beltane

One Day Early 

Beltane, May Day and Rogationtide: Blessing the Bounds

Come May, there are maypoles, May Kings and Queens, Jacks in the Green and Obby Osses. Less known is the fact that the Church long ago instituted Rogation Days, when villagers would “beat the bounds” of their parish, walking in procession to the edges of their land and praying for its fertility. It was part ritual, part communal memory, part good excuse for a walk.

At the British Pilgrimage Trust, we revived this tradition with our Rogation Sunday campaign. It remains a wonderful excuse to make pilgrimage entirely local: simply walk the perimeter of where you live. You may be surprised how boundary lines trace forgotten footpaths, streams and hedgerows, linking the whole parish and creating belonging.

May 1st marks the day of my next pilgrimage walk for Beltane. Finding a walk that follows a parish boundary is relatively easy. The Ramblers promote several and I liked the look of Walk 26, in Powick.

So where are the rest in the series? I set ChatGPT on the case and it has found 9. I now have another tick list to complete, all tidied into a nice table for me. Thanks AI.

The walk was a beauty, if not a little lacking in thrills. Agricultural landscapes near the River Teme to Bransford Bridge. Through Rushwick village and the Civil War battlefields of Powick. The closure of the ancient bridge still causing navigational headaches. Only two years to repair flood damage, Worcester Council, and then you can start on the potholes.

Along the Teme

Distant views to Malvern Hills

Powick Battlefields

Pubs were passed but none open. Especially disappointing, the Red Lion at Powick. A 3pm midweek opener. 

At least the bus back to Worcester was on time and money was saved at Timbo's the Crown.

Walk Details

Distance - 10 Miles

Walk Inspiration - The Ramblers

Geocaches - 5

Previous Celtic Pilgrimages - Imbloc, Spring Equinox

20/04/26 - The Bridge Hotel, Stanford Bridge

Hospitality Horrors

Our plan was to use the Bridge Hotel Car Park - complete a 9 mile walk - and reward ourselves with a pint.

Even with today's prices, I am unsure whether this would have met the terms and conditions.

How to drive away customers

The route is from the Ramblers. Paths were better than anticipated in a remote corner of Worcestershire, but I have had to notify the council. A padlocked wonky gate, which even has the Right of Way Marker on the post. All added to to the outdoor gymnasium of clambering stiles and fallen trees.

As pleasurable as it was, little to report. We didn't quite make it to the door of the impressive Georgian Gothic Church at Stanford. The Sapeys (Upper, Lower, Common) have no infrastructure. We saw sheep, cattle, deer, hares, an owl but only one human. The farmer at Noverton fixing his gate.

Clifton-on-Teme Church

Worcestershire / Herefordshire views

Nearly 4 hours later and I would love to bring you a report on the pub. Mrs M quite strict in her instructions of "sod them".

Don't upset Mrs M

Walk Details

Distance - 9 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration

 

11/02/26 - Rail Trail - Old Hill to Cradley Heath

Let the Ramblers Take The Strain

One of the many challenges I have running to keep me on the streets is walking between railway stations. My usual monthly review of where the Ramblers are group walking revealed they have planned the next stage on the Wyre Valley line for me. OK, so I am going in the wrong direction, but all I need to do is turn up and try and guess which route will be taken.

A big loop on the Dudley Canal Number 2 to Bumblehole for lunch. Then onwards through Saltwells Country Park.

Bumblehole Lunch

Canal Art

Netherton's Massive Anchor

Doulton's Clay Pit in Saltwells Country Park

Could I have planned it any better than an Octogenarian Austrian Rambler? Well, it seemed rather cruel to make us look at Ma Pardoe's without paying them a visit. Especially as it was honking it down with rain. Again.

No liquid lunch today

Walk Details

Distance - 5.25 Miles

Previous Stages on the Wyre Valley Line - Worcester to Droitwich, Droitwich to Hartlebury, Hartlebury to Kidderminster, Kidderminster to Hagley, Hagley to Stourbridge, Stourbridge to Cradley Heath

14/10/25 - The Barnt Green Inn

Ghostly Tunnels

Barnt Green - just inside the Worcestershire border and a posh commuter village. Home at one time or the other to Big Ron, Jamelia, Private Pike and Jack Grealish.

I am here with the Ramblers for a magical mystery tour. All I know is where to meet - opposite the butchers with award-winning pork pies - and the distance of the walk, 5 miles.

It's all rather pleasant - south over the M42, new to me paths to Withybed Green and then the familiar along the canal and past the Bittell reservoirs.

Autumn views over North Worcestershire

Communal living on the Worcester-Birmingham Canal

Bittell Reservoir

Walk over and an Adventure Lab Cache guides me around the village. This of course, includes the wonderful Barnt Green Inn. A 16th-century house, converted to a pub, where their Facebook Page announces when Grealish comes in to talk about Cockapoos.

Surprisingly, for a pub that has so much history and in prime walking location, it appears in only one of my Worcesteshire pub guide books. The frankly ridiculous "Haunted Pubs of Worcestershire". From the book's size, it appears that every pub in Worcestershire is haunted.

The Barnt Green Inn

A poor scan of its horrible history

For those time-constrained, a man and his son - at different times - saw a ghostly woman disappearing into a hedge opposite the pub. The reason for blog inclusion? It collaborates WhatPub's rumour that there is a tunnel that runs from the pub to Cofton. Or Coughton (much further away), if you believe the Ghost Book.

An enjoyable visit to the gastro-pub to work out the ALC bonus calculations.... use of their facilities ran to the loos, a warm in front of the roaring fire but I couldn't quite bring myself to spend money on a Doom Bar of unknown quality.

I have a date with a Wetherspoons!

My maths - their fire - someone else's wine

Walk Details

Distance - 5.25 Miles

Geocaches - An Adventure Lab Cache

09/10/25 - The Stirchley Squiggle

Vintage on Cask

A short walk with the Ramblers, which the Walk Leader has named the Stirchley Squiggle. On account of its circuitous route along the River Rea, Cotteridge Park and the unfortunately named Lady Garden.

Birmingham Worcester Canal

An Erratic in Cotteridge Park

It's a fair way to go for a 3 miler, but I was keen to revisit the Stirchley Beer Scene. I knew the Wildcat Tap had closed down but I hadn't countered for others not opening until 5pm. So much for the Beer Mile. There's only one venue open in daylight hours mid-week, the traditional British Oak. And the eye-catching policy being promoted is to extend opening hours! Ha! 

With no particular plan in mind, I hotfoot it back to town on the train. I'll have a think which establishments to tick off in my bar-crawl app. It's as the train pulls away, I see on Twitter that there were other options. 

Now in stock from Old Chimneys Brewery . pic.twitter.com/HjN49Pu8G4

— Cotteridge Wines (@CotteridgeWines) October 9, 2025

That's a beer that's been on the bucket list for quite some time. A return is considered but discounted.

I'll check out another beer with the year in its name.  The last time in the Old Stock Joint, the Vintage Ale was "resting".

I am delighted to see it has now fully rested and is available for consumption. Even if I am too scared to meet the card reader in the eye.

There were four staff on - I could have got away with multiple tasters

Only in the pub

On reflection, £7.30 was not too outrageous to a man still simmering from the 6% Nothing Bound in a back street Cheltenham boozer that was 50p more.

To sit in such opulent surroundings, watching the suits buy huge rounds on expenses, helping stranded Germans grasp that you order at the bar, and admiring the autumnal cathedral landscape through the vast windows — that was money well spent.

I was content with my lifestyle choice.

Always been a favourite

Stunning on Cask - and a first not in bottle for me

Walk Details

Distance - 3 Miles

22/09/25 - Brown Clee Hill

The Shropshire Summit

The Clee Hills Walks always come in pairs. A July summit of Titterstone, followed one month late by its Brown sister. One day, I am sure to walk the saddle between the two peaks.

This is a straightforward walk - park up on north-west flanks (SO607872)  and consider the changing seasons. Fleece on, a nip in the air, with the parked up cars bombarded with falling acorns. But it's bright and sunny and I really wish I could find a way of bottling it up for the cruelest of incoming months.

Early in the walk - looking over North West Shropshire

In terms of interest, there is little. Abandoned quarries, showing former mining activity. The highest coalfield in England. Dhustone - a hard dolerite - used in road building. Just the shells of former buildings, the old metallic posts and the dips in the landscape remain.

Mine Workings

And WWII air crashes. 23 Airman lost their lives. The wreckage of a Wellington apparently in Boyne Water (passed on this walk). A Junkers bomber, lost after a raid on Birmingham, cutting a swathe through the trees and resulting in the deaths of 4.

Near Monkey's Fold

A day to enjoy the views...

Atop Brown Clee Hill

Looking towards Titterstone - July's Conquest

Dropping down to Abdon 

After climbing back up, dropping down to the car

Walk Details

Distance - 9 Miles

Walk Inspiration 

Geocaches - 2

04/09/25 - The Bell at Pensax

The Lost Snug

Another book to work my way through. Worcestershire's Historic Pubs. No index and rather haphazard organisation - chapters on Mug Houses, Canal and Railway Pubs, Road Side Pubs and Locals. 

The Bell at Pensax is filed under "Road Side Pubs".

Proper Pub Queuing

Book published in 2007

The walk is from the Ramblers. Pensax and Menith Wood don't offer much for discovery. Half-hearted coal mining, but no evidence on the ground. I have to make do with hop fields, woodland and some fine views of the Worcestershire countryside.

At least I think they are hops. The Seek App identified them as "common weeds"

This is the third time I have walked past Burnt House. There's a hermit that lives in splendid isolation with an ever-increasing collection of junk. Last time I passed, a radio was playing but all was in silence today. The next field has a farmer chopping down a tree who confirms that the eccentric is still alive. Maybe he has run out of battery.

A similar photo from 2018

Pub Archaeology at Menith Wood. The OS Map shows the big blue cup of joy, but identifying the Cross Keys proves impossible. The internet provides only one nondescript external photo but a Facebook page hints at the joy within.  A closed pub is more than bricks and mortar; it is the fading of countless conversations, celebrations, and friendships.

The former landlady and slightly menacing landlord

We made our own entertainment. It was shite.

A return to the Bell at Pensax. It was a permanent feature in the Good Beer Guide and was probably my first serious attempt at blogging pubs. It was closed for a few years and reopened in 2023. But not to universal acclaim. CAMRA removed it from its "Inventory of Historic Interiors" when the snug was lost during the renovation.

Bell forged in 1886 - about the same time as the pub

The central serving hatch has also gone, but they leave the sign where Miss E Wallop has sold out her female sisters by insisting they know their place.

A pub is no place for discretion

A dining room to the left and the main bar to the right. Log Burner, flagged floors and a frankly unnecessary selection of 6 cask ales. No need, there are only two other punters on a Thursday lunch.

I'm counting four pales and two bitters.  Is there any need?

To be fair, the Ludlow Gold was pulled through with a full 100% "wastage". One pint for the sink, one pint for me.

Monumental sausage rolls and scotch eggs available under a glass dome. Alas, the Mappiman retirement budget only runs to a liquid lunch, despite the temptation of a wonderful smelling fish finger sandwiches delivered to the two other punters.

Hard, when the storms meant you didn't bother taking sandwiches on the ramble.

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration - The Ramblers