19/06/26 - The Slow Way - Stourport to Droitwich

PID360 / VideoGuard 360

I walked much of this route in reverse, when completing the Droitwich to Hartlebury Rail Trail. It was a disaster of overgrown paths with terrible signposting. I really shouldn't have bothered this Slow Way, but someone has to review them.

To save repeating my moaning, I will simply put up my Slow Ways review. 

This is a disaster - particularly around the east side of the A449 around Stinton Pool and Acton Farm.

Before I start listing the problems, I think I have worked out that these slow ways have been developed on line and no one has actually walked them until they are on the website. I am the first to review this one.

I started at Stourport and ended at Droitwich. I have previously walked much of the route in reverse and it was a disaster then.

The issues? The paths are badly overgrown, signposting is minimal and in many places impassable.

52°18.606'N, 2°13.352'W - path disappears, Dense vegetation. Impossible to follow on the public right of way.

52°18.106'N, 2°13.099'W - a new solar farm. Approaching from the North - there is a clear path between the two fenced off solar farms. Later on, the path completely disappears at a brook. When approaching from the South, I wasn't even able to find my way through. Then, in the middle of the PROW at the co-ords, there is a machine. I have googled it. It is a PID360 / VideoGuard 360. On approach, it sparks up an alarm akin to an air-raid warning, which sounds twice. Lights come on and a very sinister Northern Irish Voice tells you that "Your approach is being recorded. The police have been notified". I am exaggerating when I add "So they have". I have seen the film Aliens. I thought it would shoot me.

52°17.986'N, 2°12.955'W - path disappears at a thicket brook. If you are approaching from the South, you won't even get this far. Forced to battle my way through.

Once (if?) you reach Doverdale Church - its plain sailing on lanes until 52°16.376'N, 2°11.516'W - the Monarchs Way at Nunnery Wood. There is high wheat in the fields. The farmer has left a path but not accurately where marked on the OS Map. Easy to lose it - and I ended up going around in circles on existing tractor tracks, trying not to make a crop circle.

I have reported the issues to Worcestershire County Council Rights of Way Management.

I seriously recommend that no one else attempts this walk.

Seems I am not the only rambler to fall foul of this device. Check out this BBC Story.

For what it is worth - here are the photos.

The Monarach's Way - Not quite where it is meant to be

Westwood House, on the approach to Droitwich

It's not all misery. The Hop Pole Inn is still serving a choice of Bathams beers in perfect condition.

12 miles of misery for this

And the 133 bus - which only runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday - was bang on its 13:30 departure time. 

I was the solo passenger.

It was like a big Uber.

Walk Details

Distance - 12 miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration

20/05/26 - Slow Way - Highley to Bewdley

For The Harbour at Arley

Highley - an unassuming mining town in Shropshire - becomes my most walked Slow Way location. I can add Bewdley to Kinver, Bridgnorth and Cleobury Mortimer to the list of destinations that I have walked from or to.

Today's walk is so simple..... Immediately pick up the river, walk downstream on the Severn Way, stop when you arrive at Bewdley.

Today's vista - the river at Highley

Long Distance Walking on the Severn Way

Half-way along, handily placed for (liquid) lunch, is the Harbour Inn at Arley. 

The Harbour Inn

With the population of Arley on the other side of the footbridge, it's a survivor. Pleasing that is open regular hours (Midday - 11pm), the only surprise was that I was not alone for my visit. A couple of other walkers not quite making it worth their while opening. 

Three Wye Valley Cask on - with Butty Bach in fair condition.

Plenty of refreshment options in Bewdley - but not all keeping such traditional hours. Looks like it's evening only for Bathams at the Horn and Trumpet.

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration

08/04/26 - The Slow Way to Bewdley for the Black Boy Hotel

Political Correctness gone Madri

An easy and often completed walk, which would normally not register on the blog.

But it was completed on the first day of the year when the central heating didn't need to spark up and there was a visit to an Historic Inn of Interest - a 1960s Guide Book to booze.

Plus a chance to review another Slow Way.

From Stourport bridge to Bewdley bridge on the Severn Way. Keep the water to your left and all is good.

Start at the River King

Unnecessary

The End

 Onto the pub; 

1960s Ticking

Those that know Bewdley will know two things. This is not the Black Boy that requires a team of sherpas and oxygen to reach. In some ways I am grateful, but in others sad. That Black Boy is a cracker.

And this Black Boy was renamed as the Bewdley Inn in 2021.

The Bewdley Inn, the sunshine

A Royalist stronghold during the Civil War, history and pub enthusiasts will know that the name Black Boy refers to King Charles II rather than anything more controversial. While I’m on the subject, the Black Bitch in Linlithgow was named after a dog – but that didn’t stop the inevitable rebranding.

There’s little sign of its seventeenth-century origins now, though it still has separate rooms and a few inviting nooks and crannies.

First in, I was greeted with a bit of bad news: the landlord was waiting for a delivery. Given the choice of Madri or Carling, I made a quick exit and headed to the George.

There, a suntrap beer garden, table service, and a £2.35 pint of Redemption Big Chief IPA made up for it nicely — with a view of the church clock to keep an eye on the return bus time.

Walk Details

Distance - 3.75 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration

07/04/26 - Slow Ways - Highley to Cleobury Mortimer

My Kingdom for a Pint

There was only one way to approach this Slow Way. Highley has only one pub, and I think it is a dead pub. The Bache Arms, a wild experience, whilst it was open. Cleobury has four. One of them must be open on a Tuesday lunchtime, surely?

The Slow Ways web site is an excellent resource, aiming to connect every major town in the UK through walking. I am unsure as to who creates the routes. This route was unreviewed (until I came along) and was fine apart from a couple of lengthy road sections. One such section is avoidable. My feedback has been submitted.

Overall, a fine walk, completed is Spring sunshine across rolling agricultural landscapes.

Highley Church

The Walk looked mainly like this

My diversion to Cleobury Lodge Farm

Cleobury's Twisted Spire

Into Cleobury - with an hour to wait for the bus. I made the mistake of ignoring the Royal Fountain. The best pub in town, based on my previous Slow Way. The others - The Kings Arms, The Talbot and the Stables - all closed up on a Tuesday lunch time.

What's that I spy opposite the bus stop? Bargain Booze for a trampy wait in the sunshine.

Walk Details

Distance - 8 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration

07/01/26 - Slow Way - Stourport to Cleobury Mortimer

Cross County Slow Way - Worcestershire to Shropshire

I am pleased to report a few things on this lengthy walk. It's much better than the Slow Ways other review would suggest. Yes, there are a lot of ups and downs but the paths are all clear and the stiles in fine condition. The GPX is accurate. And the beer in Cleobury Mortimer is very good. Worthy of a separate blog. And a visit from CAMRA. It's a little criminal that no venue is represented in the 2026 Good Beer Guide.

I'm walking this in reverse. From Stourport aiming for a two bus journey home. No need to go into detail about the route - its all woodland, agricultural and sheep field, with densely packed contour lines. The walk goes through the hamlets and villages of Heightington, Rock, Clows Top and Bayton before a rather spectacular arrival in Cleobury, via the grounds of Mawley Hall and the River Rea.

Here's what I found along the way;

Chapel Farm - The Nothing Bound Brewery and Tap Room

Low Winter Sun

A short section of the Worcestershire Way at Heightington

Today's view mainly shared with the sheep

Rock Cross Inn 

Unbroken Views from Bayton Church

Where a coffee break from the cold was taken

Exterior of Bayton Church

Overlooking Mawley Hall Gardens to see Cleobury Mortimer below

Crossing the River Rea

A thirst was more than worked up.  With 90 minutes until a conveniently (and on time) bus, there was time to explore the 4 pubs that were said to be open.

And 4 pubs makes for a Pub Crawl blog.

Walk Details

Distance - 13 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration - Slow Ways

14/07/25 - Slow Way/Rail Trail - Hagley to Stourbridge

Happy Black Country Day

The Wyre Forest Rail Trail came to an abrupt end at Hagley. Yet there are plenty of Black Country stations to explore of the same line - with rail trail routes becoming available once you enter Warwickshire. Slow Ways coming up with an alternative resource to inspire a short route from Hagley to Stourbridge.

Seems fitting that I reach the South Western edge of the Black Country on the day that flags with red and black chains are all over social media pronouncing "Happy Black Country Day!"

A simple walk - the Monarch's Way providing some countryside and up and over Wychbury Hill. Will the obelisk still have the graffiti pronouncing "Who put Bella in the Wych Elm?"

“Who put Bella in the Wych Elm?” is a mysterious graffiti phrase linked to the 1943 discovery of a woman’s skeleton hidden inside a wych elm tree in Hagley Wood, near Stourbridge. The body was never identified, but the name “Bella” emerged after the graffiti appeared in nearby Birmingham in 1944, sparking decades of speculation. Theories range from espionage—suggesting she was a Nazi spy—to occult murder or a local crime. No one has ever claimed responsibility for the graffiti, which has reappeared intermittently over the years, keeping the unsolved case alive in British folklore and true crime lore.

Climbing Wychbury Hill on the Monarch's Way

The Obelisk

The Graffitti

Black Country Views

Stourbridge is entered from the south, passing the Seven Stars too early.

But on the final day of the second 2025 heatwave, who could resist cask Jaipur at £2.45 in an Air-conditioned 'Spoons?  Not me.

Long may the month-long (into its third month) promotion live!

15th Jaipur, 1st branded glass.

Walk Details

Distance - 4 Miles

Geocaches - 3

Walk Inspiration - Slow Ways

Previous Slows Ways - Birmingham to Blackheath, Blackheath to Halesowen, Halesowen to Stourbridge, Stourbridge to Kinver, Kinver to Highley, Highley to Bridgnorth, Bridgnorth to Much Wenlock

Previous Stage on the Wyre Valley Line - Worcester to Droitwich, Droitwich to Hartlebury, Hartlebury to Kidderminster, Kidderminster to Hagley

08/03/25 - The Slow Way - Bridgnorth to Much Wenlock

Timetable Confusion results in Fastest Ever Pint

The Slow Ways from Birmingham City Centre continue, but I have a feeling this could be the end of this particular line. We are getting into "Buses in the Countryside" territory. Both as complex and inefficient as you would expect.

This route is very straightforward. Head out of Bridgnorth through housing estates. Pick up a remote and infrequently used lane, which eventually turns into the Jack Mytton Way. This runs through the woods of Shirtlett High Peak. Some fine views over Shropshire to the Clee Hills. Orchards and Countryside into Much Wenlock. A town that you should take your time over to appreciate.

Shropshire under blue skies

Through Shirtlett High Peak Woods

More of Shropshire, with the Clee Hills in the far distance

We enter Much Wenlock, but with the route planned in haste, I haven't planned our exit. A quick look on the phone has Google Maps suggesting there is a lunch time lull in the hourly service back to Bridgnorth. We have exactly 18 minutes to get the Good Beer Guide Tick at the George and Dragon before making our way to the bus stop.

Is that enough time?

Of course, even in photography has to take the back seat

Its a squeeze through what surely must be the world's narrowest front doors. This is not a pub for fatties or people with a rucksack. No queue at the bar and a choice of four real ales. Shropshire Gold taken in solidarity with the area.

I then check Bustimes.org for the worrying news that they say the bus leaves 10 minutes earlier than what Google Maps say. If I hadn't have panicked, I would have noticed two things. One, according to bustimes there is no midday lull in service. Two, and most importantly for future reference, they have a real-time bus tracking feature.

So the drinks are consumed in two swigs. For the record, the Shropshire Gold would have gone back if I wasn't time constrained. I am left with a vinegar aftertaste for the rest of the day that even half a packet of extra stong mints couldn't shift. Disappointing for a GBG Pub.

A route march to the bus stop, with 90 seconds to spare. Although Google Maps was correct and it was 11 minutes and 30 seconds to spare.

To top it all, I find the tracking feature. The bus hasnt even left Shrewsbury yet. 

Somehow, in the Countryside, an hourly bus service can be exactly 30 minutes late. 

Or early.

Walk Details

Distance - 8 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration - Slow Ways

Previous Slows Ways - Birmingham to Blackheath, Blackheath to Halesowen, Halesowen to Stourbridge, Stourbridge to Kinver, Kinver to Highley, Highley to Bridgnorth

29/01/25 - The Slow Way - Highley to Bridgnorth

Bridgnorth - Pub Town

Back on the Slow Ways - which is a reference that could equally apply to Diamond Buses. How can a 12 mile journey take 2.5 hours? How can an hourly bus be 75 minutes late? Do bus companies have delay/repay?

Griping over, I do look forward to my Slow Way walks - one of the best route resources on the web. This is an easy navigation walk - follow the mud on the Jack Mytton Way to Hampton. Then it's the Severn Way right into Bridgnorth.

Horses above the Severn Valley

Faded Jack Mytton Way Marker

Camp Hill on the River Severn

Into Bridgnorth. One of those towns where there always seems to be a new Good Beer Guide Tick to be had. Shropshire CAMRA very fair, constantly circulating the recommendations. Today, I have two to tick and both a coloured Lion. But as I was passing, it would have been rude not to say hello to one of the best Railway Pubs in the land.

Bathams Tomorrow

The White Lion only reopened in 2023 but has made it into the bible already. A traditional pub, offering bed and breakfast. Number of punters - 3. Number of cask handpulls - 6. I am now the sort of annoying  customer that asks "what is freshest on?" and then uses CIA trained techniques to see if I am being lied to. The answer, was Fixed Wheel Wheely Pale. It was absolutely perfect. Unlike the toilets. Point deducted for comedy urinals from a barrel.

Traditional Coaching House

The Shakespeare over the road looked inviting. I'm not that familiar with Joules Houses, but if they are all like this, I need to get investigating. Wood Burner - temptingly just out of reach in a little snug on the opposite side of the bar. After ordering my drink, I asked for it to be delivered to the other side and out and back in I went.

Slumbering Monk from Joules chosen. Much debate with a knowledgeable bar lady about how to class this dark, fruity beer. She was reluctant to say mild. Untappd calls it a bitter. Whatever it was, it was far too cold. Thank the lord for the log burner to warm it up on.

Joules, Shakespeare - White Lion in the background

Never bitter

Two ticks for the price of one at The Golden Lion. I am working my way around all the Holdens Pubs. And this one is in the Good Beer Guide.

Choice of rooms on entry - should I go Lounge or Bar. Bar sounds most likely to have fellow drinkers. But I was wrong. All the laughter head over the counter. A party in flight that I wasn't invited to.

The Black Country Special was delightful but I can only hope Holdens use oversized glasses. A good 10% head served on mine and the old boy who came in to keep me company.

Golden Lion (gonna tell me where the light is)

A Rambler's Lunch

It will have to be the Low Town for my next Bridgnorth visit.

Slow Ways has taken me from Birmingham to Bridgnorth. Let's see where I can go from here!

Walk Details

Distance - 8 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration - Slow Ways

Previous Slows Ways - Birmingham to Blackheath, Blackheath to Halesowen, Halesowen to Stourbridge, Stourbridge to Kinver, Kinver to Highley

03/10/24 - The Slow Way - Kinver to Highley

Highley, Closer than you think

5th Slow Way. Who would have thought that so quickly after setting off from Birmingham you could have such a wild countryside ramble? And if you'd asked me how far Highley was from Kinver, I would have said "too far to walk".

In reality, its 8 miles. 8 beautiful miles, where you know you are in for a good day's walking from the get-go. The Staffordshire Way providing the exit from Kinver.

Leaving Kinver.... or Cyinbre (Great Hill, in old English)

Out on the Staffordshire Way

Fine walking along good agricultural tracks that are holding up well to what was the dampest of Septembers. Field after field, Alverley - where a slight diversion could have taken you to the oldest pub in Shropshire and then through the Severn Valley Country Park for Highley.

Today's Views

Over the Severn Footbridge to Highley

The buses from Highley are hourly, but conversations with several locals determined that its quite random at which part of the hour they turn up. So time to explore, as long as you keep your eyes on the Diamond Bus app and their handy GPS locator page.

You could explore its mining history - a colliery running from 1878 until 1969.

I once found a Geocache attached to this

Or the only pub in town. There cannot be many places that have no Untappd check ins or reviews on Pubsgalore, but that is something I can fix.

A Survivor

I had little idea what to expect but it wasn't music playing at a volume that you would think a little loud in a nightclub. A handful of locals, half of which stared at me with an intensity that made me reminisce about my favourite films. Its been a while since I have watched American Werefolf in London, but Straw Dogs was rediscovered earlier in the year. 

No cask, so a very, very cold Guinness. Dry roasted added to take it over the minimum £5 spend. Confirmation that the bus stop back to Kidderminster is the little wall outside the undertakers. Plenty of chance to discuss with the locals about the quality of the service. A heart felt lament from a gent who truly regrets leaving the bright lights of Sandwell. Where once he had multiple transport options - even on a Sunday - he now has to do a 3 hour round trip for his single lunch time pint. He had other advice. Don't talk to the man with the multiple plastic bags.

As Jasper Carrott said, if you cannot spot the nutter on the bus, it means its you.

Time to see where the Slows Ways take me next. Bridgnorth, I imagine.

Walk Details

Distance - 8 Miles

Geocaches - 3

Walk Inspiration - Slow Ways

Previous Slows Ways - Birmingham to Blackheath, Blackheath to Halesowen, Halesowen to Stourbridge, Stourbridge to Kinver

08/09/24 - The Slow Way to Kinver

Too Early for a Bathams - From Anywhere

The Slow Ways tour of the West Midlands continues. What a resource.

From Stourbridge, I have a pre-planned route to Kinver.

Through Mary Stevens Park, where the temptation to join al fresco yoga is avoided. A stretch of road walking and soon out on the walk highlight, Bunkers Hill Wood.

Shady Woodland Walking

Historical Mid point refreshment available at the Manor House, Whittington. Got to love this country's pub. A C14th manor house, owned by the grandfather of Dick Whittington, with a priest hole used by Charles II to hide from parliamentary forces after the 1651 battle of Worcester. Steak and Wine for £20 on a Thursday. The advert neither owned up to how much wine or how much steak.

Was it really built in 1310?

This is what the adverts say

And onto Kinver, a town that also takes pride in its history. Many buildings with blue plaques detailing the history.  

Alas, the walk was too short and arrival at 11:30am means the usual Bathams at the Plough is unavailable. A brain wave - Vino Wine Stores sell slabs of Bathams. 12 bottles for the start of the Championship this weekend, where all three of the Baggies opening games are on TV.

Further disappointment, this too doesn't open until midday. And the Albion dont have a striker, so little to celebrate.

Still, a fine walk and whilst waiting my lift out, a chance to look at where Slow Ways will take me next? Home towards Kidderminster for a fine walk across the Edge, or a river crossing to Highley.

Public transport good for both. There may be a fork in the path

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration - Slow Ways

Previous Slows Ways - Birmingham to Blackheath, Blackheath to Halesowen, Halesowen to Stourbridge