12/05/25 - West Midlands Way - Stage 6 - Part 2 - Alveley to Bridgnorth

Bathams Refused

Time to finish Stage 6 of the West Midlands Way. Back in March, I broke the walk up to allow sufficient time to enjoy Shropshire's Oldest Pub.

Which is where the 297 drops me off to resume walking.

A drop down to the River Severn through the Severn Valley Country Park. The river, my handrail until Hampton Loade.

Tranquil riverside walking

Long Distance Paths are swapped. The Jack Mytton Way taking me around Chelmarsh Reservoir and onto Astbury Hall. The C13th manor house destroyed by fire and rebuilt at the end of C19th by a carpet magnate.

Southern edge of Chelmarsh Reservoir

Astbury Hall, of course its for golf

The guidebook was written in 1972. That's 53 years and counting and isn't it lovely when the descriptions still hold true? After crossing the Severn Valley Railway at Upper Forge, it states that "you will be rewarded with a sea of bluebells, if in season".  'Tis the season.

A glade

I return to the river, where the only choice is where to drink. Not as easy as you would think. Bridgnorth is a real "Pub Town". I visited High Town last time, so off to the Good Beer Guide Black Horse in Low Town.

Take me to Low Town

The Black Horse

A very cheery welcome from the landlady and enough dawdling from myself that she could have identified me as an amateur, unsure what he wants when approaching the bar. The reason? Bathams identified among the six hand-pulled cask but so too is Three Tuns. In the interest of variety, I have turned down a Bathams.

This has never happened before.

If time had allowed, I am sure this would have been rectified, but a quick look at timetables shows my 297 departs from over the road and is in 25 minutes.

I think I need to return to Bridgnorth, just for the pubs.

Walk Details

Distance - 10 Miles

Geocaches - 3

Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6 (Part 1)

10/05/25 - London Spiral - Stage 19 - Hadley Wood to Carpenders Park

A Day-Saving Bushey Backstreet Boozer

Not sure what occupation the designers of the London Spiral have, but it's surely not route creation. This is a walk that I have to double-check to make sure I haven't plotted it incorrectly. But no, they really did want me to walk up Wagon Lane at the day's start. A country lane, with no pavements and the worst of Hertfordshire boy racers. I would say that at least 40% of the walk is similar.

If it wasn't for Bushey's Swan pub, I would be questioning what I am doing with my life.

Absolutely nothing of interest until reaching Elstree and Borehamwood, where I walk the high street expecting to find refreshment. I am not exaggerating when I say that barber shops outnumber pubs by more than a ten to one. The two pubs, Pick and Shovel and the Alfred Arms, both look too dull for even me. And my head was too sweaty to get a haircut. Instead, I get to learn about the British Film Industry though the many information boards dotted along.

A frankly terrible picture of Elstree Studios

Haircut, not pints - and Elizabeth Taylor

Aldenham Country Park offers some relief. In an attempt to lure families, they have re-created it as 100 Aker Wood and setup a number of Winnie the Pooh artifacts to hunt for. Of course, someone has set up an Adventure Lab Cache, so I try my best not to look suspicious among the families and gathering the clues. I dread to think what I would react if I were out with grandchildren and I saw myself loitering around.

100 Aker Wood

If there is one place that the solo man of advancing years is welcome, it's the pub. I checked the opening hours on Google Maps. To be honest, I expected little from a back street pub emblazoned with "Sky Sports" banners. But there was nothing else in the Good Beer Guide anywhere near.

Of course, it was a gem. Along a terraced street, with some outdoor patio seating, I was unable to take an external photo. The beauty is inside.

Proper

The ubiquitous Timothy Taylor Landlord was in fine condition. Taken outside with an elderly gent who called me brother and moaned about the price of a pint. He could spot a target audience who was prepared to not only listen but to join in. 

£5.40.

Not long before I was whisked back to Euston, where I could have given him something to really moan about.

Walk Information

Distance - 13 Miles

Start - Hadley Wood Station

Finish - Carpenders Park Station

Areas Walked - Elstree, Borehamwood and Bushey

Geocaches - 10

Pubs - 1

Previous Walks - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8, Stage 9, Stage 10, Stage 11, Stage 12, Stage 13, Stage 14, Stage 15, Stage 16, Stage 17, Stage 18  

09/05/25 - Pub Archaeology, Holdens and Geocaching in Trysull

Black Magic in the Black Country

I appreciate from the title of this blog that all my worlds have collided. 

I was in Trysull for a Geocaching round. You'll probably not be interested in Tupperware in bushes, but the walking in this are is very pleasant. Especially when you consider that its on the fringes of the Black Country and not far from Wolverhampton.

This is the Black Country

The village itself is ancient, mentioned in the Domesday book as "Treslei". Disappointinly, 66% of the pubs have closed down - leaving one remaining. A chance for a little pub archaeology. 

The Hollybush was found - now apartments, with little of interest. This is something that the Plough could not be accused off. An ancient postcard showing that structurally, the pub is easily identifiable. 

315

Nice bit of pub archeology at the former Plough, Trysull. Found on a 6m Geocaching trail

Spooky tales at the blog..... Which isn't mine 😄https://t.co/hJNHpSp1Mt pic.twitter.com/pCEuWOiYxc

— Mappiman (@Mappiman1) May 9, 2025

The only thing I can see that has changed in the c100 years is the placement of the sign labelled quarters. Now moved closer to the roof.

Unsure what this represents, but the other sign is to with a Cycling Club

My tweet references a blog-post detailing a rather disturbing past. A painting of the devil, links to children being involved in Black Magic rituals and tunnels to an unnamed "Green Man" gravestone. I can only assume this is in the church next to my open pub destination, The Bell. Have a read.

It would appear that it has been private accommodation since 2020, following a Marstons sell-off. A downstairs window was open and if someone had been there, I would have been tempted to ask if they knew the history. If the answer was no, they may not have slept well again, so probably for the best it was all quiet.

The Bell is a fine (finest) Holdens pub. Solid looking and "Pure Black Country" proudly displayed on the frontage. Too nice a day to sit inside, so a picnic table. Only slightly disturbing to see the old boys at the next table tucking into a roast dinner. In 24°C sunshine! On a Friday!

Pure Black Country....

.... Special

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 27

06/05/25 - Little Dartmouth and the Cherub Inn

Beams made from Ship's Timbers

A delightful final full day in the South Hams, visiting Dartmouth.

The walk is a beauty. They've all been beauties. Starting at the National Trust car park at Little Dartmouth, it's coastal walking to the where the Dart joins the sea. Mrs M proclaimed that the only way that this walk could be better would be if there was a cafe.

There is a cafe. Yet I cannot get quite as excited. My Bakewell slice was tiny, cost £3.80 and was devoured in two chomps. Mrs M told me to chomp on, as she was sick of my moaning.

Back to walking along Black Country Canals next week

Dartmouth Castle - home of the £3.80 thin slice

As is the norm for this part of the world, a lovely inland green lane takes us back to the start.

Where we use the car to reposition to the town centre. Lovely views, medieval architecture, bustling shops and a mood buoyed by free parking for two hours.

Kingswear from a parking space

Naturally enough, we make our way to the only Good Beer Guide Pub in Town. Yes, it may have the old trope about "Beams made from Ship's timbers" but it would appear to be true. This C14th merchant's house was nearly knocked down in the 1950s, where it was saved through renovation. That used reclaimed ship's timbers.

Ziggy, waiting to enter Dartmouth's oldest building

The nearby Seven Stars has the claim to be the oldest pub in town. But this is the oldest building, becoming a pub in the 1970s. A single-roomer downstairs, it's all I look for in a pub. Low ceilings, real fireplace, intimate surroundings and 50p off a pint for CAMRA members. 

Zoom in for this week's bargains - I might have to rejoin

It felt like a privilege to be able to enjoy a pint here. A lovely and fitting South Hams Devon Pride.

Walk Details

Distance - 4 Miles

Walk Inspiration - 40 Walks in Devon

Geocaches - 10