REAL ALE RAMBLE 344 Saturday May 10th

LIST YOUR LOCAL 1 mile in Walsall, 2 miles in Wednesbury, 1 mile in Stourbridge and 5 pubs

Following the tragic demise of the Crooked House in Himley in August 2023 the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) teamed up to review historic pubs throughout the region. The result was the ‘List Your Local’ campaign launched in September 2023. West Midlands residents were encouraged to nominate historically significant pubs in their area to the WMCA website. These were then examined with a view to applying for an ‘asset of community value’ status or the National Heritage List for England, administered by Historic England. By February 2024, 119 nominations had been received and of these five were put forward for listing. These five were the Pretty Bricks, Walsall; Ye Olde Leathern Bottle, Wednesbury; The Duke William, Stourbridge; The Mitre, Stourbridge and the Queen’s Head Inn, Stourbridge. Plenty there from Stourbridge then, but none from Coventry! I have allowed half an hour in each pub to appreciated the architectural wonders, and possibly a swift half pint as well!

Visiting these five pubs means criss-crossing the Birmingham conurbation, using a variety of modes of transport – for people my age you will need your WMCA ‘twirly’ pass, youngsters a daytripper ticket. We catch the 10.36 train from Coventry (platform 3) which arrives in Birmingham New Street (platform 3) at 10.56. The Walsall train leaves New Street (platform 4) art 11.15 and arrives in Walsall at 11.37. The platform numbers are those from my survey of this trip in March – they may well be different on the day!

Leaving the train at Walsall we can walk through Saddlers Shopping Centre or along Station Street, either way brings us to Park Street, where we go left. Then we fork right at Poundland and stroll slowly along Stafford Street to arrive at the PRETTY BRICKS for opening time. The real name of this pub is the New Inn, but it has a tiled exterior hence the popular name of ‘Pretty Bricks’. It is owned by the Black Country Brewery and it’s citation says:

‘Built in 1840, it was altered significantly in 1924 nut has remained relatively untouched since. It has a wonderful bar with stained glass screens on the lounge side and formidable kaleidoscopic carpets.’

After half an hour we do the 20 minutes return journey to the centre of Walsall, to Bradford Place to catch the No11 bus which runs from Walsall to Dudley (The 11A serves an estate and school). This leaves at 1.10. After passing under the M6 we see the Horse and Jockey pub on the right and the cemetery on the right. We alight here, there are stops on either side of Vicarage Lane. The scheduled time is 1.22 and a short walk will bring us to YE OLDE LEATHERN BOTTLE at about 1.30

‘Ye Olde Leathern Bottle dates from 1510 and boasts a beautiful timber-frame construction with a haunted snug’.

From here at 2.00 we do a bit of walking to cross Wednesbury to the Metro stop. We go right at the Rose Hill Tavern and pass St. Bartholomew’s church. Then we go down the hill at St. Bartholomew’s Terrace. Next we pass Wetherspoon’s (The Bellwether) and go through the Market Place, past the clock and through industrial areas to the tram route at 3.00 after an hour’s walk. As trams run every 10 – 12 minutes and it is a ten minute journey, we should be at The Hawthorns for 3.20 – ish. Here there is a train at 3.30 for Stourbridge, which arrives there at 3.57. Trains leave every 15 minutes.

At Stourbridge Junction we change to the cute little shuttle for Stourbridge Town station. From here we walk through the town, passing the Duke William and Mitre on our way to the QUEEN’S HEAD:

The Queen’s Head dates from 1862 and was once home to Edward Rutland’s brewery. It is another Black Country Ales pub and has low ceilings, bay windows and a cosy fireplace.’

Walking back into town we come to the MITRE again:

‘Founded as the Mitre Hotel in the early 1700’s, it was demolished for the road to be widened and rebuilt in 1934. Some features are thought to have been reused, such as the stained-glass windows and panelling. Also look for the moulded ceiling cornices, carved timber chimney-piece and side lamps with mitre-shaped fittings.

Lastly we come to the DUKE WILLIAM:

‘Built in 1820. It was the taproom for the North Worcestershire brewery, who brewed behind the pub. It was remodelled in 1903 with terracotta and glazed brickwork on the exterior. It was acquired by Wolverhampton and Dudley breweries (Banks’s) in 1914 and the brewery closed. However, it was purchased in 2009 by Craddock’s, with a new brewery being installed in 2011. Although the brewery has now moved elsewhere, it remains part of Craddock’s estate of five pubs.’

By now it should be around 5.30 or later and it is time to start our journey home, via Birmingham Snow Hill and a short walk to New Street, so we should be back between 6.30 and 7.00, although I have been quite generous with the timings, so possibly a little earlier.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 345 Saturday June 14th

THE LUXURY BAKERY, WYKEN 4 miles and 2 pubs

Today we are combining pints and pies again, and also a little nostalgia as this is the area where I was born and where my grandparents lived.

We meet at 12 noon at the RED LION in Walsgrave. If you drive there don’t forget to enter your registration number in the machine on the bar.

At 12.30 we set off upstream along the right bank of the River Sowe. This takes us to Hermes Crescent and then Wyken Croft. We go left and then right into Armscott Road. At the end we go left and right along Avon Street. Up the hill we come to Alfall Road an the right, where we find the LUXURY BAKERY. Here is the nostalgia bit. I was born in Wyken and seventy years ago I used to accompany my grandmother to this bakery, where she would buy a half ounce of fresh yeast to make her own bread, and it is still there! Admittedly under new ownership, but it is still the same bakery. I don’t think they remember me !

From the bakery we return down the hill to the DEVONSHIRE ARMS on Sewall Highway, once a grand suburban boozer and at one time run by Martin McKeown, but it is now a ‘Sizzler’, so no doubt I will be forced to resort to a glass of wine!

Then we carry on along Torcross Avenue until we come to Wyken Croft at Pinley Rugby Club. This is the last place that I played, admittedly 35 years ago now. It is here that my right leg decided to tell me it was time to pack it in and take up gentler pursuits such as long distance walking! Next to the rugby club is the church of St Mary Magdalene, the oldest roofed building in Coventry, where my parents were married and are now interred, so please indulge me if I go for a wander around the grounds.

After this we enter Wyken Croft Nature Park. This is a large open space, created not so much because of any altruistic feelings on the part of the authorities, but because it was the site of the Coventry rubbish tip until the 1950’s and 60’s and so was incapable of being developed. Through the nature park we return to the RED LION.

FUTURE EXPEDITIONS

All meeting times are 12 noon, unless specified otherwise.

These details are also available at in the ECHO newspaper and at https://coventry.camra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=57922

July LONG ITCHINGTON GREENWAY NORTH

Aug GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL

Sept GREENWAY AT MARTON

Oct NAPTON

Nov WEST’S BAKERY, WELLESBOURNE

Nov WEDGE’S BAKERY 2

Dec SAM GAMGEE’S BIRMINGHAM (Apothecary)

Jan ROBERTO’S BAR, HALESOWEN via Old Hill station

(Old Hill station - Halesowen 1.5 miles)

SUNDAY LUNCH WALKS

These walks all start at 12 noon. Copies of these walks can be obtained from Beer Gonzo in Earlsdon, or for more details contact moc.liamg@ttekculfg>

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 142 Sunday April 6th

BRANDON WOODS 3 miles, 1 pub & 1 cafe

COMMENTS: Some of the woodland paths can be muddy after rain

The re-opening of the Roseycombe has prompted me to repeat thus bluebell walk from last year, with variations. As we have done a few walks round the outside of these woods, this time I have planned a walk through the middle.

We meet at the ROSEYCOMBE on Rugby Road in Binley Woods. Hopefully the weather will be good enough to sit in the garden and admire the views over the fields and Old Lodge farm towards Brinbklow Road, whilst drinking Mad Goose or Taylor’s Landlord!

At 12.30 we set off along Rugby Road to the pedestrian crossing. Then we walk down Woodlands Road as far as the village shops. Here there is a bookshop-cum-general store, a farm shop that was closed when I was there and a Chinese takeaway amongst others. After the row of shops we go left and follow a road called ‘Court Leet’, with the woodland on our right. We soon come to Craven Avenue and the gate that gives access to the woods.

We take the path that leads straight on into the woods until we come to a T-junction by a pond. Turning right here we follow the path through the woodland, passing numerous benches and a second pond until eventually coming to a lone tree that stands in the middle of a junction of paths. We turn right here and cross a stream that feeds a distant, larger pond. Turning right again we follow a path with the edge of the woodland on our left and the stream on our right. Eventually we come to the gate that gives access to the park on our left.

We walk through to the CAFE IN THE PARK. Lets hope it is open and our Nepalese host is there! After suitable refreshment we walk up Birchwood Road to return to the ROSEYCOMBE.

Anyone fancy Sunday lunch?

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 143 Sunday May 4th

HIGHLAND ROAD ALLOTMENTS A few yards and 1 pub

Today we have very kindly been offered a stroll around the Highland Road allotments. I think it best to meet at the City Arms as everybody knows that and then take the short walk round to the allotments. We meet at 12 noon at the CITY ARMS and then at 12.30 stroll round to Highland Road for our guided tour.

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 144 Sunday June 8

SOURCE OF THE RIVER SHERBOURNE 6 miles & 2 pubs

COMMENTS: This is a proper country walk. It has uneven bits where you need to watch your footing plus low branches to limbo past!

I was asked some while ago to arrange walks to the sources of the Rivers Sherbourne and Sowe, so this month we have a walk from the source of the River Sherbourne almost as far as Allesley. At the great watershed of Corley Moor all the water that rises on the western slopes ultimately drains into the river Trent system, whilst all that on the east drains through the Sherbourne to the Avon and hence the Severn. This is an excellent lengthy country walk where in March Teddy and Freddy saw lots of buzzards and a deer.

We meet at 12 noon at the BULL AND BUTCHER in Corley Moor and walk back towards Brownshill Green along Wall Hill Lane. We go right into fields and pass the front of Slashpitts Farm. Here a trickle of a stream issues from the hedgerow alongside the road; this is the infant River Sherbourne. It flows through a pond here and continues southward, whilst our path takes us through fields to Watery Lane.

The lane becomes a deep, narrow sunken lane, so beware of traffic. When the lane turns 90 degrees right, we go left into fields and pass a second pond. This is another candidate for the source of the river as past Slashpitts Farm it runs underground before resurfacing here, except during exceptionally wet weather. Here Teddy and Freddy saw lots of buzzards.

Then we follow the eastern side of the valley, with the river below us. We pass Tidbury Castle farm. The next section of path is uneven, very lumpy and bumpy, so please be careful where you put your feet! After this we arrive at Breach Brook Farm.

Going south along this lane we cross the river before turning into Pikers Lane. Along here the little river runs alongside the roadway before passing under the lane. Now we go right into fields and follow the river on the valley side again. This path takes us to Hawkes End, where we cross the lane to enter more fields. Here we walk diagonally across the fields to arrive at a charming stretch of the river at Stone House.

We emerge onto Washbrook Lane, where we turn right, northwards, to begin our return journey. At Sherbourne Farmhouse we go left along a grassy track that takes us over a stream to Sherbourne Cottage on the driveway to Alton Hall Farm. When the drive turns sharp right we enter a field and follow the hedgerow to pass the farm. Across another field we come to a junction of lanes by the old Salmond’s saw mill. Following Harvest Hill Lane we take a pathway on the right just before The Briars. This takes us past a pond and under low, overhanging branches where a bit of limbo dancing is called for!

Through subsequent fields we come to the entrance to Hollyberry Hall, where we rejoin Watery Lane and pass through the sunken section again. Approaching Corley Moor we turn left along Green Lane. This takes us to Windmill Lane where Teddy and I came across a deer. Then we pass the windmill, now part of a house and then the RED LION for a well earned rest and some refreshment. After half an hour it is just a few yards back to the BULL AND BUTCHER

FUTURE EXPEDITIONS

Sunday July 6 SOURCE OF THE RIVER SOWE

Sunday Aug UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK SCULPTURE PARK

Sunday Sept BAGINTON AND STONELEIGH

Sunday Oct TRIUMPH TO WHITLEY (ROYAL OAK LONDON ROAD)

ARCHIVE (from Aug.2024)

AD)

Sunday Oct

REAL ALE RAMBLE 335 Saturday August 17 2024

HENLEY IN ARDEN 2 miles & 1 pub

---------------------------------------------------

COMMENTS: This walk is definitely dog friendly!

--------------------------------------------------

The old station buildings at Henley have recently been leased by the community and turned into a community-owned pub, which was also until recently the home of Henley Mile Brewery, so it is time to visit this pleasant little market town again. This time, instead of doing the usual obvious walks, such as the ice cream shop, High Street or castle mound, which we have plenty of times in the past, I thought we would walk the back streets and paths around the town, a sort-of beating the bounds, and most attractive it turned out to be.

We meet at 12 noon at the STATION and start walking at 12.30. Unfortunately the hourly trains from Birmingham Moor Street leave at 39 minutes past the hour and arrive at Henley at 17 minutes past. So its the 10.39 from Moor Street arriving at 11.17, or the 11.39 from Moor Street arriving at 12.17. Neither are particularly convenient, so I guess I shall be driving.

At 12.30 we start out and turn right out of the station approach and after fifty yards enter a footpath on the left. This passes a number of back streets before descending Barley Close to the A4189. Left here leads to the main cross roads, where there is a pedestrian crossing. Then after another few yards we enter Market Close, where Henley market used to stand. A right turn and across a grassed area brings us to a road alongside the River Alne. The second footbridge, at the end of the road, takes us to Alne Close, which we follow north to St Nicholas Church. Here there is a dog watering station, so this walk is most definitely dog-friendly!

We now enter a field. Instead of following the path up castle mound, as we have done before, we take the left hand footpath to enter the churchyard. Here we are looking down on the church on our left, a view I have never seen before. Across the churchyard our path takes us into the rural part of the walk, through fields. There is a turning on the left that passes through the hedgerow. This is not at all obvious, as I managed to miss it when surveying the walk. It comes up just as the view of the church tower begins to disappear amongst the trees and just before the field hedge turns 90degrees left. This path takes us over a footbridge and then diagonally right across a field.

Then the path follows the right bank of the river between fences. The river here is a pleasant stream flowing over a bed of pebbles, most attractive and it is not surprising that this is one of the few Warwickshire rivers to host dippers and otters.

Eventually the path leads us to a road where we turn left over a bridge. We now cross the High Street and enter Johnson Close and after a few yards take to another footpath. This crosses back streets again and then follows Chestnut Walk to return us to the STATION. Return trains leave at 59 minutes past the hour.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 336 Saturday September 21

ILSHAW HEATH 3 miles , 2 pubs & 1 bakery

This month we return after some years to the pleasant Arden country south of Solihull.

We meet at 12 noon at Wedge bakery

on School Lane, Ilshaw Heath. This was founded in 1850 by Edwin Dyer and in 1943 was bought by Jim Wedge, thereby getting its present name. I was considering getting the bus to this walk, but having visited the bakery I decided to drive so that I can take Sharon (and Teddy if he is around) and bring some food home! If you are driving you can either take the scenic route through Balsall Common, Knowle, Dorridge and Hockley Heath, or the A45 and M40 to junction 4, as shown on the map. Either way, you then follow Kineton Lane past the rear entrance to the Blythe Valley Business Park and go left at the new housing estate and you soon arrive at WEDGES BAKERY.

Wedges has a car park between the bakery itself and the canal. We meet here at 12 noon and leave at 12.30 to walk the canal. Going right we follow the canal as far as Salters Lane. Here we leave the canal and walk down to the BULLS HEAD for a rest.

After half an hour we walk along a lane to the BLUE BELL, which I note is still badges as a cider house. It was once the site of a home brew house, then in the early 1960 was bought by Bulmers to become one of its small estate of cider houses. Around the turn of the century Bulmers sold these so now it is more a pub with cider than a cider house. I doubt it sells draught still cider any more, nor bottles of Bulmers No7! It does have a good canalside garden though!

After half an hour we walk back along the canal to WEDGES BAKERY, where we can spend more time over pies and cakes before taking some home with us!

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 136 Sunday Oct 6th

COUNDON AND RADFORD 4 miles & 2 pubs

----------------------------------------------------------------

COMMENTS: Possible a little overgrown in Coundon Wedge

----------------------------------------------------------------

This month I have arranged a walk around a couple of suburbs that we haven’t visited much before. We will connect little buts of greenery scattered amongst the housing estates. We meet at the HOLYHEAD pub on Holyhead Road at 12 noon and set off along Moseley Avenue at 12.30.

Soon we come to a grassy field on our left, which was left as a recreational area for the surrounding housing. It doesn't appear to have an name, at least I have never seen one, yet it is a pleasant oasis alongside the traffic of Moseley Road.

Leaving here we cross Coundon Road and walk along Banks Road. This takes us to Radford Common, at least the postage stamp-sized piece of grass which is all that is left of the common that was part of the vast medieval common lands that once encircled Coventry. From the common we follow the green, tree-lined Keresley Road, before cutting across the grassy verge to walk through the lawns of a housing estate. Then we walk around the perimeter of Bablake Playing Fields and come to Norman Place Road. From here we are soon at the NUGGET in Coundon Green.

After half an hour we start out again and take the path past the schools to enter Coundon Wedge. We walk around the woodland until we come to a gate that takes us into the car park of Coundon Social Club. Then the access road take us to the riverside path in Coundon Wedge. We follow the Sherbourne downstream to Holyhead Road. We pass the shops and enter Lakeview Park to return to the HOLYHEAD.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 337 Saturday October 26

BIRMINGHAM WEST 2 miles & 4 pubs

For some while now I have wanted to travel the Metro west, in the opposite direction to the original line, which we have explored in the past. Now that the Metro reaches Edgbaston it is time to do this. The terminus is now ‘Edgbaston Village’, which sounds almost as ridiculous as ‘Earlsdon Village’, however there musty be a grain of truth in both terms, as both Edgbaston and Earlsdon were presumable separate villages once.

I realize that some people will say that I have missed a trick by not doing the Stirchley Mile, but I will do this in the new year. As it is I intend to get the metro to Edgbaston and visit three Good Beer Guide pubs on the way back into Birmingham. Certainly Edgbaston is an attractive leafy suburb with white painted stucco houses.

I aim to catch the 11.15 train from Coventry which arrives at Birmingham New Street at 11.44. At New Street I shall catch the tram to the terminus at Edgbaston and then walk down Highfield Road to the PHYSICIAN for shortly after 12.00.

At 12.30 we set off walking through the leafy roads, rather than going via Fiveways. We turn right into Greenfield Crescent, an attractive arc of houses many of which have been turned into bars. Here is LOKI BAR, part of the chain of wine bars that also have a premises in Knowle. I still have my card from the last time we went to Knowle, so I shall pop in, see how much is left on mu card, and have a glass or two of wine.

From there we follow St James’ Lane and pass the pretty garden of George Cadbury’s House. We cross the canal here, but there is no away down to the towpath, so we have to go to Fiveways Station to obtain access. Then we follow the canal for a short distance to Granville Street in order to reach the CRAVEN ARMS.

After the Craven Arms we can cross the dual carriageway at the pagoda roundabout into the city centre and walk up to the POST OFFICE VAULTS. Then people can go freestyle and visit anywhere they wish, though I have a curiosity to see the new Wetherspoon’s, the LONDON AND GREAT WESTERN before catching a return train.

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 137 Sunday Nov 3rd

BEATING THE BOUNDS OF EARLSDON 5 miles & 2 pubs

This month’s walk come courtesy of Earlsdon Online’s Earlsdon Parish Boundary Walk, with a couple of minor alterations.

We meet at the CITY ARMS in Earlsdon at 12 noon and set off at 12.30 along Earlsdon Avenue North. We walk up to the traffic lights on Hearsall lane and enter Hearsall Common. Then we follow the length of the Common through woodland before turning south to reach Broad Lane. We follow the western edge of the Common past the Hore Well and the site of the lost village of Horewell, which is still with us today in the name ‘Hearsall’, which is a corruption of ‘Horewell’.

We come to Canley Road and cross the railway by Canley Station, continuing to Fletchamstead Highway. Here we cross the dual carriageway to the PHANTOM COACH for half an hour’s rest and relaxation at the half way point.

After this we walk down to the pedestrian crossing to cross the road and enter Canley Ford. He we cross Canley Brook and walk along the lane to Kenilworth Road. Across this road we pass through Stivichale Common to enter the War Memorial Park. We pass Coat of Arms Bridge and follow the edge of the park northwards. Then we pass the War Memorial and recross Kenilworth Road to go through Top Green. From there we cross Spencer Road and go through Spencer park to reach Albany Road, which brings us back to the CITY ARMS.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 338 Saturday November 16th

LONG ITCHINGTON GREENWAY SOUTH 2 miles & 1 pub

Some of you will remember that we walked the greenway north a year or two ago. Well now we will follow the greenway in the opposite direction, south towards the village of Long Itchington.

We meet at the GREEN MAN at 12 noon as we know that this pub was open on a Saturday lunchtime the last time we were here.. At 12.30 we set off along the lane, over the River Itchen to reach the greenway. At the bridge we go south-east and after a few hundred yards the greenway bridges the canal and then the river. The greenway peters out here at an overgrown cutting so after looking down at the river we have to turn back to the canal.

Following the canal we get views of the church and village through the trees. Then at bridge 25 the main road crosses the canal. Here we go through a gate into a field. Through gates and across a track we come to a footbridge over a stream. Then across another field we come to a track that takes us back to the village near the pond and a rather fine modern war memorial. We turn left here and go through the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church. Past the Co-operative store we return to the GREEN MAN. Other pubs are available in Long Itchington!

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 138 Sunday Dec 1st

EARLSDON STREET 100 yards & 4-6 cafes

Well, Christmas is on its way, so its time to start the festivities with our annual Earlsdon Street cafe crawl again. This started some years ago as a way of highlighting the proliferation of alcohol licences on the high street and has become a bit of a tradition now. People are welcome to join us for a chat and a drink and then depart again as they wish.

We meet at 12 noon at CAFE BRAVO. After half an hour or so we move on to ANGELITO and then ANATOLIA., which are next door to each other.

Then we have to walk past a couple of shops before coming to SURF AND SLICE and NEXT DOOR, which again are next to each other. They are both owned by the same management and it is possible that Next Door will not be open on a Sunday afternoon. We shall see.

After this we have to pass more shops before coming to STREET, which again may not be open on a Sunday afternoon, so again we shall find out. After this people can decide whether to return home or end at one of the more conventionally ‘pubby’ premises such as the Royal Oak, Mills’s, Beer Gonzo or the City Arms.

See you at Cafe Bravo

Fred and Sharon

REAL ALE RAMBLE 339 Saturday December 14th

WINDMILL HILL BREWERY TAP, LEAMINGTON 3 miles & 6 pubs

This month we are off to Leamington again, after a gap of around a year, this time to visit the Windmill Hill Brewery Tap, amongst others. I shall be catching the 12 noon train from Coventry Station, which arrives in Leamington at 12.16. Other forms of transport are available but I prefer 15 minutes on a train to over the Ho Chi Minh Trail by bus! I should get to TEMPERANCE bar around 12.30. Here we will have to drink a bottle or something like that as they don’t do real ale.

Then we move on to the BOILER ROOM before a gentle stroll through Jephson Gardens, where we can pop into the hot house to see the exotic plants. We emerge onto Willes Road and then Willes Terrace takes us to the NEW INN, which is in the 2025 Good Beer Guide, after an absence of many years. It will be interesting to visit the old pub again.

After this we walk back into town along Radford Road. When we reach the Radford Road Church we turn left into Camberwell Terrace. Straight on here under a railway viaduct takes us to the industrial units in the arches that are home to both BRUBL and WINDMILL HILL.

Brubl opens at 1.00 p.m. but Windmill Hill not until 2.30, so I guess it will be Brubl first!

After Windmill Hill we pass under the next railway viaduct, turn left and come to the canal. We go right here and along the towpath to the next bridge. Here we leave the canal and cross Clemens Street to the MICRO PUG, which was previously ‘Procaffinate’. I note that Clemens Street contains a Greek restaurant, a Greek cafe and a Portuguese grocers cum bakery. Yummy.

After leaving Micro Pug we return to the station for the next train home.

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 140 Sunday February 2nd

ALAN HIGGS CENTRE 2 miles & 1 cafe

I was unaware of the footbridge over the River Sowe here until my grand daughter pointed it out a couple of years ago. I have finally got around to organising a walk over it now.

We meet at 12 noon at COFA’S CAFE, part of the Alan Higgs Centre. In the last couple of years this cafe has moved within the building and become substantially bigger. Although dogs are not allowed inside, there are picnic tables outside, so it is possible that Teddy may be with us!

At 12.30 we set off past the football pitches. Towards the end of the pitches the path veers left down to the footbridge over the river. Over the bridge we go left and walk across the grassy meadows between the rivers and Willenhall. The path here was flooded in December, so I will have to go and check it out before we do the walk. Lets hope its not flooded in February.

Eventually we come to Tarquin Close. From there we go under the railway line and reach Langbank Avenue. Going left along the Avenue we pass a Social Club, Presbytery, church and school, all part of the Corpus Christi complex. The we join a path alongside the river and cross it by bridge again. Next we follow Allard Way under the railway and back to the Alan Higgs Centre for COFA’S CAFE again.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 341 Saturday February 22nd

STIRCHLEY MILE 2 miles & 6 or 7 pubs

This month we are going to walk the Stirchley Mile. This is a walk that the Coventry Branch of CAMRA did more than a year ago, so I have quite shamelessly cribbed it! Although it is called the Stirchley Mile you will have walked 2 miles by the time that we have visited all the venues.

We meet at Coventry station and catch the 11.27 train which arrives at Birmingham New Street at 11.48, where we change to the 11.53 to Bromsgrove. We arrive at Kings Norton at 12.08 and turn left out of the station to the roundabout at Cotteridge. Here we come to a micropub called the RED BEEER’D.

After 30 minutes we leave to follow Pershore Road past Dell Street and into the Waterside Business Park, where we find the GLASSHOUSE BREWERY. There have been rumours that this has closed, but in fact the bar has been closed while all hands we occupied satisfying the Christmas demand. I have been assured that the bar will have re-opened by the time that we are there.

After this we continued along Pershore Road as far as Hazelwell Road. This takes us to Stirchley Trading Estate where BIRMINGHAM BREWERY is based, with a most attractive outdoor drinking area.

Again we continue along Pershore Road as far as the BRITISH OAK, a pub well known for its oak panelled rooms. Although not as elaborate as the Barton’s Arms, this is Grade II Listed. It is a relatively intact 1920’s roadhouse pub. The original suite of rooms have survived with their original seating, ceiling plasterwork, fireplaces, flooring, stained glass windows and wood panelling.

Across the main road there is another micro-pub, the CORK & CAGE. Then slightly south there is the WILDCAT brewery tap at 1381-1383 Pershore Road. I couldn’t find this on my survey, so perhaps it is closed mid-week. Lets hope we have better luck this time!

From here we continue south to Mary Vale Road and go uphill towards Bournville Station. ATTIC BREWERY BAR is just before the canal and railway bridge. When we finish here we can catch the next train to New Street. There are three an hour, so it shouldn’t take any planning.

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 141 Sunday March 2nd

BALSALL COMMON HERITAGE TRAIL 7 miles & 3 pubs

COMMENTS: This walk can be muddy in places after rainfall.

This walk is one of the best ones we have done over the years: it is a long one, with lots of listed buildings, footpaths, fields and three pubs.

Balsall Common itself was a typical Arden settlement of scattered hamlets with no recognisable centre in the parish of Berkswell until recent times. This explains why the station and windmill are both still called Berkswell rather than Balsall. There are three cafes in the village, but because I have made this a Sunday walk, their restricted opening hours means that we cannot use them. I shall arrange a Saturday walk in the future to take them in.

We meet at the BRICKMAKERS ARMS at 12 noon. This is something of a change as we usually meet at the Railway, but this time I thought we could vary things a little! At 12.30 we set off towards the centre of the modern village. We soon come to the OLD VILLAGE STORE and on its left the old butcher’s shop with its abattoir. We then walk down Sunnyside Lane to SUNNYSIDE HOUSE, which was built in 1763 to replace an older house. We are now passing through the old hamlet of Oldnall End. Now we follow Barrett’s Lane and pass SUNNYSIDE FARMHOUSE, a listed timber framed house. Further along is POOL ORCHARD, an attractive old house with its own pool. This dated from the 17th century and has a sandstone base with timber frame.

We continue to follow the lane until it turns sharp left towards BARRETT’S LANE FARM. This is thought to have been built in 1570 on land owned by Berkswell Charities but can only be seen in the distance. Here we continue through fields until we come to a small field of medieval RIDGE AND FURROW. These do not stand out markedly today, but can be followed as the furrows are filled with reeds. The vegetation gives them away!

Next we pass the TINGSTED, said to have been a Viking meeting place, but I guess this is a recreation. From here we walk to Windmill Lane, passing the old POST OFFICE shop and the cottage that pre-dated it, with a post box embedded in its wall. Windmill Lane takes us to BERKSWELL WINDMILL. This is a stretch of lane without a path, so please be careful of traffic. The windmill was originally a post-mill dating from 1706 but is now a four-bladed tower mill. In 1927 the blades were halted and the mill wheels were turned by diesel engine until 1948. The mill was restored between 1973 and 1975 and it is now the best surviving example of a Warwickshire tower mill.

Just past the windmill a path cuts through to the main road, going through five successive gates. We have to cross the main road to use the path that follows that side. We walk back towards the centre of the village until we come to the drive to Harper Fields Care Home. We follow this until we come to a gate on the right, alongside the cottage that was John Sillett’s home until his death. That’s one for the football fans!

Here a path takes us in a broad curve, through boggy patches, to a farm track. We pass a derelict country house and cross Holly Lane into Frog Lane at COTTAGE FARM. This dates from 1744 and is built on a base of sandstone blocks. Further on we pass FROGMORE GRANGE, dating from the 17th century with additions in c1810. It was formerly called Balsall House, the official residence of the Squire of Balsall.

Frog Lane takes us to Balsall Street at the OLD FORGE. The forge, blacksmith’s cottage, sawmill and wheelwright’s shop were once the centre of life at this end of Balsall Common. It is at the forge that the Arden car was built, or should that be assembled, the only car ever to be built in Balsall Common. There is an example in Coventry’s Motor Museum.

COURT stands opposite, a former farm with barns. This was first recorded in 1736, when it was owned by Lady Katherine Leveson’s Charity of Temple Balsall. The thatched barn is a listed building.

We continue along Balsall Street and pass the entrance to Oakes Farm. Then we join a path on our left that skirts housing to reach Long Brook Lane and then Magpie Lane where we come to MAGPIE FARM, a black and white timber framed building, dating from 1560, with a central Elizabethan fireplace. It was formerly called Churchfield Farm. The next building is BALSALL OLD FARMHOUSE, a 17th century red brick building with some timber framing and a contemporary red brick chimney stack.

Next we can take a break at the SARACEN’S HEAD, which dates back to the 13th century, when the Knights Templar owned Temple Balsall and were fighting the Saracens in the Holy Land, although the main building is Elizabethan and later still it was a coaching inn.

After 30 minutes rest we continue and pass TEMPLARS’ COTTAGE, which was built in the 15th century and was three labourers’ tenements before being converted into a single dwelling in 1948. At the end of the row of houses here we start the real country section of this walk by passing through a gap in the roadside hedge opposite. Here we walk through typical Warwickshire countryside of fields, hedges, trees and ponds, before passing the frontage of WOOTTON GRANGE, a Victorian edifice that has now been split into five different houses. Through more fields, with a stand of conifers to our right as a landmark, we come to Wootton Lane, where we go right and walk through another old hamlet called WOOTTON GREEN. We pass WOOTTON GREEN FARM and then BLYTH PRIOR, a little timber-framed cottage with whitewashed brickwork, thought to date to the 1600’s. I admired this chocolate-box cottage when I delivered the post here and, what do you know, its for sale!

Back on the main road we pass Old Lodge Farm Antique Centre before coming to the GEORGE IN THE TREE. This dates from at least the 18th century. It took its name from the four Hanoverian Kings called George and, as it stands back from the road, its sign hung from a large roadside elm so it became the ‘George in the Tree’. It stood on the drovers’ route from Wales to London and the drovers would enclose their animals in the grounds overnight. Today people are enclosed here as it is now the site of a Premier Inn, so I guess it is more a hotel bar than a pub, but we shall see. Here we can take another 30 minutes rest before continuing our expedition.

From the George we cross the road and walk through playing fields. Then across more roads we join the woodland path that leads to LAVENDER HALL FISHERY. The cafe here closed at 1 p.m. I am afraid, but we can look at the pools and the HS2 works and I will organise that walk to the cafes of Balsall for a few months time. Now we soon return to the BRICKMAKERS ARMS to finish the day.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 342 Saturday March 15th

STANDARD SWEET CENTRE 3 miles, 2 pubs and 1 Indian Cafe

This month we are going to explore the back streets of Foleshill. Not the most scenic of walks and there is plenty of rubbish scattered around, but there are also some fascinating sights, industrial archaeology and parts of the city we don’t usually visit.

We meet at 12noon at BYATT’S BREWERY in Lythall’s Lane Industrial Estate. At 12.30 we set off along Lythall’s Lane towards Foleshill Road. At the corner we find Copper Beech Close on our right. Past a couple of houses we follow the close as it becomes a path. It passes the old Dunlop sports field and Holbrook Primary School, and then takes a bridge over Phoenix Way to Beresford Avenue. We turn right and on the right side of the road is an industrial area, once the site of the Riley car factory.

We turn left into Medina Road, then Victory Road and St. Mary’s Road. Pennington Way is next and where Rocken End starts we find a path that takes us to Station Street West. Left along here we pass the old Angel Inn, now a Punjabi Vegetarian Restaurant: now there’s a possible future walk!

We soon come to the STANDARD SWEET CENTRE on the crossroads at Foleshill Road, where we can indulge in spicy snacks or sweet confections.

After half an hour we move on along Eld Road. We pass St. Elizabeth’s Roman Catholic Church and turn right into Cross Road. We walk past Gallagher Retail Park on the site of Alfred Herbert’s factory. Soon we have the opportunity of another break at the SIGNAL BOX.

Another 30 minutes later we join the canal towpath and walk parallel to the old Alfred Herbert’s site on the opposite bank. At one point we pass an old milestone with 3 and 2 on its faces. I guess that is 3 miles from Coventry basin and 2 miles to Hawkesbury Junction. Opposite is a view through the factory site to Cross Road. Soon we join Phoenix way and walk back to Lythall’s Lane to return to BYATTS again.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 342 Saturday April 12th

HENLEY IN ARDEN, THE CROFTS 2 miles and some pubs

The walking group are spending the weekend of April 11 – 14 in Henley in Arden. So I thought we could invite anyone who wants to join us for the day to come along on the Saturday..

Henley was a noted coaching town, the first stop south of Birmingham. The High Street was lined with innumerable inns and became known as the ‘Henley Mile’ because of its length. On the western side of the High Street these inns had burgage plots behind them and beyond that crofts for grazing, because of the number of horses involved in coaching. A number of paths from the High Street gave access to these crofts with a lane connected the rear of them all. This lay-out is not apparent on the eastern side of the street because of the proximity of the river and new housing development.

A few years ago we walked the maze of old lanes and paths called ‘Shuts’ in Shrewsbury. Similarly we can walk the old lanes in Henley that led from the High Street to the crofts behind. We start from the BLACK SWAN at the north end of High Street, meeting at 12 noon and starting out at 12.30. The first two paths are short and uninteresting but from Doctor’s Lane southwards the lanes contain old cottages and views of the town, as they go up and down from the rear lane, which is now mainly a footpath.

During our visits to the High Street we can pop into the shops and cafes etc and decide where we want to eat in the evening and on Sunday.

Finally we reach the main road at the south end of the town. This is where we turn back along the opposite side of the High Street. Where the building line veers away from the road is the southern end of the eastern carriageway, now called Back Lane. Here we follow Horsefair and then turn left into Stylers Way to return to the High Street. We can have a look at the church of St John before walking up Beaudesert Lane to enter the Jubilee (Riverside) Gardens. Today the River Alne is particularly unpolluted and one of the few Warwickshire rivers to host both dippers and otters. Then through Guildhall Garden we come to Back Lane, all that is left of the northern end of the eastern carriageway. From here we walk past numerous shops, cafes and restaurants to return to the BLACK SWAN.