This was the perfect little trip for a sunny January afternoon. Introducing a couple of friends to the A-to-Zedding mentality we set out to The Peacock, a country pub on p160 of the Birmingham A-to-Z, via p159 and some very muddy fields. We were almost derailed at the beginning on discovery that C had a GPS phone (certainly not usual zedding equipment) but he graciously turned it off and trusted the A-to-Z to guide our footsteps.How to get there? We took the no 45 bus from Stirchley and got off at the Man on the Moon pub near Redhill road (random fact: the pub used to be called the Man in the Moon but changed its name after the first manned moon landing). You could however approach The Peacock from the other direction and get a bus to Wythall. Either way you'll find some nice footpaths to explore.
The walk We found a footpath which runs along the side of the playing fields in West Heath and then takes you across some fields. We crossed, unknowingly, over Wasthill tunnel (the longest on the Worcester and Birmingham canal) - strange to think that narrowboats could be passing beneath our feet in the dark.Through the fields, and around stiles, there was a lot of mud and water, and a small amount of falling over.
The destination mmm... log fire, good wine, friends and amazing food. Cannot recommend the Peacock highly enough. Ok, it's a little bit pretentious but 3 courses for £12 is good value! I had goats cheese and beetroot fondue, followed by tagliatelle,followed by bread and butter pudding made from toasted teacakes. I would have walked across many more muddy fields just for that pudding.
We walked back to West Heath via Icknield Street, which follows the way of Ryknild Street, a Roman Road, the remnants of which you can see in Sutton Park. A slight detour took us along the wonderfully named Grimpits Lane and the water-logged Goodrest Lane. Warning: do not offer to give people piggy-backs through deep muddy puddles. It will end in tears.
All in all, a happy A-to-Zedding afternoon. It's pretty much the closest bit of green countryside to our bit of Birmingham. There's an interesting view of Hawkesley's tower blocks, the new QE hospital, suburban lights and the BT tower, as you drop down into the city again via Primrose Hill.
4 comments:
You should try going the other way from West Heath as well. From the Man on the Moon, along the Redditch Road past Longbridge Lane, then just around the bend there is a slightly overgrown footpath skirting Grovely Hall farm, which soon opens out and follows through fields down to the Upper Bittell Reservoir.
Turn right and follow around the edge of the reservoir (very muddy in places) then through fields again to Cofton Richards Farm.
[Don't try the path direct from Longbridge Lane to Cofton Richards Farm, it's practically non-existent on the ground and no fun at all]
After the farm you come out onto Church Lane. Continue along the lane and under the railway then take a right to follow paths up to Barnt Green Road and the Lickey Hills; you can climb up to the visitor centre then down to Rose Hill and back to get the 62 from Rednal (or even carry on to the Waseley Hills and Gannow for the 61). This stays on the A-Z all the ay.
Alternatively you can turn left and follow paths and then the Worcs and Birmingham Canal down to Alvechurch, but that will take you off the A-Z.
Jack, that's fabulous! Thank you for the tip, sounds like a great walk, we'll try it sometime.
Grimpits Lane - almost as quality as 'Darkie Avenue' that I found down in Devon!
Wtih Regards Ever
John
Hi Rosie, recently discovered these folks
http://barg.org.uk/make/market_pong/
They share the zedding spirit!
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