Smestow Valley Railway Walk

This walk explores the Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve in Wolverhampton.
The reserve is located to the west of the city centre on the pretty Smestow Brook. The site is great for an easy cycle or walk along the old South Staffordshire Railway Line which runs through the park.... Features include meadows, scrubland and woodland with lots of wildlife to look out for on the way.
There's also easy waterside trails along the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. You could extend your outing by heading south west along the towpath to visit Wightwick Manor. The National Trust owned site includes an historic Victorian half-timbered Manor House with gardens and a collection of paintings and ceramics.
Postcode: WV6 8NX
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Nearby there's the village of Perton where there's a nice cyling and walking trail along the River Penk which runs between two pretty lakes. You can then go on to explore the attractive countryside around the historic Wrottesley Park and Wrottesley Hall.

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Nearby Routes

South Staffordshire Railway Walk Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Wightwick Manor Perton

Photos

Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, Wolverhampton. The bridge used to carry a single line railway from Wolverhampton to Stourbridge, but is now used as part of the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve, a valuable local leisure facility. Of course, angling is another popular activity, and this canal is ideal.

Dismantled Railway, Claregate. The nearest station to this point was at Tettenhall.

This appears to be a track leading to the various schools and colleges which are just visible beyond the trees. The view is from the trackbed of the former Wombourne Branch of the Wolverhampton to Stourbridge railway, closed in 1965

Dismantled Railway, Compton, Wolverhampton. Looking towards Oxley. The trackbed is now part of the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve. The railway ran to Stourbridge, carrying passengers for a mere seven years up to 1932. The last freight train passed in June 1965.

Nature Reserve and Canal

Meccano Bridge and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. This dramatic structure was built for the short-lived Wolverhampton to Stourbridge Junction branch line of the Great Western Railway.

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