of Tamworth and during during and Tamworth of snake’s where grassland

of a Saxon Water Mill, Mill, Water Saxon a of

Family Marmion the to floodplain rare of example

War II. War site the to near 1931 in

down passed The an is Tame River the of

via the river during World World during river the via opened were Grounds

and Bailey fashion castle. castle. fashion Bailey and channels two the between

possible enemy invasion invasion enemy possible Pleasure Castle The

built a typical Normal Mott Mott Normal typical a built island 61-acre This

Castle Grounds Castle Built to defend against against defend to Built

Nature Reserve Nature Robert Despenser who who Despenser Robert

Pillbox

Broad Meadow Local Local Meadow Broad education of Athelstan. of education Steward, Conqueror’s

in 1840. in her and reign her the William to given was

the Kingdom of . of Kingdom the

original, and was widened widened was and original, site castle the Conquest, establishing Danes, the

Tamworth was the seat of of seat the was Tamworth

flooding destroyed the the destroyed flooding Norman the Following Aethelflaed drove back back drove Aethelflaed

of King Offa, 757-796 AD, AD, 757-796 Offa, King of

It was rebuilt in 1796 after after 1796 in rebuilt was It listed. I Grade is Castle thousand years since since years thousand

Tame-settlers. In the reign reign the In Tame-settlers.

was first built in circa 1294. 1294. circa in built first was Tamworth fort, Saxon commemorates one one commemorates

known as “Tomsaete” or or “Tomsaete” as known

or ‘The Bridge of Our Lady’ Lady’ Our of Bridge ‘The or previous a of site likely the Unveiled in 1913, it it 1913, in Unveiled

Tame-town. They become become They Tame-town.

Athelstan Statue Athelstan Mary’ St. of Bridge ‘The on Century 11th the in Built

established “Tomtun” or or “Tomtun” established

Tamworth Castle Tamworth Ethelfleda & & Ethelfleda either as known

named “Tomworðig” and and “Tomworðig” named

The bridge, originally originally bridge, The

Council. June 1643. 1643. June Tame the by meadow open

Lady Bridge Lady

and Tamworth Borough Borough Tamworth and 25th on captured and an in landed then Angles

over the summer. the over Trust Wildlife forces during the Civil War War Civil the during forces The road. Roman a Street,

a number of free concerts concerts free of number a between Project Tamworth Parliamentarian by Watling nearby See AD. 409

The bandstand is host to to host is bandstand The About Wild the under besieged was It stone. in 43- between Romans the

Ankerside shopping centre. centre. shopping Ankerside managed is site The wild. remodelled was it 1294) by settled and tribe Coritni

development of the the of development growing found be can ownership (circa 1100 to to 1100 (circa ownership the of land the Originally

Follow advice and local signs. signs. local and advice  Follow n

Tamworth uncovered during the the during uncovered flowers fritillary head their six generation generation six their

others enjoying the outdoors the enjoying others

Walk highlights highlights Walk

Be considerate of locals and and locals of considerate  Be n

Keep dogs under effective control effective under dogs  Keep n

take your litter home litter your take

© R.Gries/WWT © Wells D. ©

Leave no trace of your visit and and visit your of trace no  Leave n Fritillary Head Snakes Lodge Holloway

find them and keep to paths to keep and them find

Leave gates and property as you you as property and gates  Leave n

your Countryside Code: Countryside your

Please be aware of this and know know and this of aware be Please

through wildlife friendly areas. areas. friendly wildlife through

Sections of this circular walk travel travel walk circular this of Sections

Countryside Code Countryside

© D. Wells D. © the Follow

Monument Ethelfleda

LICFIELD M6 TOLL TAMWORT Explore the landscape, history and M6 A444 wildlife of the Tame Valley Wetlands. Tamworth A453 M42 WOLERAMPTON MIDDLETON Stretching between Birmingham A5 KINGSBR

A452 Town R i and Tamworth is an extraordinary, ve NNEATON r COLESILL M5 Ta me hidden landscape on the doorstep BIRMINGAM M6 M6 Circular Walk of over one million people. SOLILL Medium: 6.5 km / 4 miles COENTR

M42 M42

Getting here Tamworth is located just off Junction 10 of the M42 and the A5. There are a number of car parks in the town – the walk starts from Tamworth Borough Council’s Jolly Sailor car park, off Fazeley Road, B78 3JJ, a short distance from the centre, which is also serviced by several bus routes. Please note this car park occasionally floods. For more information visit: www.tamworth.gov.uk This guide is available to download from the website. For more information visit: tamevalleywetlands.co.uk [email protected] Facebook.com/tamevalleywetlands @thetamevalley

This walk has been created with assistance from:

With thanks to Diane Wells and Ian Owen who provided the inspiration for this walk.

Cover image, Tamworth Castle ©Mark Alexander/Adobe. Content ©Tame Valley Wetlands Tamworth Castle Landscape Partnership C/O Recycle FSC ©Matteo Ceruti/Adobe Wildlife Trust after use Tamworth Train Station Oxbridge Way

L in c h ie l d R d TAMWORT

A51 Lichield St Tamworth Castle Sunset and Etheleda Close Statue Broad Meadow LNR 3 4 R iv er An ker River Tame Pillbox 5 The postcode for Lady Castle the start of the walk is Bridge Grounds B78 3JJ and the walk begins at Jolly Sailor car park, 2 at the grid reference – Bonehill 6 Snowdome SK 20557 03584. Road Faeley e Dri v Parking charges apply – Road River Football 1 more info can be found at BITTERSCOTE START/END Ground www.tamworth.gov.uk/ TAMWORT parking-charges entura Park TOWN shopping centre CIRCLAR KETTLEBROOK

Borrowpit Lake A453

200 yards A5 200 metres

Key Tamworth Town Directions: Walk highlight Tamworth Town Refreshments (circular route) Circular walk From the car park, too close to the riverbank follow the finger post and keep an eye out for Parking The Tame Way Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, 1 (River route) to the left towards a small cattle grazing the wet Bus stop ruled Mercia in the from bridge. After the bridge, grassland. 2 Route point 911 until her death in Tamworth on 12 turn right and follow the Train station Rejoin the path Road June 918 AD. Aethelflaed would have finger post along Fazeley alongside the A51 and Information Point Road, a wide pedestrian 3 Footpath walked or ridden through a landscape walk uphill, crossing the Library path towards the town of woodland, meadow and fields rich in River Tame then crossing Bridleway centre. In 85m, turn left Buildings wildlife. As the borough of Tamworth has over to your right near the through a kissing gate into Track expanded, it has retained some of those roundabout briefly onto Open water Lady Meadow, crossing Train track Lichfield Street. Take the wild spaces. They offer, like small jewels a culvert in 100m. Take a Woodland first right onto Sunset in a crown, the freedom of exploring a moment to look back at Close and walk for 110m semi-rural setting and the opportunity the view of Lady Bridge to the end of the road for a glimpse into her world. and Tamworth Castle, and back to the river. Turn (the concrete building in Distance: 6.5 km (4 miles) left and follow the path At the next split, take green, the old lido and the Lady Meadow alongside alongside the river for the right path and centenary rose garden Allow: 3 hours the Tame is a World War 5 450m past the rear of the then the right path again planted to celebrate II pillbox), then continue NOTICE: During adverse weather, Grade II listed Moat House at the next, joining a Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 along the path exiting the sections of this walk can flood. Please and to the north end of path alongside a stream years on the throne. meadow in 160m through use sound judgement and adhere to Lady Bridge where the feeding Borrowpit Lake Continue ahead along the a gate onto Bonehill Road. any warnings, restrictions or closures rivers’ Anker and Tame join. and passing beneath path coming to a bridge Turn right and use the River Drive. In 150m, cross over the River Tame in in place along the route. Turn left back onto pedestrian crossing the stream to your right, 200m. Cross the Tame 2 Fazeley Road then Landscape and path type: The route ahead to cross the A51, 4 exiting into the car park to reach the end of the immediately turn right uses unsurfaced footpaths through a then walk to your right over for the Snowdome. Walk Tamworth Town Trail. into the Castle Grounds, nature reserve with free roaming cattle the flood relief channel to your left around the admiring a closer view of and on surfaced pavements through and following the path Snowdome to another Tamworth Castle, following down to Broad Meadow bridge over River Drive, the town, along busy roads and over the path to a bridge over LNR. Follow the desire crossing back into the footbridges. There are kissing gates the Anker in 130m. Follow lines alongside the river to Castle Grounds area. and a stile during this walk. the cycle track to the take you in a loop around Sturdy footwear is recommended. left immediately after Follow the path ahead the island nature reserve the bridge, keeping to towards the skate park Map: OS Map 232 Nuneaton & – look for the beautiful 6 the left tracks when the and tennis courts, turning Tamworth, Lichfield & Atherstone. Snake’s Head Fritillary paths split alongside the left in 140m between the in flower in March/April. Dogs: Restricted to public rights of way Anker, passing beneath skate park and tennis You will see and hear the Anker Drive in 300m then courts. You can stop here through the nature reserve – please water from the weir at the keep dogs on a lead and under close crossing another culvert for refreshments and to Jubilee Roses furthest point west of this enjoy a view of the bowling © D. Wells control at all times. in 150m. Xxxloop. Be careful not to get