A MINI GUIDE TO Galton Valley walk Canals, wildlife, industrial heritage or just walking in Cycling and walking pleasant surroundings, Galton Valley has something around Sandwell to suit all. We’ve chosen a circular route featuring The Old Main Line and a pleasant woodland area. Malthouse Stables Location: 1. We recommend you start visit at the Galton Valley Canal A stroll to the west will lead you Galton Valley, Sandwell your walk at Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre. to Galton Bridge, the largest Start/Finish: Heritage Centre – a former public single span bridge at the time Galton Valley Heritage Centre 4. Walking past the station, house. The Centre offers visitors of its creation. Look out for Distance: 2 miles/3 km (approx) continue along The Old Main Line the opportunity to travel back into a variety of wild flowers, Duration: 45 mins (approx) towards the Summit Tunnel. Type: Circular the past and enjoy an introduction attracting birds and butterflies waterscape.com Conditions: Hard surfaced/ to the canals of the area. 5. Just before the tunnel take you wouldn’t expect to find here. steps in places/ some areas British Waterways the steps off to the left leading can be rough or muddy 2. Take a right turn out of the Visitor Information Centre to a wooded area. Access point: centre and walk along, following Cambrian House The PUBLIC Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick 6. Follow this path as it doubles King Edwards Road the brown sign for Smethwick Galton Valley Birmingham B1 2AN Car parking: New Pumping Station onto the back between The Old Main Line Heritage Centre, Brasshouse Lane Tel: 0121 236 4162 towpath of The Old Main Line. and The New Main Line. Steps at the end of the path rejoin the This leaflet is available 3. The pumping station, an Old Main Line. in alternative formats example of Victorian engineering upon request. was originally opened in 1892 7. Turn right and retrace your and used to pump water from steps back to the heritage centre. the bottom level of the canal Alternatively, walk down the steps to the top in the days of heavy and explore The New Main Line. boat traffic. You can arrange a Find your nearest canal at waterscape.com Galton Valley Heritage Centre Sheepwash Nature Reserve to be discovered in Sandwell. Sandwell. in discovered be to Neptune walk walks and cycle routes just waiting waiting just routes cycle and walks introduction to some of the great great the of some to introduction The Neptune is a circular 4 mile walk along the quiet This handy guide is a brief brief a is guide handy This New Main Line, and Old Main Line Canals. It also heart of the town. the of heart makes an excellent cycle route, and finishes next pecies right into the the into right pecies and animal s animal and to a pub. Branch bring a diversity of plant plant of diversity a bring Branch constructed in 1829 by Thomas Thomas by 1829 in constructed Titford Pool and the Ridgacre Ridgacre the and Pool Titford as the magnificent Galton Bridge, Bridge, Galton magnificent the as in the tranquil waters of the the of waters tranquil the in important industrial past, such such past, industrial important Location: Neptune Health Park, 2. Follow the towpath downhill, 4. When you reach Dudley Port abundance of wildlife flourishes flourishes wildlife of abundance with reminders of the area’s area’s the of reminders with Tipton, Sandwell along the scenic Factory Lock. Junction, walk across both of the Just a few miles away, an an away, miles few a Just The waterside landscape is filled filled is landscape waterside The Start/Finish: Neptune Health Park Look out for the rope markings iron footbridges and proceed to Main Line 20 feet below. below. feet 20 Line Main and branches and Distance: 4 miles/6.5km (approx) cut into Wood Street Bridge your left along the Netherton Engine Arm Canal above The New New The above Canal Arm Engine of Sandwell’s 14 historic canals canals historic 14 Sandwell’s of Duration: 1 hour 20 mins (approx) and the split bridge at one of Branch. From the iron footbridge Aqueduct, built to carry the the carry to built Aqueduct, way to appreciate the diversity diversity the appreciate to way Type: Circular the locks, designed to let the you can see Sheepwash Nature Telford, and the Engine Arm Arm Engine the and Telford, Walking and cycling is an ideal ideal an is cycling and Walking Conditions: Hard surfaced/ towing rope pass through and Reserve, which is accessible flat/using existing towpaths save unhitching the horse. from Park Lane East. Access point: Owen Street, Tipton After passing a picnic area to Car parking: Neptune Health Park 5. Follow the sloped access on the left, cross a small bridge the right up to Tividale Aqueduct and continue along the canal, and turn right. Continue along looking out for the boat yard the towpath of The Old Main Line. 1. Walk round to the right of on the left. Neptune Health Centre, cross 6. After the Tipton Green Bridge, 3. Continue along the towpath, the bridge and face the canal. climb the steps onto the road, and the Titanic the and over several more bridges. turn left onto Beehive Walk and Turn right onto the towpath. Notice the railway line to your Telford, Titford Telford, walk under Owen Street Bridge. Cross the first footbridge and, left; many of the first railways facing the canal, turn left onto were built following established 7. Double back over the bridge The Old Main Line. YOUR LOCAL CANAL LOCAL YOUR canal routes. and return to the Neptune car park. Galton Valley Galton ON YOUR BIKE Where to go cycling & walking around the Sandwell area The routes described form part of the Birmingham and Black Country Cycle Routes. Numerous points of interest can be found W along their varying landscapes. AL S A462 A4098 AL L J8 C Hill Farm Bridge A A41 N A461 A Tame Bridge Parkway L J7 Wednesbury J8 M6 Wednesbury Art Walsall Road RUSHALL Gallery and Museum JUNCTION NCN 5 A4037 Rushall Junction to Ryders Green Locks Ray Hall Lane Jones Bridge NCN 81 J8 Ocker Hill A4041 A4123 A4196 TA ME A34 VAL ( RSPB Reserve LE T Y C ) ANA Tipton L FACTORY LOCKS Great Bridge Brickhouse Lane Bridge RIDGEACRE Forge Mill Farm BRANCH BOTTOM LOCK A4031 West Bromwich Malthouse Stables Neptune Health Centre Dudley Port Acitivity Centre RYDERS GREEN LOCKS DUDLEY Park Lane East The Public NO.2 CANAL TOP LOCK Key Neptune Health Park Walk Sheepwash Nature Reserve West Bromwich NCN 5 Sandwell Park Farm NETHERTON NEW MAIN LI BRANCH Dudley Port Sandwell Valley L DELPH LOCKS Lock Cycling Route E NE N CA N NA U TIVIDALE L T GOWER Walking Route Y AQUEDUCT E BRANCH Canal L Pudding Green Junction D U A4133 OL NCN 81 National D D MA Tunnel IN Cycle Network Dudley Museum and Art Gallery L J1 IN E Sandwell BROMFORD Place of CA & Dudley JUNCTION A4182 Bus & Rail Station N A4040 A interest L Dudley L E Oldbury OL LI A4168 N D MAIN NE C N AN Access Point Metro Stop U A SUMMIT T BLAKELEY HALL BRIDGE L Dudley Port Circular N TUNNEL O Cycle routes A461 T Smethwick Galton bridge R Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre E Parking Cycle Repair Shop H Oldbury Telford Way T E If you are feeling particularly energetic, why not cycle N Galton Valley Walk Popes Bridge more than one route? The map highlights access points Brasshouse Lane and road accesses, but parking may be on road in places. Langley Green A4040 A4540 J2 Smethwick Rolfe St Windmill End N EW NCN 81 M DUDLEY PORT CIRCULAR A NCN 5 IN A4034 TITFORD POOL L Distance: 8.8 miles/14 km IN Stoney Lane E (approx) CA NA 7 L A4 Duration: 1 hour 15 min (approx) Cradley Road A459 BW Visitor Information Centre M6 Access point: A4030 Owen Street, Tipton, Sandwell Car Parking: Neptune Health Park, Sandwell Park Farm Merry Hill Tipton, access The New Main Line A459 A4040 via Neptune Walk instructions. The Mailbox RUSHALL JUNCTION Old Hill Bearwood National Sealife Centre Follow The Gower Branch, then TO RYDER GREEN LOCKS A4100 Cradley Heath turn right back onto The Old Main Distance: 7.5 miles/12 km (approx) Blackheath A38 Line. For a more challenging A4123 A441 Duration: 1 hour 15 min (approx) A456 route, continue along The New Access point: For a free copy of Sandwells cycle network map: A4040 Main Line and cross at Bromford Ray Hall Lane, Grove Vale. A38 Junction. Take the ramp access to Following Cycle Route 5, access Tel: 0121 569 4889 or email [email protected] A458 The Old Main Line and double back, and cross the Tame Valley Canal crossing Blakeley Hall Bridge. and continue, turning left at Sources of further information: Please note: Routes detailed in this leaflet are a guide, and consultation of additional maps is advisable before beginning your trip. Route duration’s are based on an average speed of 3mph walking and 7mph cycling.Remember you are responsible for your own safety and children must be accompanied Alternatively follow The New Main Ocker Hill. British Waterways Visitor Information Centre www.waterscape.com by an adult. Although towpaths are suitable for both cyclists and walkers, appropriate footwear is recommended for muddy areas. Cyclists are advised Line into Birmingham City Centre. This route features an unusual Birmingham Tel: 0121 236 4162 to take extra care on uneven or steep surfaces and locks.