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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 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 the steps off to the left leading waterscape.com 2. Take a right turn out of the can be rough or muddy to a wooded area. British Waterways Access point: centre and walk along, following The PUBLIC Visitor Information Centre Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick the brown sign for Smethwick 6. Follow this path as it doubles Cambrian House Car parking: Galton Valley New Pumping Station onto the back between The Old Main Line King Edwards Road Heritage Centre, Brasshouse Lane Birmingham B1 2AN towpath of The Old Main Line. and The New Main Line. Steps at the end of the path rejoin the Tel: 0121 236 4162 3. The pumping station, an Old Main Line. This leaflet is available example of Victorian engineering in alternative formats was originally opened in 1892 7. Turn right and retrace your upon request. 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 Galton Valley Heritage Centre Find your nearest canal at waterscape.com Walking and cycling is an ideal Telford, and the Engine Arm Sheepwash Nature Reserve YOUR LOCAL CANAL way to appreciate the diversity Aqueduct, built to carry the Neptune walk of Sandwell’s 14 historic canals Engine Arm Canal above The The Neptune is a circular 4 mile walk along the quiet and branches New Main Line 20 feet below. Telford, Titford New Main Line, and Old Main Line Canals. It also The waterside landscape is Just a few miles away, an makes an excellent cycle route, and finishes next and the Titanic filled with reminders of the abundance of wildlife flourishes . area’s important industrial past, in the tranquil waters of the to a pub. such as the magnificent Galton Titford Pool and the Ridgacre Bridge, constructed in 1829 by Branch bring a diversity of plant Thomas Location: Neptune Health Park, 2. Follow the towpath downhill, 4. When you reach Dudley Port and animal species right into the Tipton, Sandwell along the scenic Factory Lock. Junction, walk across both of the heart of the town. Start/Finish: Neptune Health Park Look out for the rope markings iron footbridges and proceed to This handy guide is a brief Distance: 4 miles/6.5km (approx) cut into Wood Street Bridge your left along the Netherton introduction to some of the Duration: 1 hour 20 mins (approx) and the split bridge at one of Branch. From the iron footbridge great walks and cycle routes just Type: Circular the locks, designed to let the you can see Sheepwash Nature waiting to be discovered in Conditions: Hard surfaced/ towing rope pass through and Reserve, which is accessible Sandwell. 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 Galton Valley 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, climb the steps onto the road, the bridge and face the canal. over several more bridges. turn left onto Beehive Walk and Turn right onto the towpath. Notice the railway line to your 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. canal routes. and return to the Neptune car park. 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. Dismount on narrow sections, at motorcycle barriers and under low bridges and tunnels, aqueduct; one of the few E [email protected] particularly in wet weather. Cyclists should obtain a free cycle permit and all visitors should observe the Waterway Code; for details please contact West Midlands Waterways on 01827 252000. examples of a canal crossing British Waterways, West Midlands Office Tel: 01827 252000 over a railway. This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office ©Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. British Waterways, 100019843, 2008..