SPOTLIGHT: Exploring the South Staffordshire Railway Walk with Vimal Korpal

South Staffordshire circular Railway Walk and Bratch locks have a walk around distance of around 5.5 miles.

If you fancy a gentle walk taking in a bit of countryside and the splendour of the canals, this is a pleasant circular walk.

Walking just on the rail route can be monotonous at times, with the straight path and the high banks obscuring the views; but crossing the rail route over to the locks gives you ducks, canal boats and good exercise.

Here’s a great route to follow when exploring South Staffs Railway:

The starting point: The Railway Cafe, WV5 9AD. There is free parking attached to the cafe but please check times for closing of the car park.

Market Lane bridge:Walk along the rail route for about 2 miles. Until you reach the Market Lane bridge, with the bubble pop style graffiti and street art painting of dogs. Soon, as you pass under the bridge, there are some wooden steps up the bank. Go up these and you are on Langley Road.

Langley Road: The pavements are not child-friendly and the road is very busy. Keep walking to Dimmingsdale Road Bridge and join the canal path. Dimmingsdale Garden Centre is a bit of a local landmark. Join the path across the road by the side of the bridge.

Canal walk: Continue walking approximately 2 miles along the Staffordshire and Worcester canal path until you reach Bratch Locks. Watch the canal boats using the locks.

Then turn left off here onto Bratch Lane.

Once you pass the bridge take a left into the car park.

You have completed your journey.

Alternatively, you can walk the straight route from Castlecroft to Wall Heath, which is 5.5 miles.

Distance: 5.5 miles. You can even go to the cafe to have something to eat. Note: It’s closed on Mondays.