Plan your visit
Getting here
52.62241, -1.97763
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
- 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
- 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
- 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
- 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required
Good to know
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
Best for
Wildlife
Very strong match
Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles
Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Coot, Magpie, Woodpigeon +76 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Coot, Magpie, Woodpigeon +76 more · last seen 2026
Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Meadow Brown, Green Shieldbug, 7-spot Ladybird +114 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Meadow Brown, Green Shieldbug, 7-spot Ladybird +114 more · last seen 2025
Dog walks
Strong match
Dogs allowed with public access
Seasonal nature
Strong match
Plants — Hazel, Common Toadflax, Hornbeam +16 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Hazel, Common Toadflax, Hornbeam +16 more · last seen 2026
Foraging
Good match
Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — Hazel, Red Dead-nettle, Hawthorn +1 more foraging species
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km🚶Walking
8 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Walking
Monarch's WayWalking route990 km
approximate route of Charles II's escape
Four Commons WalkWalking route9.5 km
Circular route following the Wyrley & Essington Canal to Clayhanger Common – one of Walsall’s much-loved areas of green, open space. Distance: 6 miles/9.5 km(approx) Duration: 120 mins(approx)
Clayhanger Common WalkWalking route9.5 km
Short, circular route following the Wyrley & Essington Canal to Clayhanger Common – one of Walsall’s much-loved areas of green, open space. Distance: 6 miles/9.5 km(approx) Duration: 120 mins(approx)
Beacon WayWalking route40 km
Starting at Sandwell Valley via the outskirts of Birmingham and the countryside of Walsall into Staffordshire. Take in the Forest of Mercia, lakes, nature reserves, woods, and canal banks. Named after Barr Beacon, one of the highest hills in this area.
Forest of Mercia Timberland Trail (Short Route)Walking route12.9 km
8-mile circular route based on PRoW and canal towpaths, which would've been used by local miners, iron workers, and farmers. Car Parking at the start on Wood Lane.
🚴Cycling
83 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Cycling
McClean WayCycling route
[PROPOSED]Starley Regional Cycle NetworkCycling route804 km
Starley (TfWM) Regional Cycle Network (Proposed route)
Sneyd Junction to Cannock Extension CanalCycling route8.8 km
A semi-rural route following the curves of the canal, until it opens out into parkland at the Cannock Extension. Distance: 5.5 miles/8.8 km (approx) Duration: 45 min (approx)
Cannock Extension Canal to Longwood JunctionCycling route11.2 km
Canalside route leading past Clayhanger Common and through Rushall, with a pub along the way. Distance: 7 miles/11.2 km (approx) Duration: 60 min (approx)
Walsall Local Cycle NetworkCycling route
Walsall Local Cycle Network
Sneyd Junction to Horseley Fields JunctionCycling route9.6 km
Canalside route following the Wyrley & Essington, taking New Cross Bridge, where the towpath changes to the other side of the canal. Distance: 6 miles/9.6 km (approx) Duration: 60 min (approx)
Wildlife to spot
Photos
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Nearby places
Useful places within 5 km
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