Objective: Cycle from Oldbury north along the Birmingham Mainline, taking in the Gower Branch, down Wolverhampton Locks, then along the Staff & Worcester Canal to Penkridge, returning by train to Sandwell & Dudley Station.
Trip Type: solo cycle
Distance: 24 miles
Time to complete: 3.75 hrs, 6.5 mph
Nicholson Guide: Guide 2 pp 50, 51, 58, 59, Guide 4, pp 123-126
Costs: free parking in Oldbury. Train from Penkridge to Sandwell & Dudley £7.80, 2 per hour.
Difficulty: fair
Adjacent Rides: Wolverhampton to Stourbridge, Wolverhampton to Nantwich, Fazeley Junction to Gas Street Basin, Wyrley & Essington and Wednesbury Oak Loop, Farmers Locks to Dudley
Overview
A pleasant and not too taxing ride starting by ticking off a couple of short stretches not covered on other rides, then taking in the fabulous Wolverhampton Locks (probably not for the first time, nor the last), ending with a rural stretch along the Staffs & Worcester to Penkridge, a market town with plenty of pubs and cafés. The first section to Autherley Junction is metalled all the way, albeit with a lot of radar gates to navigate. The second section to Penkridge is earth and/or grass, bumpy but rideable.
1. Oldbury to Autherley Junction
Park your car on Mc Kean Road (yes, it’s spelt as 2 words), Oldbury, B69 4AQ, or on a nearby street. Cycle downhill on the A4034 to the canal (passing Sandwell & Dudley station on your way). Before you cross the bridge, turn right down the slope to the towpath, then double back left under the bridge to head north, with the Birmingham Mainline canal to your right. At Pudding Green Junction the Walsall Canal bears off to the right.
About half a mile along the Gower Branch heads off to your left. Cycle up this, then return to the Mainline. Note: When I did this ride (April 2023) a new footpath was being installed along the Gower Branch – hopefully completed by the time you do it.
After a further half mile the Netherton Branch joins the Mainline. Turn left along this as far as Groveland Bridge, where Tipton Road crosses the canal, then turn back to the Mainline. [This joins up with the Farmers Locks to Dudley ride, during which you cross the road bridge to access the path through Netherton Tunnel.]
Continue along the Birmingham Mainline to Factory Junction, where the Birmingham and Wolverhampton Levels meet again. Go straight on at the junction.
Next is the 300m Coseley Tunnel. There is a railed path through tunnel, which has straight sides, but it is cobbled and uneven so take care. There are no drips or potholes that I found.
At Horseley Fields Junction, close to the centre of Wolverhampton, bear left over the bridge track, pass the station to your right, and start to descend the 21 Wolverhampton Locks. At Fox’s Lane Bridge it is easier to go over rather than down the twisty stone path underneath. Once past the incineration plant there is a more rural feel down to Aldersley Junction.
Turn right at the junction and cross the footbridge. Turn right onto the Staffs & Worcester Canal. Continue the short distance to Autherley Junction.
2. Autherley Junction to Penkridge
At the junction cross over the footbridge by the stop lock forming the start of the Shropshire Union Canal, and continue on the Staffs & Worcester. After Fordhouses Park the towpath soon changes to earth, and it gradually worsens all the way to the Hatherton Branch marina, where it is just bumpy grass. Then it gradually improves again heading towards Penkridge. Continue to Bridge 86, Cannock Road, and cross at Penkridge Lock 9 to exit onto the road. Turn left across the bridge, with the Boat Inn (open all day) to your right.
Continue up Cannock Road into Penkridge town centre. bear right on Market Street (one way, in your favour), then bear left into the square at Crown Bridge. Left onto Stone Cross then quickly right onto St. Michael’s Square by The Littleton Arms and left onto Station Road. Follow this round, and up the ramp to the platform. Trains to Wolverhampton go from the side you arrive.
Trains are 2 per hour, change at Wolverhampton for Sandwell & Dudley. No reservation required. Leaving the station, turn left on the A4034, and left again into Century Road back to your car.