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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD


Derek Harwood's Walking Records

If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com

              HEART OF ENGLAND WAY

    Creswell Green to Horse to Horse & Jockey Public House

Tuesday 5th June 2007 ..................................Walk No. 697
5th June 2007 - Heart of Endland Way No.3 - Lichfield - Shaffordshire - Map Courtesy www.streetmap.co.uk

HEART OF ENGLAND WAY  No. 3            Total 17.5 miles


Time Taken:  3.25 hrs      Distance:      Enjoyment:     Weather: Warm & Sunny
 12:50 pm - 3:30 pm          5.5 miles             90%                   Little Breeze

Temp:    Cloud:      Rain:     Visibility:   Ground Conditions: Wild Life: Poppies
 21oC       25%         None     Very Good         Excellent         Rabbits, Squirrels

Total AA:      Total MH:    Total LD:       Total AW:     Other:      Total Distance:
 1027.5 mls    931.5 mls     1841 mls        162 mls      1099 mls       5061 miles

Companions:  (Derek)   

Points of Interest and LINKS:
Heart of England Way                        Pipe Hall Farm                           Pipe Green
Lichfield                                            Lichfield Walk                         Visit Lichfield
Lichfield Information                          Lichfield Railway                     Lichfield Canal
Lichfield Cathedral                     Lichfield Cathedral Photos            Horse & Jockey
Description:
Parked car in empty car park of Horse & Jockey Public House on Tamworth Road at noon (with permission) and started to cycle to Cresswell Green Village. Crossed over the bridge of the A38 Truck Road and soon spotted a canal lock gate next to the road, but no water to be seen. Parked my bike to investigate, soon realising that this was a restoration project to restore the canal to its former glory. Without water it is surprising to see how shallow the canals are in reality. Continued cycling through the town, past the shopping precincts and the Cathedral to the A51 main road. Crossed the road with care and noticed a gathering of youths in white sun hats, all kitted out for a day's walking. Progressed along the narrow Abnalls Lane of Cycle Route 54, past the rock outcrops and Pipe Hall entrance, to a gated road through Spade Green. Turned right from the gated road up Hobstone Hill Lane to the junction of Little Pipe Lane, passing a colony of squirrels. One youngster didn't realise I was passing close and continued rummaging around in the roadside. I stopped for a close observation and a rest. After Little Pipe Lane junction and the top of Hobstone Hill, it was a free-wheel ride into Cresswell Green Village. Locked bike against a large post in 'The Nelson' Pub Car Park at 12:50 pm and started walking back into Lichfield. Soon crossed plank over Bilson Brook and reached a dead end alongside the brook. I took the right fork soon after the plank instead of the left fork into the adjacent field. The field was occupied by horses, but surprisingly full of buttercups. The next field beside the brook was normal grass without the buttercups, but this field had a portable toilet. No obvious works taking place in the area. Just a new clean Portaloo in the middle of the field. I thought about using the facility but expected 'Candid Camera' to be around. You shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. Why not? Entered Ford Lane by the Chorley Village Sign and turned right past Brook Cottages up hill to Keeper's Lodge. Over the footpath stile, at the sharp corner of Dark Lane, alongside Keeper's Cottage, between the hedges and into a grand view of the local countryside. Passed the first group of youths in white hats while crossing Ashmore Brook near Pipe Coppice. Shortly after I met the second group who asked about the progress of the first group. They were heading for Castle Ring. I hadn't the nerve to explain that Castle Ring was the highest point of Cannock Chase. As I was passing the rock outcrops on Abnall Lane I passed the third group of youths. This time four girls. I explained that the boys where miles in front. They didn't hurry, obviously no film star potential in any of the boys. Just after the dyslexic school I turned off the lane into Pipe Green fields. To my surprise I passed the forth group of the youthes. They were obviously trying to catch up with the girls. It was the best time of the year for poppies. Most of the fields had a few wild poppies sprinkled around the hedgerows, especially near Pipe Coppice and on Pipe Green. Crossed the A51 with care to Lichfield Golf Course and Beacon Park. Walked up Shaw Lane to Beacon Street, passing the traditional public house 'The George and Dragon', the 'Probate Court' and 'Free Library' to The Close which surrounds the magnificent Lichfield Cathedral. I was so impressed with the detail on the stonework that I took far too many photos. Horray for the digital camera. A quick visit to the Cathedral before I continued through the City Centre Precincts to the suburbs and well kept residential areas. Navigated the passageways to the Tamworth Road and the Horse & Jockey Pub using the 'Heart of England Way' markers in the pavements. A very clever idea to reduce the impact of the signs in built-up areas. Drove back to Cresswell Green to collect my bicycle. Another excellent day's walking in the warm sunshine.

Location:
Hazards:
Take care with the traffic along Abnalls Lane and crossing the main roads. Allow more time to visit the Cathedral, the Market Place and the Museums. I hope to return one day. Study the map carefully and follow the pavement 'Way' signs through the residential area of South Lichfield.


Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Start of Walk at The Nelson Public House in Cresswell Green Village
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Horses in Field of Buttercups after Cresswell Green Village
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Stile after Keepers Cottage near Robin Wood
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Wild Poppies near Pipe Coppice
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Youth Walking Group near Pipe Coppice
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Rock Outcrop on Abnall Lane Near Abnall Hamlet
'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Lichfield from Pipe Green
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Juvenile Blackbird by Lichfield Golf Course
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Way Sign by Beacon Park
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Statue Outside Lichfield Library
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Lichfield Cathedral & The Close
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Lichfield Cathedral West Front
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Lichfield Cathedral Nave
5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Lichfield Cathedral West Front Statues 5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Dam Street & Lichfield Cathedral 5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - James Boswell Statue in Lichfield City Centre 5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Way Walk Sign in Housing Estate 5th June 2007 - Heart of England Way - Horse & Jockey Public House

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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2007
Devised: June 2007