Winterbourne House & Gardens

An Edwardian family property in Edgbaston that has become part of the University of Birmingham's wider estate, Winterbourne House and Gardens provide the perfect place to meet up with Bookworm Bygrave over the Bank Holiday weekend...

- Winterbourne House -

It's Saturday 23rd May 2026, the sun is shining, there's barely a cloud in the sky and we have history with horticulture afoot on Edgbaston Park Road. Winterbourne House was built in 1904 for John Nettlefold - part of the family who put the 'N' into GKN - who lived here along with his wife Margaret and several children. The property has many Arts and Crafts features as befits its period of construction, including notable examples of William Morris wallpaper.

- Wisteria -

After a period under the ownership of Harry Wheelock, Winterbourne was bequeathed to the University of Birmingham in 1944 and was initially used to provide accommodation for female students. It would then see use as a base for Birmingham Business School prior to gaining museum accreditation in 2017, since when it has become a heritage attraction open to all (admission charges apply). The spectacular planting alone is worth the entrance fee, with Emily especially drawn towards a glorious pergola draped in dangling wisteria.

- Lupins near the Walled Garden -

The Walled Garden can be found close to the house, providing an oasis of scent and colour where tall lupins mingle with trailing roses and lush foliage, making the most of the sunshine. We have a peek inside an outhouse containing the Winterbourne Press, seeing how historic printing press equipment has been salvaged and preserved. The Old Kitchen is also close at hand, showcasing scullery scrubbing brushes and a large set of shiny copper frying pans.

- The Vegetable Patch -

The gardens would historically have been used to grow fresh produce for the Nettlefold family to eat hence it is fitting that the current operation includes scope for vegetable propagation. We marvel at the sight of cabbages, lettuces and tomatoes although a seasonal approach is taken in order to cultivate food through into the autumn. For some years Winterbourne served as the University's Botanical Gardens and this legacy can still be seen today in the form of the Geographical Beds comprising species from Asia, South America and Australasia.

- Teddy Time -

Having had a gander around the gardens, Emily and I pause for a hot chocolate break (yes, there was cake - a cherry and white chocolate blondie in fact) then investigate more of the house. John Nettlefold's study has an extensive library - Miss Bygrave naturally approves - while the children's nursery room has a cute assembly of teddy bears. We learn more about the history of GKN as a firm, and of Mr Nettlefold's involvement in Birmingham town planning.

- Edgbaston Pool -

There's now scope to explore the extensive wider grounds, passing through the Nut Walk arch of hazelnut trees and spotting an appealing Lych Gate shelter. Although not directly part of the property's curtilage, a woodland path allows us views across Edgbaston Pool which serves as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Much of the surrounding land is privately owned by the Edgbaston Golf Club so we can only walk a short distance along the pool perimeter.

- Bookworm Bygrave at Rhododendron Walk -

Back within the bounds of Winterbourne, we burrow between pretty rhododendron bushes to reach the Japanese Bridge and a rock garden. Stepping stones take you across the stream and some of the leaves are absolutely humongous! A bench by the Tall Stones - a sculptural piece formed of a trio of shards - allows us to relax and enjoy the lawn tranquility. There are quite a few art pieces dotted around actually, with a carved specimen called 'A Fine Balance' proving a fan favourite which celebrates the importance of bees.

- Something Succulent? -

We've almost finished our tour but haven't yet glanced among the glasshouses. These are themed according to their contents so we have orchids, alpines, succulents - with some very prickly looking cacti - and even a section for carnivorous plants where we manage to avoid being eaten. We must allow time for the Bookworm to do what she does best, namely peruse the shelves of the second hand bookshop. Emily is in her element!

- Bravo for Bavo -

The bookish angle doesn't end there, for there's more retail therapy on the cards when we continue into Kings Heath. The Book Tower on Poplar Road is not a shop either of us knew about - I sense it could become a regular haunt though - then the Oxfam store on Kings Heath High Street comes up trumps for promising paperback finds and even a Paulish local history purchase. The afternoon concludes with a couple of drinks in the vicinity of York Road where the Juke and Schooners effectively face each other across cosmopolitan al fresco beer tables. Bavo Lager is very refreshing in the former, listening to jukebox tunes amidst a cooling pink interior, before God's Twisted Sister Stout goes down nicely at Schooners, admiring a map pinpointing the locations of craft breweries across the West Midlands. Cheers!

Darlaston Clubbing with Mr D9

After an enforced gap in April because of family commitments, Chairman D9 declares himself in need of a Hub Marketing session. Donning our thinking caps, we settle on a Darlaston Doorstep arrangement which should account for a couple of interesting club-type venues. Here comes the tale of the trip...

- The Fiery Grill -

Trip Log: Tuesday 19th May 2026 and our starting point is a very familiar one. Admittedly the Fiery Grill (previously the Fiery Holes prior to its Desi-style makeover) usually serves us as a nightcap location, but its proximity to Bradley Lane Metro stop makes it the ideal place for the Secretary to await Mr D9's arrival. A bar side perch amidst hexagonal patterned fabrics works well enough when armed with £4 pints of Carling, and the pub seems to be doing a brisk trade in curry orders whilst still having a steady supply of early evening regulars. The Chairman's appearance brings news of driver wakes and missed buffets with the bald one lamenting not being able to attend a celebration of life at Smethwick Labour Club.

- Studious Steering on the 79 -

Venturing deeper into the housing estates of Moxley, Charnwood Close and Queen Street combine so that we can intercept the 79 on the A41. We're not on board very long, the bus serving as a helping hand to get us into Darlaston where we will alight opposite the Asda, but there is time enough to showcase a certain someone's famed steering technique. Memories of the Stowlawn Gobbler and D9's bus-hopping youth come flooding back before attentions turn once again to matters of beer. We mustn't dilly dally as there's a lot to squeeze in and the Chairman is insistent that dead mileage is not an option - to the next haunt we must go...

- Cheerful in the Con Club -

The said second port of call is the Con Club on Little Cross Street, a venue we chickened out of sampling last October so there's added determination to include it tonight. Two large rooms give a choice of plush bar or an entertainment lounge with us picking the latter, obtaining more Carling in the process. Whenever we do anything with a Tory bias there's always a worry that one or other of us will burst into flames through political disgruntlement but there's no risk of spontaneous combustion here; in fact, you wouldn't really know it was a Conservative Club at all these days and any mention of Mrs Thatcher is thankfully kept to a minimum. Groceries and toys are piled high on the stage, perhaps through some kind of food bank operation unless an extremely well-stocked raffle is imminent. 

- The Green House Effect? -

Picking our way over wobbly Con Club car park steps past colourfully-painted planters made out of old tyres, we shuffle across to Blockall where some conveniently positioned temporary traffic lights delay the number 37 bus enough for us to reach the stop. Another short ride soon has us bearing down upon Willenhall Road, eyeing up the former Garringtons offices which now function as a sauna suite. We're not keen on the idea of disrobing in a steamy room with lots of strangers although the building's frontage does distract the bald spot momentarily. We would however like to try Garro's Pool Hall next door but it isn't open yet, despite a growing throng of potential punters congregating outside wanting to put their cues to good use.

- Beard Close Indignation -

The amount of derelict factories in the vicinity is an unmistakable sign of Darlaston's industrial decline, and with the prospect that Garro's might still be gettable later, we head to the Robin Hood on The Crescent to fill the gap. This Black Country Ales establishment is very dangerous as far as the Chairman is concerned - he has been known to have extended sessions here in the company of old scheduling colleagues - so the Secretary has to be very strict about this being a one pint only visit. BFG and Mallinsons Columbus are the tipples in question and the quality of both the beer and the pub as a whole really shines through. Returning to Darlaston, we declare our silly songs - a brace of Joan Sims novelties, 'Oh Not Again Ken' and 'Hurry Up Gran' - then pose for photocalls at both the Bargain Hub and Beard Close, with the latter seemingly eliciting a certain degree of D9 mock grumpiness.

- Grappling with Garro's -

There's still no joy at Garro's, although we are told that the staff are on their way, so a further contingency call is required. We first sampled the Nags Head at Darlaston Green on a Myvod Moments trip in April 2015 and it doesn't appear to have altered much - a down-to-earth vibe punctuated by shelves full of sporting trophies, plus window art promoting their satellite sport subscriptions. One swift Carling there precedes it being third time lucky back at Garro's which has now belatedly opened. It has a basic set-up very much focused around a multitude of pool tables and the lager here is very frothy, meaning Mr D9 gets given some extra dregs free of charge. A friendly place with a huge dog bouncing around for added fun factor, we're very glad we put the effort in trying to include it. With that, time is fast running out but an obliging 79 connection means we can make it a Fiery Grill double before the curtain falls. Cheers!

Twenty Years On...

May 17th 2006 marked my very first post on the West Midlands Exploration blog, and here I am twenty years later still waffling away with my observations on life and the universe (but mainly pubs, beer and cricket). This notable anniversary seems like as good a point as any at which to pause and reflect on why I've stuck with it so long, although the fact I enjoy putting together my bits and pieces of writing remains as central to things now as it was at the start...

That first ever entry was a simple one:

Welcome to the West Midlands Exploration blogspot. This is where I shall post any ideas, news, comments and other trivial nonsense that I can think of with regard to the West Midlands Exploration galleries at http://wme.fotopic.net - or at least thats the plan.

Hopefully this will turn into a useful running commentary on gallery updates and recent outings, as well as providing me with another place to reflect upon the many outings I have already done. So, part diary, part personal planner, part memory bank, part discussion board. Enjoy the blog!

Paul

The focus then - as indeed it still is now but to a lesser extent - was on building my archive of local photographs and having a place to discuss my plans. Those original Fotopic galleries have long gone but I've been settled on Flickr since 2011 and continue to issue photostream updates there on a regular basis, hence my monthly 'Flickr Focus' summaries of new arrivals. I'll never be the best photographer in the world and some of my interests are niche to put it mildly (a certain street sign obsession being a case in point), but having my camera with me simply gives me a great excuse to be out and about getting to know places. It's a wonderful hobby, and it's true to say that the 8,000+ images I currently have published on Flickr are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the amount of pictures I've actually taken down the years!

Back in the beginning, one fundamental thing was clear - that the blog was essentially for me as an outlet for my thoughts, a personal indulgence if you will. I didn't really care then whether anybody else reads it - and still don't - although of course it is nice to receive the occasional comment when one of my posts strikes a chord with someone else. Through endurance or longevity (perhaps sheer persistence), I've amassed a record of a region undergoing change from the point of view of one observer. More importantly though, the blog charts my various friendships and has come to capture so many lovely memories made with people who mean a lot to me. The cast of characters will change over time but special thanks go to Mr D9, Nick, Stephen, Mr B Senior, Rog, Woody, Jane, Emily and my family for all your support.

Back in May 2006, Tony Blair was the Prime Minister, Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne and 'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley was top of the charts. Now we have Keir Starmer, King Charles III (otherwise known as Nick), and whichever pop darling is the current flavour of the month. Aside from photography, I still retain my initial fascination in public transport - as my recent outings sampling new West Midlands railway stations prove - and canals, while pubs and cask ales are another recurring thread. I've lost count of the amount of personal favourite hostelries I've declared now but it's a list that seemingly keeps growing despite a litany of sad closures. The West Midlands as a region remains close to my heart with a special affection reserved for the Black Country, although technically I now live in South Staffordshire. 

So what of the future? I plan to keep on exploring, taking my pictures and compiling my trip reports much as I do now. Whether I'll always write at least five new posts per month remains to be seen, likewise whether I'll run out of material for the Lost Pubs series - I haven't yet! There are still so many places I'd like to see, people to meet and Warwickshire matches to attend, plus lovely ales to drink. Maybe I'll still be hacking away at my keyboard in another twenty years, reflecting on lord knows what! As long as I stay healthy and keep having fun, anything seems possible so thanks for reading and onwards we go to the next adventure...

The Snoopy Trail at Trentham Gardens

The Trentham Estate is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the Stoke-on-Trent city area, providing people from the Potteries and further afield with hundreds of acres of beautiful parkland, not to mention a Shopping Village, Monkey Forest and ancient woodland. The crowning glory has to be Trentham Gardens, an Italianate landscaped complex designed by the legendary Capability Brown, and it is these which have been playing host to a dozen Snoopy sculptures over the last month or so...

- Classic Snoopy -

It's Sunday 3rd May as Bookworm Bygrave and I descend upon Trentham from our Leek base for the Bank Holiday weekend. The gardens are nationally renowned and occupy the grounds of what used to be Trentham Hall; much of the big house was demolished in the 1910s due to unsustainable maintenance costs but some buildings remain in situ as romanic ruins, namely the Grand Entrance and Orangery. Cumulatively, the vast site covers hundreds upon hundreds of acres and has a large ornamental lake as accompanied by the River Trent. We navigate the shoppers car park, pay our admission fees (£15 for adults during the summer season), pick up our Trentham Trail Explorer Pack and immediately meet our first target, 'Classic Snoopy' seeing everyone's beloved beagle relaxing atop his kennel.

- Golden Hound -

It’s fair to say we’re both extremely excited about this. Regular readers will know I love any Wild in Art public art events anyway but Emily is a confirmed admirer of all things Peanuts as my Instagram algorithm can well testify! Taking place from 27th March to 4th May (hence this being the penultimate day), the trail is formed of 12 doghouse-shaped sculptures each with a reclining Snoopy on the roof. Our second specimen is 'Golden Hound' with its gilded shimmer and illustrations that resemble a catalogue of pressed flowers. It is delightfully positioned close to a special border planted in partnership with David Austin Roses, showcasing the beauty of English roses as part of a 2024 collaboration.

- The Candy Prince -

As if the Peanuts proliferation isn't fun enough, Trentham have their own Spring Bulb Festival on the go which means an additional array of characters are dotted about. Seemingly taking inspiration from the successful Traitors television series, the idea is that 'Tulip Claudia' sets you off on a task to discover an imposter flower which doesn't grow from a bulb at all. It's an imaginative way of getting youngsters to think about and enjoy horticulture, hence we soon spot the Candy Prince (wielding his spiral lollipop), Jetfire (with a daffodil lapel) and Flora (nominated as the head gardener) amongst other painted wooden placards. Dandelion presents a certain roguish look, his seeds ready to blow away on the breeze.

- Tales for Tails -

Back with the beagles and each Snoopy staging post has its own stamp which you can use to perforate your guide booklet; admittedly some of these work better than others but it's nice to punch your passport as you progress. 'Tales for Tails' is an early contender to be our favourite of all the sculptures because of its play on words. The kennel lid resembles two literary book covers - one for A Tail of Two Lovers by William Shakespaw, the other for Romeo & Drooliet - while the base boasts bookshelves stocked with Lord of the Fleas and Around the Garden in 80 Seconds. Putting a canine spin on fiction-themed puns makes this a winner in Bygrave eyes and it's very hard for me to disagree...

- Fungi's House -

Emily however is a nature lover too and therefore declares herself impressed by 'Fungi's House' with its striking red-and-white-spotted toadstool cap roof plus blue tit depictions. Avian representation is extended further by 'Snoopy's Songbird Chorus' for fans of robins, pigeons and turtle doves, all framed within a snowtopped setting to emphasise how resilient birds are during the winter months. I hadn't realised that the Peanuts cartoon strips first debuted back in 1950 when Charles M. Schulz introduced the likes of Charlie Brown to newspaper audiences; 75+ years later his creations continue to be enjoyed with worldwide affection.

- I Need More Space -

Gravitating gently towards the tearooms and an adventure play area, we next note 'Plant Dreams, Harvest Joy' in a secluded sensory space. This sculpture's design is reminiscent of greenhouse windows with crisscross panes and hints of fruit, strawberries and tomatoes to be precise. Nearby, 'I Need More Space' takes a reflective cosmic approach with ringed planets and starry constellations, then 'Garden of Delights' beckons across towards the Food Festival marquees. Cathy Simpson has decorated this one with peaches, a crowing cockerel and buzzing wasps for another fruity, nature-tinged example.

- Woodstock Waits -

And the treats keep on coming! We take a break from the sculptural stuff by bravely entering Trentham's resident 'Hide and Speak' maze, fashioned from tall hedges with several deceptive dead ends. Seven Peanuts personalities are lurking inside although finding them all proves quite the challenge because it's easy to become disorientated among the walls of leafage. Lucy and Peppermint Pattie encouragingly have us on the right track to start with before Charlie Brown declares his noted presence, each character shown in an orange spacesuit. The maze's central mound has Woodstock at one end of the coiled path and Snoopy at the other, astronaut helmets affixed in both cases. After this point it feels like we're going round in circles seeing the same ones repeatedly but Franklin and Sally are located eventually. 

- Dreaming of the Mountains -

With some relief, we make it out of the maze without getting totally lost and reward ourselves with double scoop ice cream, combining flavours of honeycomb, chocolate brownie and vanilla clotted cream. There are four sculptures left to find and the next two are close to the lake's north-eastern shores: 'Dreaming of the Mountains' conjures up a sense of all things Alpine thanks to a crisp wintry sky, pine trees and ice-capped peaks, whereas 'Home Sweet Home' evokes thoughts of Hansel and Gretel, gingerbread residences and candy canes aplenty.

- Grrrrrrnarly Beach Hut -

We're almost done and the final two finds require us to head back towards the main entrance and then follow the River Trent along the lake's southern edge. 'Grrrrrnarly Beach Hut' speaks of the seaside with kite-flying and deckchair stripes, then last of the twelve comes 'Riverbank' with its nod to swans, herons and other watery wildlife - very effective, as indeed are some adjacent treetrunk carvings featuring otters, beavers and fish shoals. We've loved doing the trail and indulging our liking for a little black and white dog, an excellent way of spending a steady Sunday in Staffordshire. Cheers!

Station Surveillance with the Chip Foundation

Episode 95 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles is a momentous day without question. Not only are we marking Ken's recent 76th birthday, we're also celebrating the much-trumpeted reopening of the Camp Hill Line set of railway stations over in Birmingham...

- Camp Hill Line, here we come! -

Trip Log: Monday 27th April 2026 and the remit is simple. Start at Birmingham New Street and cover each station in turn, picking out a pub (ideally one of the closest) at every stop along the way. Ken, Stephen and I convene at Wolverhampton over thoughts of Trent Bridge cricketing prospects - the consensus being that the match between Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire is highly likely to be a draw - before joining Nick on Platform 11a in Brum. Our steed arrives on time for its 10:57 departure, one of the orange and purple liveried Class 196 DMU units, and we board with something approaching genuine excitement. Passenger services ended on the original version of the Camp Hill Line due to wartime economic measures in 1941 so when the timetable was reinstated on Tuesday 7th April it ended a gap of nigh on 85 years.

- Moseley Village -

Upon leaving Birmingham, the train offers views of Millennum Point and then sweeps in an arc over Garrison Street to enter a cutting immediately beside the St Andrews football ground (a place Ken knows very well). The rooftops of Balsall Heath provide a new perspective on this part of town, and after a journey that took us all of nine minutes we pull into Moseley Village just as a systems guy checks the fire alarm for appropriate evacuation messages. Thankfully we're not expected to make an urgent exit and can merrily peruse the two platforms as they stretch towards Woodbridge Road. The original tunnel is pleasing on the eye and there's an extensive forecourt area with huge pots and a paved seating space, although vehicular provision amounts to a drop-off zone with little scope for car parking.

- St Mary's Church -

The station is ideally located close to the heart of Moseley hence a very short walk is all that's required to take us along St Mary's Row past the parish church. Pretty tulips add colour to the triangular patch on the junction with Alcester Road, and our attempts to explore Moseley Park are foiled because we don't have a subscribers fob to hand; admittedly the park is open to all on Wednesdays so I've made a mental note of that for future reference. Pub number one has a special resonance for Ken because he used to play chess here regularly in the 1980s - yes, it's the Fighting Cocks bang on midday opening time. Dating from the Edwardian era (1903 or thereabouts), this is a spectacular example of the Arts and Crafts style whereby I particularly like the weather barometers and a double faced clock. We funnel inside for more architectural marvelling, obtaining halves of Moseley Pale by Birmingham Brewing to slake our collective thirst. The prices are on the steep side and things are quiet - it is a Monday after all - but as a homage to Mr May's pastimes this is a very good fit.

- Kings Heath Station -

Ordinarily we might have hopped on a passing number 50 bus down to Kings Heath but the train needs to take the strain today. The 13:08 working does the trick for the briefest of rides; literally no sooner have we sat down and passed through Moseley Tunnel than we're up again preparing to alight. The new Kings Heath Station has been built on the site of the old one, i.e. at the northern end of the High Street, with orientation arrows pointing out potential for direct access into neighbouring Highbury Park. There are two full length platforms able to handle the four carriage set-up currently used on the line, and although footfall has been slack today it's good to know that capacity is in place should the half-hourly service really take off. The A435 can get really busy around here so there are warnings that the main road should not be used as a dropping off point; any intending passengers should note there isn't a car park.

- Stephen at The Station -

If the Fighting Cocks was an easy decision for choice of watering hole in Moseley, the same can be said of the Station in Kings Heath - the clue is in the name really. We'd done this one before (back in 2012 and also on one of our Cricketing Conclusion September sessions) but a revisit is more than worthwhile, calling in for Timothy Taylor's Landlord in a setting that makes much of its longstanding commitment to the local music scene. Monochrome photographs of musicians adorn the walls and our eyes can also try to cope with vivid green leaf patterned wallpaper, not to mention a cow's head on a shield. Mr B is keeping us up to date with the latest developments at Trent Bridge where Warwickshire have yet to take a wicket.

- Pineapple Road -

The third Camp Hill Line station is now in our sights, this being the exotic-sounding Pineapple Road although it's debatable how tropical the border between Kings Heath and Stirchley might be. Another blink-and-you-miss-it two minute voyage brings us to a stop that might hopefully grow to look nicer over time. At the moment, one side of the tracks presents bare earth where fledgling trees are being planted while the Brum-bound platform has bands of brown blocks which certainly aren't the most visually appealing construction material in the world. Whereas Moseley and Kings Heath are both directly competing with very frequent bus routes, this one arguably has more of a residential catchment to tap into. The two stairwell-cum-lift shafts give feature entrances onto Cartland Road then there is a hairpin driveway off Pineapple Rd itself.

- His Majesty at The Hazelwell -

My pub picks have been praised thus far but things could come unstuck at this juncture. The closest boozer give or take is the Hazelwell, a Sizzling roadhouse just off the Outer Circle bus route which does have a hint of Brewers Tudor about its frontage but is otherwise an ordinary pub. We give it a whirl regardless, catching some of the epic Higgins vs O'Sullivan clash of the snooker titans from the Crucible. They might not serve real ale here but what they do have are cheap Monday deals - cue John Smiths and Thatchers Cider at reduced rates, and suddenly my accomplices are rather taking to the place. So much so in fact that we decide to stay for a late lunch, meaning Ken and Nick feel all fishy whereas Stephen and I go for the gammon, resulting in the actual witnessing of pineapple being consumed on Pineapple Road. These things must happen for a reason and we finish feeding in time to scamper for the 15:42 train.

- End of the Line: Kings Norton -

Historically speaking, Pineapple Road station used to be known as Hazelwell and a rusting relic of an old footbridge (now overgrown with weeds) is a clinging remnant of former times. Remarkably, the ride to Kings Norton - where the line terminates - is one of the longest of the day, using up precisely three minutes or 180 seconds of our valuable time. I've been travelling the West Midlands railway network for the best part of thirty years and for much of that period it's been the same old stops with the same old sights so to actually have something new to explore has turned me into the proverbial kid in a sweetshop - it's been wonderful. I wish the Camp Hill Line every success: welcome back to the fold!

- A Cotteridge Conclusion -

A pub per station is still the instruction so Kings Norton's contribution will be the Navigation, a once-tired looking number which has gained a new lease of life courtesy of Wetherspoons. A sprawling interior has well over 200 tables so they can squeeze in a lot of people, just as well given how busy it is; we end up perched close to the food servery meaning Stephen has to stoically witness chips being paraded across the room at regular intervals. A sunkissed stroll along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal allows a welcome sighting of Kings Norton Junction before we land up in the Grant Arms on Pershore Road, a classic Cotteridge roadhouse which is part of the Craft Union chain. Keenly priced John Smiths and cricketing chat helps us blend in with the swarms of regulars, such a contrast from the quietness of the Fighting Cocks. The number 45 bus spirits us back into Birmingham and our Camp Hill celebration is complete!

WME Flickr Focus - April 2026

What do Stanley Matthews, Funnybones, Ma Pardoe's and ominous man trap warnings have in common? Answer: they've all provided the inspiration behind new additions to the West Midlands Exploration photostream in April. It's been a fruitful month, not quite prolific but with enough updates for me to get my teeth into - here's the latest...

For the first time in 2026, my summary spoutings start with WME Wolverhampton which has surged back to prominence. Underpinning this startling return to form have been pictures of Mander Centre murals, Oxley sidestreets (good old Atlas Croft), Penn Fields pints (high quality porter at the Starting Gate micropub) and hints of Hanbury Tennis Club. Peel Street's car park recesses have become a reliable source of street art interest including everyone's favourite cartoon skeleton, and there's even a Park Dale bollard if that floats your boat!

WME Dudley has been irrepressible this year and Wolverhampton's busy period can't totally put it in the shade. I love the Old Swan - Ma Pardoe's to its mates - in Netherton so I'm very pleased to record more of its iconic lettering for photostream posterity. Less exciting are some street signs from Oldswinford and Oldnall (Seymour Road, Racecourse Lane) but two balance beam bits from Park Head Locks redress the balance just a little. My mind however keeps on drifting back to thoughts of Bumblehole Bitter at a certain legendary watering hole...

Next up I should make a point of celebrating WME Walsall which has finally broken its duck for the year. I won't go crazily overboard about photos of Paddock Lane (The Chuckery) or a New Invention Brewery banner but slow progress is better than none at all. Also inching forth in a very gentle fashion is WME Coventry, nabbing the Nugget at Coundon Green for a slice of corporate Sizzling pub branding. Memories of Mr D9 attempting Bobby Crush impressions resonate from that particular boozer, I think my brain must be scarred for life after that!

Having mentioned Coventry I might as well hop across the county boundary and check up on WME Warwickshire. Ah, this is where those man traps threaten to grab us thanks to rustic notices on a barn in Old Milverton; I seemed to have a random thing for walls that day if my two other contributions from that small settlement are anything to go by. Sticking to a shires remit momentarily, WME Staffordshire presents Penkhull caricatures of The Potteries' most famous footballer (Sir Stanley, that's you) aided by a Norton Canes memorial tablet before WME Worcestershire mucks in with more of Malvern including a Whatley Recordon clock.

Our stragglers among the April showers are the unlikely combination of WME Birmingham plus WME Telford & Wrekin. Brum nabs two ladder-related street art segments at Newtown Swimming Baths, not forgetting a traditional Moor Pool street sign, whereas Telford positively plunders Newport for glimpses of Silverdale Close and Greenfields Drive. A vintage-styled Joules beermat at the New Inn seals the deal so - until next time - enjoy the pictures!

Station Surveillance with Towpath Turpin

Artemis II might have cast glances upon the far side of the moon but if you want edgy exploration what you really need is hardcore Black Country business with our resident royal. News that two local railway stations have reopened after a 60 year gap impelled us to take to the tracks...

These are exciting times for West Midlands transport developments. The Camp Hill Line has been reinstated for passenger services after an 80 year hiatus (we hope to report on Moseley, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road happenings in due course) while the Midland Metro tram network is being expanded in both Birmingham and Dudley. This particular trip is however dedicated to another key achievement in that two Walsall area stations are fully operational again. Darlaston and Willenhall lost their provision under the Beeching Cuts in 1965 and so finally in 2026 their rightful spots on the railway system have been resurrected.

- Darlaston Station -

Both of these new Black Country halts are currently being covered by an hourly frequency on the Shrewsbury to Birmingham via Tame Bridge Parkway service (admitting that at this stage there isn't a direct link into Walsall itself). Nick and I board the 10:55 Wolverhampton departure for an 11 minute journey into Darlaston, noting Heath Town, Deans Road and the Noose Lane level crossing along the way. Alighting on time at 11:06, we're immediately impressed by the scale of the facilities that have been built; Darlaston Station is a substantial affair above and beyond the basic halt we might have expected. Two platforms can each handle four carriage sets and a fully accessible liftshaft-cum-footbridge has been installed, plus there is ample car parking. Principal access is via Cemetery Road (off Bentley Mill Way) with a pedestrian gap onto Kendrick Road should you need it. 

- Steelworks Clues -

It is worth stating that the station is positioned at James Bridge, very close to the location of the original Victorian-era halt which functioned from 1837 to 1965. This does mean it is a fair distance from the town centre so a bus ride or a good walk might be required. Nick and I have beer matters in mind as usual, meaning our target is the Chestnut Tree on Axletree Way, part of the Junction 9 retail park complex beside the M6 motorway in Wednesbury. Much of the land hereabouts used to be part of the FH Lloyd steel foundry, the company being a major employer until succumbing to rationalisation of the industry in the 1980s. Two ornamental gates offer a nod to the past while the pub is nothing to write home about, a corporate Marstons carvery affair with a penchant for serving extra crispy roast potatoes.

- Charles Richards Imperial Works -

I have higher hopes for our second port of call although getting there involves seeing more of Darlaston's industrial underbelly. Given that HRH is used to the refined airs of Warwickshire these days, derelict factories and backstreet lock-ups can come as a culture shock with Heath Road entirely lacking in any kind of glamour. That's not to say there aren't items of interest here, most prominently the Imperial Works where Charles Richards & Sons were nut and bolt manufacturers of some renown. The firm was another casualty of the 1980s I'm afraid since when the factory has effectively lain empty, its ominous frontage still dominating this portion of Darlaston Green complete with some rather fine lettering. 

- A Crusty Cob -

 To The Crescent we next trot for the Robin Hood, easily our favourite pub of the day and my 11th stamp towards the 2026 Black Country Ales trail. An archery session is underway on an adjacent field so Nick wonders whether the participants improve their aim once they've had a pint or two - if it's anything like my darts, a calming ale could be a very good thing! Speaking of which, my Mallinsons Taiheke is a rather nice 3.8%er accompanied by a tiger bap cheese and onion cob - I like the burnt crusty cheesy pieces on top of the roll. A minibus tour sweeps in just after us and commandeers the inkpad so I have to slink back afterwards and hope the barmaid remembers my face - thankfully she does and my passport is duly decorated.

- James Bridge Aqueduct -

I've promised Nick a waterways segment so that he can reprise his role as Towpath Turpin, although if he's expecting improving vistas he'll be sorely disappointed. We cover a Walsall Canal segment from Bughole Bridge to James Bridge Aqueduct, passing under ramshackle works bridges that have been declared unsafe to deter would-be climbers. COVID microbe art is still detectable in places before I explain the significance of Forster Bridge as the gateway to the Anson Branch (which sadly looks that little bit more overgrown every time I see it). Both of us approve of the aqueduct's venerable heritage, carrying the canal over road and river, in this case the Tame. The best view is from Bentley Mill Way for a full appreciation of its twin arches and a Roman numeral date inscription for the year 1797. 

- A Willenhall Station Welcome -

Skipping back past James Bridge Cemetery and its pretty cherry blossoms, we linger again at Darlaston Station awaiting the 14:46 train. Willenhall is merely three minutes away so it isn't even worth sitting down, and we can soon survey our second new transport tick of the day. I must say this facility is a delight to visit, what with lock artwork giving it an additional edge aesthetically; Ideas, Growth and Innovation wording promotes positivity with lightbulb motifs very noticeable. Passengers have a choice of steps or a zigzag ramp onto Bilston Street, and again there are substantial liftshafts. Nick meanwhile is very excited by a British Railways-era running in board which might have been salvaged from the original station many moons ago; even if it is a faithful reproduction it certainly looks the part!

- Grinning in Gilbert's -

Willenhall's pub prospects have taken quite a battering in recent years with its Wetherspoons (The Malthouse) shutting and that real ale stalwart the Falcon also falling by the wayside. I'll therefore need to be creative to find us some interesting watering holes, beginning with the wildest of wildcards known as Gilbert's. Positioned on Field Street, it presumably must have been a members club of some description but is nowadays open to all and seems a friendly place. Dartboards are very much part of the attraction - they have at least four - and ITV's Grand National coverage from Aintree has many of the regulars transfixed. We partake of Weston's Vintage Cider and sit by the trophy shelf admiring movie star illustrations and motorbike diagrams. I sense Mr D9 would absolutely love it here...

- Who Wears The Crown? -

Elsewhere in Willenhall are a trio of previous Paul haunts each earning another airing. The Three Crowns is very much in horse racing mode, packed out with punters who aren't shy of having a flutter on the geegees. So full is it inside that we take our respective glasses of New Zealand Pale and Ossett White Rat out onto the rear patio, listening in as 'I Am Maximus' wins the famous old steeplechase. I should mention that the ale here is top drawer as befits entry in the 2026 Good Beer Guide. A trio of regal headpieces is not enough for our Nick so a separate call into the Crown on Cheapside tops up the coronet contingent, albeit much of the apparent draught offer is out of stock. We settle for Guinness and Marstons Smooth for the sake of admiring an unspoiled interior (the less said about the throwback outhouse gents loos the better), and the final say goes to a very busy Royal George for Golden Glow and Backyard Blonde overlooking the 529 bus stop. HRH's carriage home then awaits (a.k.a. the 18:03 to Birmingham New Street), and those two railway arrivals can consider themselves christened!

Waterways Walks: Lowsonford and Preston Bagot

Excellent weather over the Easter holidays needs to be maximised and what finer way of passing the time is there than staging a canalside stroll through the Warwickshire countryside. Bookworm Bygrave has researched a route for us complete with the prospect of pies and ice cream...

- Our Starting Point -

Trip Log: Tuesday 7th April 2026 and the temperatures are set to top 20°C, not bad for early April. After an Olton rendezvous to meet Emily, we park up at Lowsonford beside the Fleur de Lys pub (more of which later) ready to begin our walk along the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. The entire navigation connects the River Avon at Bancroft Basin with Kings Norton Junction where it meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, and I've steadily nibbled away at various segments over the years, often with a certain HRH for company. Bridge 41 at Lowsonford had featured on 2021's Beer Garden Safari - during that curious period where you could visit pubs but had to stay outside - so I'm delighted to reacquaint myself with Lock 31 and its associated barrel-roofed keepers cottage. It's a lovely spot in the sunshine, make no mistake!

- Bookworm Bygrave consults the instructions -

Emily has picked our suggested circuit from a 2008 Angela Jefferies book 'Drive and Stroll in Warwickshire' so we initially head in a south-westerly direction towards Wootton Wawen. The scenery is glorious with rolling fields, wispy blossoms and plenty of birdsong as we steadily descend the lock flight all while saying hello to dog walkers and cyclists. The canal narrows in places - possibly at the site of former bridges - with Lock No. 33 (Claverdon Top Lock) being accompanied by Bridge 44, one of those split structures where the central gap was designed to allow boats and horses to pass through without needing to unhitch the towrope. Ingenious!

- Yarningale Aqueduct -

The southern half of the Stratford Canal is notable for a sequence of three aqueducts within a four mile stretch of each other. I've covered the Edstone and Wootton Wawen specimens on previous explorations so my set can be completed courtesy of Yarningale. Originally built out of wood in the 1810s, it now comprises a 42 foot-long cast iron trough which carries the canal above the Kingswood Brook - it is easily the shortest of the three but that doesn't make it any less enchanting for photographic purposes...

- Bucket Lock Cottage -

... and my camera soon finds itself being totally charmed by the adjacent Bucket Lock which follows immediately on from the aqueduct. As if the name alone isn't cute enough, the cottage is very beguiling as a classic of the rounded-roof variety almost unique to this waterway; an immaculate garden is buzzing with insects and the property has been extended over time to function as a modern family home. By this stage Miss Bygrave is realising that my customary fixation on street signs also applies to lock balance beams whereby every number needs to be fully accounted for; we've just done No. 34 for those keeping count.

- Preston Bagot Lock -

Beyond Bucket Lock we proceed via Claverdon Bottom Lock (35) to encounter the three-lock portion around Preston Bagot. We're roughly a couple of miles east of Henley in Arden at this point and the photos keep on coming: another barrel-domed cottage (this time with a grand extension) and appropriate beam angles for Locks 36, 37 and 38 are duly recorded. Our guidebook actually requires us to leave the towpath at No. 36 but we add a little extra on, venturing as far as Bridge 48 for a bonus sighting of Preston Bagot Manor, a timbered farmhouse property that dates to circa 1550 with reddish-brown brickwork to admire.

- Preston Bagot Church -

Retracing our steps to Lock 36, we swap shimmering waters for paddock and pasture as the right of way traverses footbridges, fields and several stiles. All Saints Church is truly delightful, tracing its roots across a thousand years of worship and still proudly displaying a plaque from 1963 when it won a Best Kept competition. We pause to see motherly ewes tenderly guiding their newborn lambs - is there any better springtime scene? - then deftly negotiate a ford, managing not to get our feet too wet where the stream threatens to get quite deep. Add in pretty bluebells and a treacherous copse with thorny branches seeming intent on attaching themselves to my person, and it's been a cracking five miles full of interest.

- Pie Perfection -

Our reward for coming full circle back to Lowsonford is a leisurely lunch at the aforementioned Fleur de Lys. Readers of a certain age may recall when the pub's pies were a common sight at fish and chip shops across the country, becoming a national brand prior to being taken over by Pukka. Things might not be produced on quite that scale here now but pies remain a key part of the menu so we partake of pastry-encased goodness in the form of chicken, leek and bacon for the Bookworm and superb steak and kidney for me; chunky chips, jugs of gravy and a medley of vegetables make this a very satisfying meal indeed. For an establishment tucked away on a quiet Warwickshire country lane, they don't half pull in the punters. Most folk have chosen to sit outside, savouring the narrowboat views on offer from the extensive beer garden although we enjoy the rustic comfort indoors. Wadworth 6X is a decent pint too, good stuff!

- Perkins Prescription at the Henley Mile Tap -

The walk may be over but the day is not, hence we relocate to nearby Henley in Arden and relax awhile in the lovely Jubilee Gardens behind the Church of St John the Baptist. As if a Lowsonford pie was not enough of a culinary pleasure, we obtain dessert from the Henley Ice Cream Company, a family business that has been operational since 1934. Flavours such as Toffee Crunch and Salted Caramel might not have been part of their range 92 years ago but certainly hit the spot with us today! The constant queues outside the shop tell their own story as to how popular their wares can be on sunny days. Two pub interludes finish things off nicely, so it's a shout-out to the Henley Mile Tap serving their own ales based on historical happenings - Perkins Prescription is named after a local pharmacist who travelled the length and breadth of the pre-Beeching railway network - and the Black Swan. The latter is part of the Heartwood Inns Group and sees Emily's Bygrave brain cells being tested through the 1% Club board game. Mental gymnastics successfully performed, it's been a special day. Cheers!