- Class 170 train at Albrighton -
The main focus of this adventure would be a six and a half mile round walk using a route from an old Express & Star article, but firstly I need to get myself to Albrighton. Catching the 9:25 Shrewsbury train, the journey from Wolverhampton takes only 13 minutes and a return ticket seems reasonable value at about £4.
- Albrighton Station House -
Despite having rode through on countless occasions, this was actually the first time I'd ever alighted at Albrighton Station. The layout here is reminiscent of Codsall with the main station building on the Shrewsbury platform and an attractive lattice footbridge. The station is subject to an ongoing restoration project and I will be particularly interested to see what future uses can be found to preserve the old station house, part of which seems to be derelict at the moment.
- Village Clock -
A gentle wander along Station Road brings me into the centre of Albrighton where I can indulge in some pretty photography. Features include the local post office, the Crown Inn and Gibson's Garage although it's the village clock that catches my eye the most, aided and abetted by some colourful bunting that is helping to promote the forthcoming annual Flower Show.
- The Shrewsbury Arms -
Turning onto High Street, a couple more excellent landmarks are now on my agenda. The Shrewsbury Arms is a half-timbered inn on the edge of the village, the pub having latterly re-opened following a period of closure. Directly opposite is the parish church of St Mary Magdalene, parts of which are said to date from the 12th century while a large scale restoration project was completed here in 1993.
- Albrighton Library -
Bushfields Road leads me on a loop of a residential housing estate before I pause for pictures of Albrighton's branch library. The facility is provided by Shropshire County Council and currently opens 23.5 hours per week including Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Back on the High Street, I can venture left past the Co-op and the TSB to reach the Harp Hotel, a popular venue for real ales and live jazz performances.
- Contented Cows -
The Harp Hotel is also the starting point for my countryside walk as I join the public footpath that runs alongside the pub. In a short distance I am out among fields and kissing gates making my way towards Boningale, enjoying glimpses of nature with cows, butterflies and game birds to keep me company.
- Countryside Crops -
Emerging onto the A464 from Woodhouse Lane, I head towards Boningale Nurseries before taking the track for Upper Pepperhill Farm. The right of way marker then points me directly across an arable field - my crop knowledge is somewhat limited but I presumed it was wheat that I was plodding through trying carefully not to squash things too much. Before long I reach some secluded cottages overlooking part of the Crown Estate's Patshull Woodland and then I can exit onto Westbeech Road flanked by a long brick wall.
- Field Views -
The trail now turns for Kingswood, plotting a course along a woodland path to pass through Wrottesley Park Farm, jinking between barns and then down the farm drive. There are some lovely views to be enjoyed looking out across the fields with a hint of the Wrekin on the horizon.
- Kingswood Activity Centre -
At Kingswood I pass a mobile home park before coming across the Barn Lane entrance to the school activity centre - I remember coming here on a school trip when I was at infants back in the 1980's, and vaguely remember minibuses named Fred and Freda along with visiting the Magic Tree. The centre still serves as an educational resource specialising in adventure and outdoor learning.
- Back at Albrighton Station -
The leg back to Albrighton offers some potentially hairy moments passing directly through a couple more farmyards - some cows seemed suspicious of my presence at one point and then I had an inquisitive dog to contend with, but I managed to get through unscathed. High House Lane takes me beneath the A41 and I can then follow Kingswood Road into the centre of the village, going full circle back to the railway station in plenty of time for my 13:21 train home. An energetic escape exploring some Shropshire and Staffordshire scenery on Wolverhampton's own doorstep - good fun!
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