Packwood House and Knowle Locks

After a certain Mr D9 made his comeback on the WME blog last week, I'm very pleased to report that another of our favourite people has likewise returned to exploration action. Yes folks it's a huge 'welcome back' to our resident royal Nick who reports in for duty, ready to guide us around deepest Solihull on a walk that will cover Dorridge, Packwood House, Heronfield and Knowle Locks...

- Widney Manor Cemetery -

Friday 9th October 2020 and I reckon it must be getting on for seven months since I last saw Nick in person. Our first meet since mid-March hits a potential snag almost immediately when Nick's train up from Warwickshire is cancelled; no matter, we simply rearrange our Dorridge rendezvous to be an hour later instead. This gives me an unexpected window for some Widney Manor wanderings, gathering a few station photos before crossing above the M42 motorway and spotting the local lawn cemetery. The latter is a relatively new facility, opening in 1992 and notable for a cartwheel layout within part of the cemetery grounds. 

- Bentley Heath Level Crossing -

The bonus discoveries continue in Bentley Heath where Widney Road introduces me to a community centre next to a spectacularly autumnal recreation ground - a riot of golden leaves for me to capture on camera here. Bentley Heath C of E Primary School lurks down Widney Close whereas Slater Road junction offers assorted shops including a post office and a newsagents. I meander my way through the estate to reach Mill Lane with its railway level crossing as accompanied by a traditional lattice footbridge - sadly the old signal box was demolished when the crossing became remotely operated from Saltley. 

- Packwood Church -

Poplar Road helps me reach Dorridge Station in time to meet Nick at the agreed revised hour (11:30) and the trip proper commences among the posh properties of Arden Road, leading via a private drive into Dorridge Park. If anything the houses get even more exclusive along Windmill Lane - triple garages, intercoms, room for a pony - as we proceed to the hamlet of Packwood. Nick is always one for rummaging around country churchyards so he gets his fix at St Giles's off Glasshouse Lane, beguilingly nestled within a wooded glade and boasting a centuries-old sundial painted onto the 'Tower of Atonement'. The tower was financed by the infamous landowner Nicholas Brome as part of his penance for murdering the parish priest. 

- Just Making Oneself At Home -

Further sundial treats await at nearby Packwood House where Nick could easily imagine himself being Lord of the Manor. Owned and maintained by the National Trust since 1941, Packwood is Tudor in origin having been built by the Fetherston family in the late 16th century. Purchased by the industrialist Alfred Ash in 1904, it was his son Graham Baron Ash who is largely credited for the house's subsequent restoration. We haven't booked in advance and so can't get entry under the current Covid restrictions but the splendour of the place is still apparent, as are some of the topiary yews for which the formal gardens are rightly recognised. Sweetcorn and sheep are then part of the scenery as a tree-lined avenue stretches forth to Chessetts Wood.

- Pure UBU at the Kings Arms -

Next on Nick's masterplan is a stretch of the Grand Union Canal which means we join the towpath at Turnover Bridge (No. 67), close to Chapel Lane. Bearing north towards Knowle, we enjoy the timeless tranquility that often comes with a waterways walk. The stroll is punctuated by two pub visits with both hostelries having regal elements to their names; the Black Boy harks back to King Charles II in supplying St Austell Tribute Ale and restaurant vibes, whereas the Kings Arms (formerly the Herons Nest) provides Pure UBU, a spiky tabletop potplant and a wall mural depicting an ancient map of Warwickshire - no wonder Nick approves!

- Inspecting Knowle Locks -

Onwards we go for the gentle climb up Knowle Locks, a superb sequence of five broad locks that were constructed in the 1930s to replace the original narrower flight of six (the remains of which are still very much visible). The total rise is roughly 42 feet between Bottom Lock (No. 47) and Top Lock (No. 51), and I'm in photographic paradise with so many interesting angles to entice the eye. There are keepers' cottages at either end of the flight while a rustic little wharf offers boat building and dry dock services. We pass beneath Kenilworth Road before arriving at Bridge 72 for Kixley Lane from whence we can exit into the centre of the village.

- Knowle Library -

Although technically within the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, Knowle seems very much a Warwickshire locality at heart. There are some gorgeous buildings such as the Parish Church (said to have been consecrated in 1403), the Guild House (next door to the Church) and Knowle Library (otherwise known as Chester House, a timber-framed gem). Besides the architecture there are more pubs to consider, hence we pop into the Vaults to partake of Somerset Scrumpy cider - potent at 6% - then finish in the excellent Ale Rooms with a Giggle and Titter, Nick getting into the Halloween spirit amidst some comedy pumpkin ornaments. Station Road is tasked with returning us to Dorridge in readiness for our homeward connections, and fingers crossed it won't be another seven months until Nick and I next meet!