A November stroll along the Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire borders (Part 1)
Autumnal postcards from Audlem, Bridgnorth, Codsall and Coven Heath
Autumnal postcards from Audlem, Bridgnorth, Codsall and Coven Heath
This is the first part of two in this particular series as with the dawning of November I decided to go exploring locally. There are many and varied reasons for this, ranging from the ridiculous (I had to get myself up and out of bed after watching far, far too much early morning baseball from America) to the sublime (I adore a good brisk stroll and have an Aquarian and Pomponian need to be somewhere near water) and also because it’s a wonderful fillip for one’s mental health to be away from the buzz of suburban existence and returning somewhere toward nature.
Disclaimer — I am a Southerner by birth and have a huge affinity for the sea, seaside and candy floss. But I also have an affinity for rivers, streams and canals and simply find them spiritually and soulfully soothing. Quixotically I’m not a lover of the traditional English countryside (though you are about to view a large amount of this in the following postcards) but despite my Southern, beach loving demeanour, I have to come to appreciate the nearby countryside in these three adjacent English counties and I hope these postcards convey this growing appreciation.
Normally I am a rambler of many words but not here. I will add a simple narration to the postcards and leave you to hopefully enjoy them. I also do not claim any experience or vast knowledge of the rivers and canals systems depicted, but just enjoy the auras and ascetic values these beautiful areas provide in abundance.
Audlem, Cheshire/Shropshire Border, 1st November 2021
This was the first of no doubt many visits in the future to this tiny, canal side hamlet or parish on the Cheshire/Shropshire border with a population as at the 2011 census of 1,991 inhabitants. The canal stroll was a joy as the weather held (just) and the occasional breaks in the clouds provided some rather appealing reflections on the water. It is only a two minute stroll from the canal into a small parish centre that is absolutely dominated by the huge church sitting in the centre and which provides scenic views from it’s highest publicly available vantage point.
Bridgnorth, Shropshire, 2nd November 2021
Bridgnorth is far larger than Audlem above and has a 2011 census population of nearly 20,000. The town itself is split between a “Low” and “High” town and both routes either through the river lined lower town or the higher town are busy thoroughfares and normally teeming with people on both high streets. It’s both a busy bus route and a stopping point for the fantastic and highly, highly recommended Severn Valley Railway which winds its way along the River Severn from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. The Tudor architecture is indicative of the Shropshire region as a whole and I’d also heartily recommend the stroll between the winding streets and alleyways connecting the low and high towns. In the 22 years I’ve lived in Shropshire I have been to or passed through Bridgnorth innumerable times but this was the first time I’ve ever parked the car and simply explored. It didn’t disappoint.
Codsall, Staffordshire/Shropshire Border, 2nd November 2021
Now, dear reader, you may or may not be surprised to learn that I endeavour to do my research before going exploring, or at the very least have a plan, and according to my research there is a canal flowing through Codsall and the easiest place from which to connect to the canal system is at the bottom of Church Road. So I made my way to the church and when I didn’t find a canal I spent a lovely 20 minutes with a local couple in their driveway who assured me, unequivocally, and after living at the foot of this church for 30+ years, that they’d never seen a canal anywhere near Codsall. So I took these pictures and tried to use the sun to take some “arty” type pictures and well, I’d give myself a 6 out of 10 with my standard issue camera of 8/9 years vintage and which until recently had been gathering dust in a drawer. Anyway, the church is beautiful and the canal is non-existent. Apparently. Next!
Coven Heath, Staffordshire/Shropshire Border, 2nd November 2021
I got lucky with my early morning drive to Coven Heath as (a) the reflections from the early/mid morning sun were spectacular (b) everything was just about “right”, not too autumnally cold, not too wet or boggy for a canal side stroll and (c) I had a lovely chat with an older couple who were lucky enough to enjoy these sights daily with their regular canal strolls and I fell in love with their adorable chocolate Labrador who seemed to rather like me too!
I’ve been to Coven Heath a number of times over the years, either for a canal stroll or to enjoy the hospitality of the “Anchor Inn” (previously known as the Fox and Anchor) and on the previous occasions I’ve visited the pub it’s been about as lovely and warm and welcoming as you’d expect from a leafy, canal side establishment. There’s a perfect outside dining area on the bend in the canal and I can’t recommend this enough should you be passing, either after a game of golf at the complex next door or by more old fashioned canal travelling means.