Birmingham & Black Country No.1: Brownhills to Sneyd Paddle Trail

2.5-4.5 hours

Duration

8.5 miles

Distance

One Way

Easy to Moderate

Difficulty

WS8 6DZ

Start Postcode

WS3 2LT

End Postcode

A. From the slipway at the centre, launch, head right and follow the canal as it meanders and contours under a number of bridges.

B. After just under 2 miles, the route goes under under York's Bridge and past the Finger Post pub. Shortly after is Pelsall Junction on your right. This formally served the Cannock coal fields before being truncated by the A5. It is dead straight and terminates at Norton Canes boatyard. There are plans to reopen the original link back to the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.

C.The canal crosses Pelsall Common and under Pelsall Works Bridge, where there is further parking and
easy access/egress if required.

D. At around 6.8 miles you will reach Birchills Junction. Keep right as the left route takes you on the Walsall Canal, via 8 locks, to Walsall Wharf.

E. The Trail finishes, after a further 1.5 miles, at Sneyd Wharf. Pass the moored boats, go under the footbridge and turn right into the stub of an old canal arm. Access/egress and possible parking (in lane or on nearby Vernon Way, 100m away).

Discover More

This is trail 1 of 6 in a series, developed in conjunction with the Canal & Rivers Trust, which run through Birmingham and the Black Country. The trails are a variety of lengths and can be paddled at your leisure. Explore just one, or complete all six in a multi-day expedition.

Opened in 1797, the canal once provided a vital link for the coalfields in the area, connecting Wolverhampton with a link north of Birmingham to Fazeley and the Coventry Canal. Its nickname ‘the Curley Wyrley’ refers to the way it winds and contours around the landscape, avoiding the need for locks.

This first leg of the Birmingham & Black Country Canoe Trail meanders quietly along the Wyrley and Essington Canal, through suburbs, countryside, and mining heritage. The Trail starts at Brownhills Canoe Centre, home of Royal Sutton Canoe Club, covering 10 miles along a historic canal.

The route starts at Brownhills Canoe Centre, home to Royal Sutton Canoe Club, a thriving club who can be often seen out enjoying the water. Toilets and showers are available with a CRT key. Parking at the centre can be arranged by contacting Brownhills Community Association (01543 452 119).

On the opposite bank, Clayhanger Common is a haven for wildlife and part of it has been designated a site of specific interest for nature conservation. Look out for deer on the canal side.

Further along the route, the canal crosses another nature reserve at Pelsall Common. Previously an ironworks, the nickname for the Common is ‘The Cracker’ after the large machine used to ‘crack’ up the foundry waste in the late 1920’s. Lowland heath wildlife and wetland-loving insects and birds can be seen enjoying the common.

The trail finishes at Sneyd Wharf, a quiet mooring spot on the edge of Rough Wood Country Park and also home to Arrowcraft; manufacturer of specialist handmade racing canoes and kayaks since 1977.

Licence Information

The waterways in this trail are managed by the Canal & River Trust, and it is a requirement for paddlers to hold a licence. Paddle UK’s On The Water membership includes an annual licence for here as well as other waterways.

When paddling, have your membership card with you as proof of licence; otherwise, you could face a fine. Get your digital membership card straight away with your licence and liability insurance included from www.paddleuk.org.uk.

JOIN PADDLE UK

Safety Information

We want you to have fun and a safe paddle! Here are some helpful tips to ensure you paddle responsibly and stay safe on your journey. Please take a moment to review these important safety tips:

– Always wear a correctly sized buoyancy aid

– Carry a mobile phone – in a waterproof case

– Tell Someone Where You’re Going

– Check the weather and conditions

– Know your limits

Check out some useful blogs and e-learnings on how to keep safe

Environment

Wherever and however you paddle, our Paddlers’ Code helps to ensure we can all enjoy and share the water safely and protect our precious environment.

Don’t get sick doing what you love. We know water quality is a concern for many paddlers. Click here for some simple advice on water quality and how to protect yourself.

Get informed, stay safe and make good decisions by checking the National Storm Overflow Map

Paddlers can play a vital role in keeping our waters free of harmful non-native species. It is crucial you Check, Clean and Dry you boat and equipment to prevent the spread. Click here for more information on Invasive Non-Native Species.

For more environmental advice and guidance, see our Blue Space Blogs section on the Paddle UK website.