There's something about walking alongside water that changes your pace. The canal towpaths near Himley offer exactly that — flat, car-free paths through quiet countryside, with narrowboats, wildlife and the occasional lock-side pub to mark your progress.
The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal
Built in the 1770s by James Brindley, this canal runs close to the hotel and connects the Trent and Mersey Canal at Great Haywood with the River Severn at Stourport. It passes through some of the most attractive countryside in the Midlands — rolling farmland, mature woodland and sandstone cuttings.
Suggested Routes
Short Walk: Himley to Wombourne (2 miles each way)
A gentle walk along the towpath heading north. The route passes through open farmland and light woodland. Wombourne has several pubs and a café for a halfway stop before you turn back.
Half-Day Walk: Himley to Kinver (4 miles each way)
Heading south, the canal winds through increasingly attractive countryside towards the village of Kinver. The walk takes about 90 minutes each way at a comfortable pace. Kinver has excellent pubs, tea rooms and the National Trust's famous rock houses to explore before the return journey.
Canal walking is the opposite of hiking. There are no hills, no scrambles, no route-finding decisions. Just one path, one direction, and the gentle sound of water.
What to Look For
- Narrowboats: The canal is still used by leisure boaters — watch for colourfully painted boats passing through the locks
- Wildlife: Kingfishers, herons, moorhens and dragonflies are regular canal residents
- Lock mechanisms: The heavy wooden balance beams and iron paddle gear are a reminder of 250 years of engineering history
- Bridges: Many of the original brick bridges survive, each with a number plate recording its position on the canal
Practical Tips
Surface: Mostly compacted gravel — trainers or walking shoes are fine in dry weather; boots recommended after rain.
Difficulty: Flat and easy. Suitable for all fitness levels.
Access: Join the towpath from the lane behind Himley village, a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
Not every walk needs a summit or a view. Sometimes the best ones are the ones that simply let you breathe, think and move at your own pace. The canal towpath delivers exactly that.
