Hay Head Wood and Walsall's waterfront

The walk starts from the Hay Head Wood Nature Reserve and proceeds along the tow path of the Rushall Canal, where once horses pulled heavily laden narrow boats of limestone to flux mills and cement factories in the Black Country.

As you explore the history of the Black Country, it becomes clear that Walsall was very much at the hub of the Industrial Revolution in 19th-century Britain. Each large town in the area had its role to play, and limestone, used as flux in the iron foundries and for cement production in the construction of canal buildings, was mined in the countryside around Walsall. The town also became England’s centre for the manufacture of leather goods and fine saddlery – the nickname of the local football team is the Saddlers. Much of old Walsall has disappeared, but it has become a vibrant modern town, surrounded by numerous parks, which offer a link with its industrial past.

The 'Curly Wyrley' and the Rushall

John Wilkinson, a famous pioneering 'ironmaster' opened up Hay Head Wood for limestone excavation in the 18th century. The rock was transported along two canals – the Wyrley and Essington, and the Rushall. The Wyrley and Essington was completed in 1797, with nine locks designed to lift the lime-laden barges some 65ft (20m) up to the Longwood Junction near Aldridge. This contour canal, affectionately known as the Curly Wyrley, follows the lie of the land and winds its way from Hay Head Park up to Lime Pits Farm and Park Lime Pits Local Nature Reserve, then on to the north of Birmingham. The Rushall Canal was built as a 2.5-mile (4km) connection between the Wyrley and Essington Canal and the Tame Valley Canal. Limestone extraction finally ceased in the 1920s, but remnants of the canal wharf buildings, pit shafts and pump housings can still be seen. The land around the lime pits has since been reclaimed by nature.

From the car park proceed over Longwood Lane, now on the Beacon Way, through a lay-by and on to the Longwood Bridge. Cross it to descend left to the tow path of the Rushall Canal. Go right (southwest) and walk past the canal junction, now off the Beacon Way, along the side of the very straight part of the canal.

After 1,100yds (1km) you will come to Moat Bridge (do not cross). Go right along the hedged track. Shortly a gravel track leads left. Follow this briefly but maintain your direction from the canal along the edge of a field and through little copses of trees, eventually to skirt the edge of a cricket pitch. The path arcs left to the end of King George Avenue. Keep ahead past another cricket pitch before swinging right to a municipal depot and parking area. Cross the car park, heading for an exit on the opposite side by a dog waste bin. Join a tarmac path, now to the left side of a stream. After about 700yds (640m), turn right over a stone footbridge, and then left along the right-hand side of a children's play area up to reach a tarmac footway.

Head right up the footway to leave the park area, then cross over Buchanan Road and continue up the footpath until you reach Argyle Road. Turn right and follow the road as it arcs round to the left. Now turn right on Fernleigh Road and follow this to the main A454.

Cross over the A454 and turn right, soon joining the grass verge. In around 250yds (229m) go left over a stile by a footpath sign to Riddian Bridge. The path goes off to the right of a farm building, then dog-legs left to reach a hedge line on the far side of the field. Finger posts give the rough direction, eventually on a faint path through vegetation to reach Riddian Bridge.

Descend to the tow path of the Wyrley and Essington Canal and turn right. This is easy walking, with just a few ducks and perhaps a heron or two for company. You may see fishermen on the banks of the canal attempting to catch some of the roach, tench, carp and pike that live in the waters. In about 0.5 miles (800m) you come to Longwood Bridge. Beyond the bridge, exit with the Beacon Way signs to the A454. Cross the canal and bear right to return to the car park at the nature reserve.