Walkspace goes into the Netherton Tunnel...
Hello walking enthusiast!
In this edition of the Walkspace newsletter we invite you on a journey through the longest canal tunnel in the West Midlands and we have some beautiful photos to share from last month's Spaghetti Pilgrimage.
Into the Abyss: The Netherton Tunnel
For June's Erratic we're venturing deep into the dark heart of the Black Country with a chilling walk through The Netherton Tunnel. Join us on June 25th... if you dare! Read on for details.
The Netherton Tunnel was dug between 1855-1858 and stretches 1.7 miles beneath the Rowley Hills. It is accessible to the public via towpaths either side of the canal. The tunnel is unlit save for the natural light that enters through eight ventilation shafts spaced evenly across its length. These are the only connection to the world above. At the innermost point of the tunnel you are 105 meters below the ground and all you can see is a pinprick of light far ahead, and the same behind.
Above ground the ventilation shafts are visible as cylindrical chimneys, or "pepper pots" as they're locally known. They sprinkle the suburban landscape and can be found in woods, on roundabouts and in gardens. Legend has it that eight of these shafts can be counted inside the tunnel but only seven have been identified above. Where is the missing pepper pot? Will we find it?
This walk begins and ends at Dudley Port Station. We shall enter the tunnel through the north portal, a twenty minute walk from the station. Assuming we all make it through, we shall emerge about 45 minutes later in Bumble Hole (grow up) nature reserve where we can drop by the visitor centre and use the facilities. The return journey will be above ground, tracing the route of the tunnel by walking between the pepper pot chimneys.
This is our longest Erratic to date by some distance: we estimate a 6 mile round trip. If you think you have what it takes, meet Andy and Andrew at the main entrance to Dudley Port Station at 10am, Saturday, 25th June. No need to book. Bring a torch, a packed lunch and sturdy footwear as the towpath can be uneven and wet in the tunnel. The terrain will be pavement, grassland, towpath and roads with some steep climbs on the way back. We aim to be back at Dudley Port Station by 2pm.
Walk Report
Last month we teamed up with Flatpack Festival for a pilgrimage to Spaghetti Junction in celebration of its 50th birthday. We had a great turn out of 25+ people and the weather was kind, which all made for a delightful and profound day. We were very fortunate to have the occasion documented by the super talented photographer Katja Ogrin. Her pictures beautifully capture the spirit of the day and she's kindly agreed to let us share them with you. We've posted them on our blog along with a short write-up and some other photos taken by Liberty Rowley and Andy Howlett. See the post here.
We’ll be in touch again soon with details of next month’s Erratic and an exciting new project announcement.
All the best,
Andy, Fiona and Pete: The Walkspace Committee.
