The Navigation & Titford Pools

This cruise was all about visiting our 9th Silver Propeller location; Titford Pools.

Off we set on the Birmingham Old Main Line until we got to a section that ran directly underneath the M5. The weather was frosty but bright and the light seemed to enhance the feeling of 'otherness' in this covered microclimate. We emerged from under the motorway by turning right at Oldbury Junction on to the Titford Canal. Here we entered a flight of 6 locks called either the Oldbury Locks or the Titford Locks depending on which map you look at.

At the top and final lock we reached the Grade II listed Titford Pumphouse, now the headquarters of the Birmingham Canal Navigation Society. The stretch between here and the feeder pools at the end of the branch is the highest navigable canal in the West Midlands system at 156m above sea level. It is second highest in the country, beaten only by the Rochdale Canal at 180m.

On the other side of the pumphouse was the Spon Lane / Tat Bank Branch. We'd hoped to explore it but signs stated it was unavigable. Carrying on, Rainboat's hull scraped against the occasional silt bank that had built up due to infrequent dredging.

Further on we passed another Grade II listed building; Langley Maltings. Sadly its skeletal roof beams protruded from the red brick bulk of its body, owing to a fire in 2009.

Passing the short Whiteheath Branch to the right, we headed straight up the Causeway Green Branch. Young trees and shrubs hid the Lower Titford Pool until we turned right into it, at which point a wonderful blue expanse of water opened up. The sun shone brightly, presenting everything in vibrant colour and casting rippling reflections onto the beige grey concrete of the M5. Huge cylindrical stantions rose from the pool and carried the massive motorway bridge overhead. It felt a bit surreal and quite a thrill. Exiting this pool we backtracked and turned down the Whiteheath Branch to the Upper Titford Pool. This was smaller and had a far more rural feel, being surrounded by reeds. We tried mooring but couldn't get far enough in to the bank due to silt.

It had been a tiring journey and was well past lunch time. We therefore pulled in shortly after getting back on to the Titford Arm, beside The Navigation pub, where Will went for a bite to eat. It wasn't particularly busy and the friendly landlord and lady were particularly keen for him to bring the dogs in, saying they could happily run around off the lead. Vicky deemed Leo too tired and likely to misbehave so he just took Tiger, who had a fun time being the centre of attention for once!もっと詳しく