John Morris Jones Walkway

I discovered this little walkway by chance, after visiting a craft fair at Sarehole Mill. It is a lovely little path that follows the River Cole from Cole Bank Road to Robin Hood Lane, where one can easily access The Dingles to continue walking along the river.
A bit of research tells us that John Morris Jones was a headmaster at George Dixon Junior School from 1960 to 1980, who wrote extensively about the history of the local area.
John Morris Walkway along with 13 other patches of grassland and wetlands in the vicinity, collectively make up the Shire Country Park. The Shire Country Park follows Millstream Way along the River Cole from Small Heath to Shirley an also encompasses Moseley Bog, Swanshurst Park and Billesley Common. The name «Shire» in these parts obviously evokes Tolkienography, but I would guess that they named the Country Park after Tolkien’s Shire. But don’t let that detract from the significance, as Tolkien talked about the local area’s influence. He lived 300 yards from Sarehole Mill at the turn of the century, so it’s very likely that he followed the same paths along River Cole.
The river (which is a distributary of the River Tame), is more of a stream at this point; shallow and narrow, but pleasant enough.
Near to the Cole Bank Rd end of the path is a playing field that is completely hidden from the road. The grounds are well maintained and even cut by traditional methods like scythe, thanks to the ‘Brum Reapers’ (cool name huh?).
It is a pretty short walkway at a mere 1 km long. However, at both ends one can easily join other footpaths that create a web across the city.
Would’ve given 3.5, so generously rounded up to 4.

I literally stumbled across this walkway today (yes, it was painful and embarrassing…) whilst mooching around in Billesley — as one does. I had no idea it existed before, or indeed the Shire Country Park of which it is a part (along with Sarehole Mill, Moseley Bog, The Dingles and other bits of random Birmingham parkland). I’m always pleased to find green spaces, so I went for a little stroll.
It’s always nice to discover little green hidden treasures amongst the urban sprawl, so I enjoyed my little wander through the walkway’s little hedgerows which line the banks of the River Cole (I say ‘River’ it’s more of a stream, really). There were lots of chirrupy birds around who were obviously enjoying their time in the Shire, but I have to say, it did look like it needed a bit of TLC as the path and the field both were a bit overgrown.

Located over the road from Sarhole Mill, this nature walk is another great inspiration to Tokien, who used to explore the river Cole as a child. The walkway is named after a headmaster from George Dixon Junior School, who wrote about the heritage of Birmingham in every district. This pathway certainly breathes the same history from Jone’s pages, and feels very magical and enchanting to walk through, especially in the summertime when you hear birds, crickets and other insects.
I often walk down this path to escape the smog of Birmingham, and become transported to a new aged, natural environment. And the walkway is perfect for runners, joggers and bikers, because it stretches such a long way.
There’s a few fruiting bushes along the path, and I often go and collect plums, blackberries and raspberries from the wild, overgrown edges of the walk (as do many other people). The plums are little yellow ones, which are very sweet and perfect for making pies. So if you want fresh, great tasting fruit to eat, John Morris Jones Walkway is definitely the place to pick your own.
Who’d have thought such delicious food could be found in the wilderness of Birmingham?