All towns should be like this

Tamworth seems to have 2 claims to fame. It is apparently the fattest town in the UK (you heard it here first) and it has some of the best cycle facilities I have seen in a town. Clearly the fat people should be getting out and using them. So why was I on Tamworth anyway?

Well as you may have seen on previous posts we are looking to establish a route between Tamworth and Nuneaton. We surveyed the whole route a month or so ago but there were issues getting through Nuneaton and also around the Whateley area outside Tamworth there was a nasty stretch on Trinity Lane adjacent to the M42. So I set off to Tamworth to see if there was a viable westerly route through Dosthill / Whateley area and the answer was yes there is.

I have described the route below, but first a word on Tamworth town cycling. Pick up a copy of the Tamworth cycle map (PDF here) and you are immediately struck by how many green routes there are. These are off road segregated cycle paths that take you around and through the town. Sure some are by the sides of roads, but many are through parks and open spaces. Whats more they interlink, they have good road crossings, are well signed and well surfaced - a delight to cycle.

Anyway enough gushing, what about the route?

I have not mapped out the route yet, but with the description below you should be able to follow the route easily on the Tamworth Cycle Map (see link above).

From the station, the route initially follows the cycle path along Saxon Drive before getting away from the road onto paths through the park and past the Snowdome. The route then broadly follows Peelers Way. After crossing Peelers Way the route joins some quiet estate roads for a short stretch before picking up another off road path alongside the River Tame. We then join another quiet estate road again which takes us to Dosthill Park. From here we follow a cycle path along the Tamworth Road, before crossing over the road to take another cycle path alongside Hedging Lane. The end of Hedging Lane is a bit of a pull up, but nothing too bad and the cycle path ends a little before the right turn into Hockley Lane. Hockley Lane leads into Whateley Lane which is a delightful single track lane which takes you through Whateley (a little hilly) and across the M42. A short right / left dogleg takes you across Trinity Lane and you are then on your way to Wood End and Nuneaton beyond.

A good route methinks I would be interested in your views.

Alan

PS If you decide you have to see Tamworth why not take a trip to see the Staffordshire Hoard. Its free, but you have to book. Better still if you are going to Camp Conkers, Shawn will take you there.