Stakenbridge/Churchill - the forge mill

This is the second part of yesterday's walk. Just into Worcestershire, and starting at the bridge on the road between Churchill and Hagley

This time, I turned right (looking from this picture)

I was amused by the house name

I crossed a field to this level crossing. You just walk straight across!

The railway

Turning back towards Churchill I came to this lovely fishpond/lake...

...and this complete surprise. It's a former forge mill, now in the care of English Heritage. Click here for more details

A view inside

The gate was made by Mr Bache, the original owner

The sluice gates for the lake. Presumably to  regulate the waterwheels in the mill

Back out by the barn conversion

Looking over the wall, another lake right next to the road. I'd never seen it before, having only driven

Walking is full of surprises!

Walk details: from the Stakenbridge Railway Bridge turn up past Bridge Farm, and just before it reaches the main road, take the path on the right through the middle of a field. Cross the railway line, past the mill and follow the lakes back to your starting point. Combining yesterday's walk with this makes about 4.5 milesas a figure of eight, but both walks are interesting enough to do as stand-alone short walks.