The 229-year-old Wyrley and Essington Canal, known locally as 'the Curly Wyrley', winds from Wolverhampton to Chasewater Reservoir and is a hidden gem behind Bentley Bridge Leisure Park. Designated as part of the UK's longest linear nature reserve in 2014, it offers 23 miles of uninterrupted towpath for walkers and nature enthusiasts.
Canal Wildlife and History
Under old brick bridges, families of Canada geese, coots, and otters are regular sights. Lily pads and fish add to the serene atmosphere. Shallow grooves etched into a cast-iron footbridge behind The Nickelodeon pub are silent reminders of horse-drawn canal barges that wore away the brickwork over decades.
Wednesfield North Cllr Phil Bateman, 76, said: "Natural England said it was the longest linear nature reserve in the whole of the United Kingdom. The real benefit is there's not a single lock along this canal all the way to Chasewater, so ramblers can walk 23 miles uninterrupted."
Annual Canal Festival
Thousands flock to Wednesfield's annual canal festival, now in its 12th year. A record 12,400 visitors are expected on August 8 and 9. Activities include floating craft markets, a funfair, and kayaking. Phil Bateman noted: "In all the years it's been running, we've never had an incident, like a fight. When the cops came last year, they thought flippin' heck, there's some people here."
Insp Emma Clarke of Wednesfield Police said: "We are always delighted for our community events to be well supported... we have a policing plan in place to help ensure everyone stays safe."
Wednesfield in Bloom
For 10 years, Wednesfield has participated in Britain in Bloom, winning gold every year since 2016 in the West Midlands urban community category. Volunteers, including members from the Guru Nanak Gurdwara and St Thomas' Church, create vibrant floral displays. Mary Bateman, 73, said: "Flowers have done so much for race relations in Wednesfield... The judges said it was very unusual for communities to work together like this. They'd never seen it before."
Volunteer Maureen Smith, 82, said: "I do it to make the place look better. When I retired, I needed something to do." Mary added: "It's harder to get the younger generations into volunteering. You don't see it as much these days."
High Street Regeneration
New paving slabs funded by £3.3 million in government funding are being laid across the high street, with work expected to take 10 months. Despite recent losses of Woolworths, Lloyds, NatWest, and Barclays, the town retains historic gems like the Dog & Partridge pub, dating back to the late 16th century and licensed since 1782.
A new desi mixed grill pub, The Boat, is set to open later this summer after a £300,000 revamp of the Grade-II listed canalside pub, which closed in 2020. One of the new owners said: "This used to be the cocaine and cannabis capital (of the area)... This is about bringing something quality to the area and uplifting it."
