The best MTB trails around Tutnall and Cobley CP

The National Transport Trust Red Wheel at Tardebigge Top Lock (Worcestershire) commemorates the site of Britain's longest lock flight. Located on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, the top lock is an engineering landmark that replaced an 1815 experimental vertical boat lift, making it unusually deep. History & Significance The Vertical Boat Lift: Before the traditional lock was built, inventor John Woodhouse installed an experimental vertical boat lift at his own expense. A 64-ton wooden chamber lifted boats an impressive 11 feet using a windlass. The Shift to Locks: While the lift successfully raised 110 boats in 12 hours, it proved too fragile for permanent use. In 1815, it was replaced by the deep conventional lock we see today. The Red Wheel Plaque: Awarded by the National Transport Trust, the Red Wheel acts as the transport equivalent of a blue plaque, recognizing sites of profound historical and engineering importance. The Tardebigge Flight The Longest in the UK: The Tardebigge Flight consists of 30 narrow locks spread across 2.25 miles, raising or lowering boats by 67 metres (220 feet). Navigation: Transiting the whole flight typically takes narrowboat enthusiasts about 4 to 5.5 hours.

An Ordnance Survey (OS) benchmark is a physical reference mark cut into a wall, bridge, or building to indicate a precise vertical elevation above mean sea level (Ordnance Datum Newlyn). The number "466" refers to its recorded height (466 feet or roughly 142.04 metres) above the sea level datum. The classic benchmark design is a visible "Broad Arrow" (a downward- pointing triangle) with a horizontal line etched across the middle. This horizontal line represents the exact measured height for surveyors to rest their levelling staves on. The OS carved over 500,000 of these markers across Great Britain, with historic benchmarks dating back to the 1830s. While they are nostalgic reminders of the country's mapping history, most are no longer in active use today due to the advent of GPS and GNSS technology. Because the number simply identifies the specific marker's altitude in the OS system, thousands of different OS benchmarks bear the "466" designation across the UK.

Very quiet place, which is popular among runners and walkers. However, Worcestershire&Birmingham channel is relatively well-surfaced at this section (compacted gravel with some cobblestones). So, it can be carefully(!) completed on road bikes with decent tires. If not, then ~1km of pushing in total from the nearest road.

Tardebigge top lock, 1st of 30

Great place to grab breakfast

Great spot to capture a sunset

Coming out of the woods to these top fields, the views are wonderful. Off road shoes required. Path is well kept.

Situated on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, Alvechurch Marina is close to the impressive 30-lock Tardebigge Flight, the Weighbridge pub and Alvechurch train station.