Background | What to see | How to find it | History
Background
Darnford Park is the site of a developing section of the Lichfield Canal, created where it is not possible to follow the original canal line. The route runs between Borrowcop Locks and starts after Tamworth Road, running towards the eastern side of the A38. It will eventually include a staircase lock and be bordered by culverts under both Tamworth Road (A51) and the A38.
The work is being carried out under licence from Lichfield District Council, who own the park, with land ownership to be transferred to the Trust in due course. The area chosen for the canal was originally planted as woodland around forty years ago, with mixed-quality trees that had never been managed.
In 2012, as part of the Diamond Jubilee Appeal, Trust volunteers delivered the essential early works in Darnford Park, creating a fully surfaced temporary car park in just one day and building what has become the well‑used public footpath that still offers clear views over the canal works. These volunteer‑led achievements also included woodland clearance, environmental mound construction and the diversion of a live foul sewer – a specialist tasks carried out by Black & White Contractors of Armitage working closely with the Trust. The sewer diversion and associated earthworks were funded through private loans and donations, enabling the canal channel to be excavated and the site to be reshaped for future restoration.
Our current work here is limited until we obtain planning consent and funding to add the culverts under the A38 and A51, so our activity is focused on grounds maintenance.
What to see
Darnford Park is still evolving as a canal site, but there is already plenty to see that reflects both the engineering and environmental ambitions of the Trust.
Look out for:
- New canal channel and basin: Sections of the canal channel and a new basin have been excavated.
- Environmental mounds and sound barriers: Substantial mounds have been formed along the A38 boundary using surplus sandy material and spoil from the sewer diversion and canal excavations. These act as noise barriers for park users and incorporate log-stack habitats and “bug hotels” built from felled timber.
- Bug hotels and wildlife habitats: Softwood trunks and logs have been cut and stacked to create insect habitats and to protect retained trees. These features help to retain soil, support biodiversity and soften the appearance of the engineering works.
- A woodland path has been created from the park into the basin and back out into the park.
How to find it
Address: Darnford Park, Ryknild Street, Lichfield, WS14 9RT (please note the postcode is not accurate)
Maps: Google maps | ///engage.tunnel.hurray
Parking: There is a free car park.
Interactive map
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