Background | What to see | How to find it | History gallery
Background
Fosseway Heath covers a distance of just over half a mile through locks 18 and 19 from Fosseway Lane to the Lichfield southern bypass, Falkland Road.
The Lichfield Canal at Fosseway Heath was derelict land, donated to us by Lichfield District Council. Work to excavate and repair the buried lock 18 was carried out in the mid 1990s. Then in mid-2017 we received approval of our application for £18,500 to the Postcode Local Trust to develop ‘Fosseway Heath, Nature Reserve and Wetlands’. This funding enabled us to develop the Heritage Towpath Trail and nature trail, along the route of the canal, by creating a proper surfaced towpath and a boardwalk through a planned wetland area. Fosseway Heath makes a valuable contribution to recreate rare lowland heathland, providing stepping stones for improving biodiversity. (Since 1800 over 80% of the UK’s heathland has been lost.)
What to see
This section is still under construction, with no water in it (yet), but forms a lovely walk. There’s a huge amount of wildlife in the established trees, hedgerows, and the new planting we’ve undertaken.
Public access is available along the circular route, from Falkland Road to lock 18. The path is accessible for wheelchairs, but there is currently only one access point, which is up a steep slope. You can take the circular walk along the towpath and back along the nature trail, or cut go one way with access from Falkland Road or Fosseway Lane.
Look out for:
- Fosseway Queen – a brick half-size narrow boat replica
- The ‘oss is ahead of Fosseway Queen ready to tow her along the canal
- A hobnail boot print and dog paw print, possibly from the original navvies, in the heritage bricks at the gate.
- Swan Island is the site of old lock 19, which is no longer needed. We’ve made it into a feature island, which will be surrounded by water one day.
- Three walkways; the towpath and offside path, plus a nature trail along the railway embankment.
- Birds of prey can often be seen souring overhead and there’s an owl about at night.
- Lots of birds, butterflies and other lovely bugs – too many to mention.
How to find it
Address: Falkland Road, Lichfield, WS14 0GE
Maps: Google maps | /// string.deed.studio
Parking: There is no designated parking area, but you can park along Falkland Road on the grass verge.
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History gallery
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