The rest of Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich

Last time was the fun fairs, this time everything else at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich. There is a bandstand and a pavilion. Also a War Memorial. Gatehouses at two of the entrance gates. A footbridge that goes over a major road. Plus a Pleasure Pool (or boating lake). The visits from July 2017 and August 2019. Not expecting to go back any time soon though.

Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich

Previous post: Fun fairs post at Dartmouth Park.

Welcome to Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich. The park is close to West Bromwich Town Centre and Sandwell Valley Country Park. Surrounded by the following roads: The Expressway, Reform Street, Lloyd Street, Devonshire Drive and Trinity Way. It is a Grade II listed park, with a bandstand, War Memorial, Gatehouses, and a Pleasure Pool (boating lake). You can also hire bikes from the park at Valley Cycles.

My visits were in July 2017 (heading to Sandwell Valley on the Big Sleuth bear hunt) and August 2019 (in the area again and noticed that there was a footbridge to cross).

2017

The visit at the end of July 2017. Approaching the entrance gates from Reform Street in West Bromwich. Was an Asian wedding party there at the time, hence the car on the drive.

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Later heading back into West Bromwich Town Centre, and back to the gates at Reform Street.

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The gatehouse at the Reform Street entrance.

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Later on the way out of the park I took another photo of the Reform Street gatehouse.

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Outside of the Reform Street entrance was the Crown & Cushion pub nearby.

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The War Memorial was on the left of the main entrance path. It is Grade II listed.

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It dates to circa 1920. In memory of the local men and women lost during the Great War of 1914-18 (WW1).

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At the top is a bronze winged statue.

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Close up details of the bronze winged statue.

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This green box was an electric feeder. Pre-war it was used to service the trams in West Bromwich. Post-war it was re-sighted here to light up the war memorial, and from 1951 worked the floral clock.

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View of the Bandstand and Pavilion.

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This time the Pavilion is to the left and the Bandstand to the right.

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There was also this drinking fountain in the park.

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A look (below) at the Jubilee Sensory Garden 2012.

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Outdoor wooden instruments that you can interact with.

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Heading down to the Pleasure Pool as I made my way towards Sandwell Valley.

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To the far left was swan paddling boats you could hire for a ride.

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There was about four swan boats here, with room for about 4 people in each. Also an inflatable boat to the left. Would assume you have to wear a life jacket.

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There was also a pond with Canada geese and swans.

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Be like the Chuckle Brothers and you could hire Surrey Bikes. Small £9 or Large £14. "To me ... to you!". Paul Chuckle is still alive, but his brother Barry passed away in August 2018.

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You could also hire regular bikes from Valley Cycles. Adult Bikes from £7.50 or Kids Bikes from £6. Even a tricycle with a passenger seat at the back!

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2019

After checking out the fun fair again, during the August 2019 visit, I made my way to the footbridge that I saw on Google Maps. Lots of trees on the walk along the path here.

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Heading on along the path towards those trees.

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More trees as I got close to the footbridge.

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View of the park beyond from the curved ramp of the footbridge, as I was about to cross over The Expressway. Beyond the trees is the M5, and on the other side of the motorway is the Priory Woods. Where you can find the Sandwell Priory Ruins (somewhere to visit in the future).

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First view of the curved ramp that leads to the footbridge I wanted to cross.

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It appears to all be made out of concrete.

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The start of the curved ramp from the park side.

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Starting to walk up it.

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Now on the actual bridge that crosses The Expressway.

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About halfway over. Would be one more spiral ramp to go down.

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Onto the next spiral ramp.

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Going around in circles again. It takes you to the Beeches Road gate. Also directly opposite Herbert Street.

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Almost near the bottom of the spiral ramp.

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One last look at it.

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There was another gatehouse, similar of design at the Beeches Road entrance.

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View of the Beeches Road gates. Herbert Road is straight ahead.

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Beeches Road gatehouse on the right and the gates in front.

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The Beeches Road gatehouse also has a clock between the ground floor and first floor windows.

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Before I left Dartmouth Park, saw this notice board and map from Sandwell MBC. It is also an alcohol restricted area from the West Midlands Police.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.