The eleventh of August 2022 was one of the hottest days of the year. Undaunted, however, about 20 members and friends of the Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group, followed our volunteer tour guide around the Blue Route of the Shenstone Heritage Trail, as set out in a leaflet provided by Shenstone Community Library. 

Battling with intense heat, traffic, and an enormous lorry which had lost its way through the centre of the village, it was still a delightful experience.  The easy trail took in all of the interesting buildings of this compact little village, finally leading uphill to St John the Baptist Church.  This boasted a newly restored Saxon/Norman tower with help from Historic England.   The workmen on the site had just completed the Gothic entrance arch and were due to move on to Blenheim Palace.

The outing was arranged by the group’s Events Organiser, who, from experience, knew that every visit wasn’t complete without refreshments!  In this case a truly delicious cream tea was supplied by the Shenstone Community Library Coffee Shop.  Having sampled the tea and scones, there was talk of a return visit . . . !

The attached photos follow the route of the trail.

Janet Jordan

Photographs courtesy: Eileen Donohoe, Geoffrey Molyneux, Iris Cooper and Janet Jordan.