The Staffordshire Way About the Staffordshire Way
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Official Guide THE STAFFORDSHIRE WAY ABOUT THE STAFFORDSHIRE WAY Long Distance footpath The Staffordshire Way is a long distance footpath which has been established by Staffordshire County Council. It spans the length of the County for 92 miles from Mow Cop to Kinver Edge. The route is based wholly on public rights of way or paths on which access has been granted. The Way is not one of the national long distance routes designated by the Countryside Commission, but has been created by the County Council to respond to a recognised demand for access to the Contents Page countryside. The route explores some of Staffordshire’s loveliest scenery and several of its most interesting towns and villages, as well as linking country parks and picnic places. ABOUT THE STAFFORDSHIRE WAY 2 - 3 Easy accessibility for as many people as possible was an essential factor in determining the route, so the Way starts just to the north of Stoke-on-Trent and Location Map 4 later runs close to the West Midlands Conurbation. To many people the Key to Route Maps 5 Staffordshire Way is virtually ‘on the doorstep’. The first 32 mile section of the Way from Mow Cop to Rocester opened in the spring of 1977 and proved to be a great success, receiving a commendation in the British Tourist Authority’s ‘Come to Britain’ awards for the best new tourist facilities of the year. The second stage PART ONE - GRITSTONE COUNTRY of the Way to Cannock Chase opened two years later, and the route was completed AND THE CHURNET VALLEY in 1983. Since that time, the County Council has adopted a policy of progressive management and improvement of the route, in keeping with its status as a major Along the Way 6 - 16 recreational path. In 1995 the Ramblers’ Association assisted with a major Route Maps and Directions 17 - 37 refurbishment of the Way, together with an update of this guide book, as part of their 60th Anniversary celebrations. Staffordshire is a beautiful rural County of scenic contrast, and the Way explores PART TWO - THE EASTERN VALLEYS it to best advantage. Starting among rugged gritstone hills on the edge of the Peak AND CANNOCK CHASE District, the Way turns south through the wooded valleys of ‘Staffordshire’s Rhineland’. In Mid-Staffordshire, Cannock Chase is a designated Area of Along the Way 38 - 46 Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the Way explores the heart of this lovely area. Route Maps and Directions 47 - 61 Beyond, the superb landscaped parklands of the south of the County - the results of 18th century genius and creativity - have earned it the name of ‘Parkland Staffordshire’. The area abounds with reminders of Domesday, Medieval England and tales of deeds of chivalry. The climax of the route is a lofty sandstone PART THREE - PARKLAND STAFFORDSHIRE ridge, to journey’s end at the County boundary. AND THE SOUTHERN UPLANDS The Staffordshire Way is an important link in the regional long distance path Along the Way 62 - 74 network. At Kinver Edge the Way connects with Hereford and Worcester County Route Maps and Directions 75 - 97 Council’s North Worcestershire Path and the Worcestershire Way. The latter runs for 36 miles to Malvern, and may have a future link to the Cotswold Way. The Heart of England Way - an unofficial long distance path established by its own OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION 98 - 101 Association - provides an 80 mile route through Warwickshire, to link the Staffordshire Way at Cannock Chase with the Cotswold Way at Chipping Campden. In North Staffordshire, the Staffordshire Way joins with Cheshire County Council’s Gritstone Trail, which follows the western edge of the Pennines to Lyme Park - only 10 miles from the start of the Pennine Way at Edale. 1 2 THE STAFFORDSHIRE WAY ABOUT THE STAFFORDSHIRE WAY Long Distance footpath The Staffordshire Way is a long distance footpath which has been established by Staffordshire County Council. It spans the length of the County for 92 miles from Mow Cop to Kinver Edge. The route is based wholly on public rights of way or paths on which access has been granted. The Way is not one of the national long distance routes designated by the Countryside Commission, but has been created by the County Council to respond to a recognised demand for access to the Contents Page countryside. The route explores some of Staffordshire’s loveliest scenery and several of its most interesting towns and villages, as well as linking country parks and picnic places. ABOUT THE STAFFORDSHIRE WAY 2 - 3 Easy accessibility for as many people as possible was an essential factor in determining the route, so the Way starts just to the north of Stoke-on-Trent and Location Map 4 later runs close to the West Midlands Conurbation. To many people the Key to Route Maps 5 Staffordshire Way is virtually ‘on the doorstep’. The first 32 mile section of the Way from Mow Cop to Rocester opened in the spring of 1977 and proved to be a great success, receiving a commendation in the British Tourist Authority’s ‘Come to Britain’ awards for the best new tourist facilities of the year. The second stage PART ONE - GRITSTONE COUNTRY of the Way to Cannock Chase opened two years later, and the route was completed AND THE CHURNET VALLEY in 1983. Since that time, the County Council has adopted a policy of progressive management and improvement of the route, in keeping with its status as a major Along the Way 6 - 16 recreational path. In 1995 the Ramblers’ Association assisted with a major Route Maps and Directions 17 - 37 refurbishment of the Way, together with an update of this guide book, as part of their 60th Anniversary celebrations. Staffordshire is a beautiful rural County of scenic contrast, and the Way explores PART TWO - THE EASTERN VALLEYS it to best advantage. Starting among rugged gritstone hills on the edge of the Peak AND CANNOCK CHASE District, the Way turns south through the wooded valleys of ‘Staffordshire’s Rhineland’. In Mid-Staffordshire, Cannock Chase is a designated Area of Along the Way 38 - 46 Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the Way explores the heart of this lovely area. Route Maps and Directions 47 - 61 Beyond, the superb landscaped parklands of the south of the County - the results of 18th century genius and creativity - have earned it the name of ‘Parkland Staffordshire’. The area abounds with reminders of Domesday, Medieval England and tales of deeds of chivalry. The climax of the route is a lofty sandstone PART THREE - PARKLAND STAFFORDSHIRE ridge, to journey’s end at the County boundary. AND THE SOUTHERN UPLANDS The Staffordshire Way is an important link in the regional long distance path Along the Way 62 - 74 network. At Kinver Edge the Way connects with Hereford and Worcester County Route Maps and Directions 75 - 97 Council’s North Worcestershire Path and the Worcestershire Way. The latter runs for 36 miles to Malvern, and may have a future link to the Cotswold Way. The Heart of England Way - an unofficial long distance path established by its own OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION 98 - 101 Association - provides an 80 mile route through Warwickshire, to link the Staffordshire Way at Cannock Chase with the Cotswold Way at Chipping Campden. In North Staffordshire, the Staffordshire Way joins with Cheshire County Council’s Gritstone Trail, which follows the western edge of the Pennines to Lyme Park - only 10 miles from the start of the Pennine Way at Edale. 1 2 The Way is not just another challenge for the long distance hiker. The simple maps and comprehensive notes that appear later in the book have been designed so that anyone can follow the route without difficulty. The maps also indicate some adjoining public paths which can be used in conjunction with the Way to provide short circular walks. The Way itself has been signposted and waymarked to reassure the walker that he is on the right path. The waymarks take the form of a yellow or blue arrowhead (yellow for footpath, blue for bridleway) and incorporate the Staffordshire Knot symbol. The route maps and notes indicate the location of country parks, picnic places, car parks and toilets. However, much of the Way is across private farmland and woodland, where the walker must not linger or stray from the path and where great care must be taken not to cause damage, particularly to crops, or to worry livestock. Fire too is a danger, particularly after prolonged dry weather. Without the co-operation of farmers and landowners, and assistance from numerous public and voluntary bodies, the Staffordshire Way could not have been created. The County Council wishes to express its sincere thanks to all those people who have been involved in the Way’s development, and its continuing improvement. DSHI OR RE F F W A A T Y S Follow the waymarkers - yellow and blue 3 4 The Way is not just another challenge for the long distance hiker. The simple maps and comprehensive notes that appear later in the book have been designed so that anyone can follow the route without difficulty. The maps also indicate some adjoining public paths which can be used in conjunction with the Way to provide short circular walks. The Way itself has been signposted and waymarked to reassure the walker that he is on the right path. The waymarks take the form of a yellow or blue arrowhead (yellow for footpath, blue for bridleway) and incorporate the Staffordshire Knot symbol. The route maps and notes indicate the location of country parks, picnic places, car parks and toilets.