Friday 18th November 2016
Abbots Bromley to Shugborough - 11 miles ish
The second of our daily hops and it feels good to be cracking on with our project.
After an initial delay trying to locate parking (and each other) due to Shugborough being closed at present whilst the National Trust takes over its management and running - we finally got back to Abbots Bromley to resume our journey.
Heading out through the churchyard, the route follows the Staffordshire Way. As you near Blithfield reservoir, you divert off the Way to walk around the reservoir. It was glorious - cold but so sunny, the light was dazzling as it reflected off the reservoir.
After crossing the Causeway, the route stayed on the main road which wasn't ideal - a busy road and no clear verges. Still we made it in one piece and soon headed off down quiet lanes again. There was then much debate as to how far 3/4 of a mile is (further than any of us thought!) and what a red brick farmhouse looks like, but we eventually found our stile where the lane ended (which might have been the best description!).
A bit of cross country then led us into Stockwell Heath, a charming little place complete with duck pond and benches, but unfortunately too early for lunch.
Here we rejoined the Staffordshire Way, finding our next stile with a bit of help from a disembodied voice from a cottage window! "Its the next one!" He also told us to make the most of our walk as HS2 is supposed to be coming through here on a built up section that will be higher than his cottage. Quite what will happen to the footpath network is anyone's guess!
The next cross country section was easier than it read and took us into Colton, a rather prosperous looking village, with some lovely houses and new, well-kept Village Hall.
After Colton, it all starts to happen as you cross the main railway line (fortunately by bridge!) full of goods trains and high-speed intercities and then the Trent and Mersey canal ( a much quieter thoroughfare). Here we stopped for lunch on the canal bridge and watched the trains fly pas
Our route on to Shugborough was along the canal. Initially, the going was quite tough - the towpath obviously doesn't get much traffic here, but further on, as the River Trent runs close to the canal, the towpath improved and the colours were glorious. The last leaves shone gold!
As the sun began to dip, the chill crept in again and we were pleased to glimpse Shugborough Hall in the distance and then pass a lovely old iron footbridge over the canal which is part of the estate.
As you leave the canal, you then cross the River Trent on a long low packhorse bridge - the longest one remaining in England. Built in 1550, it is Grade 1 listed. It has lovely low walls and V shaped passing places.
You get a great view of Shugborough Hall as you follow the drive through the estate, with views of Cannock Chase in the opposite direction. The route takes you right through the estate and, more by luck than judgement, we had parked right on our route, so no problems locating the car this time, and a speedy start guaranteed on our return.
After an initial delay trying to locate parking (and each other) due to Shugborough being closed at present whilst the National Trust takes over its management and running - we finally got back to Abbots Bromley to resume our journey.
Heading out through the churchyard, the route follows the Staffordshire Way. As you near Blithfield reservoir, you divert off the Way to walk around the reservoir. It was glorious - cold but so sunny, the light was dazzling as it reflected off the reservoir.
After crossing the Causeway, the route stayed on the main road which wasn't ideal - a busy road and no clear verges. Still we made it in one piece and soon headed off down quiet lanes again. There was then much debate as to how far 3/4 of a mile is (further than any of us thought!) and what a red brick farmhouse looks like, but we eventually found our stile where the lane ended (which might have been the best description!).
A bit of cross country then led us into Stockwell Heath, a charming little place complete with duck pond and benches, but unfortunately too early for lunch.
Here we rejoined the Staffordshire Way, finding our next stile with a bit of help from a disembodied voice from a cottage window! "Its the next one!" He also told us to make the most of our walk as HS2 is supposed to be coming through here on a built up section that will be higher than his cottage. Quite what will happen to the footpath network is anyone's guess!
The next cross country section was easier than it read and took us into Colton, a rather prosperous looking village, with some lovely houses and new, well-kept Village Hall.
After Colton, it all starts to happen as you cross the main railway line (fortunately by bridge!) full of goods trains and high-speed intercities and then the Trent and Mersey canal ( a much quieter thoroughfare). Here we stopped for lunch on the canal bridge and watched the trains fly pas
Our route on to Shugborough was along the canal. Initially, the going was quite tough - the towpath obviously doesn't get much traffic here, but further on, as the River Trent runs close to the canal, the towpath improved and the colours were glorious. The last leaves shone gold!
As the sun began to dip, the chill crept in again and we were pleased to glimpse Shugborough Hall in the distance and then pass a lovely old iron footbridge over the canal which is part of the estate.
As you leave the canal, you then cross the River Trent on a long low packhorse bridge - the longest one remaining in England. Built in 1550, it is Grade 1 listed. It has lovely low walls and V shaped passing places.
You get a great view of Shugborough Hall as you follow the drive through the estate, with views of Cannock Chase in the opposite direction. The route takes you right through the estate and, more by luck than judgement, we had parked right on our route, so no problems locating the car this time, and a speedy start guaranteed on our return.
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