Explore the Staffordshire Countryside

From towering gritstone crags in the Peak District to unspoilt ancient heather heathland on Cannock Chase and leafy woodlands of the National Forest – discover quiet lanes, bridleways, and old pack horse trails!

Staffordshire boasts an exceptional quality of life with a vibrant community spirit despite its industrial past. Don’t miss visiting Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown’s Shugborough estate grounds designed by visiting him personally at Shugborough Estate.

Cannock Chase

Cannock Chase is one of the UK’s smallest mainland Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a perfect place to enjoy horseback riding, cycling, walking or just simply relaxing. Boasting rolling hills covered in purple heather and quiet woodlands – Cannock Chase provides an escape from traffic jams and fresh air.

The Chase is home to an abundance of wildlife including red kites, harrier hawks and buzzards – with its pond providing habitat for aquatic species like carp and bass. There is also heather, birch trees, oak forests and Cannock Chase berries which add visual charm. There are even archaeological sites which provide evidence of prehistoric man’s presence!

Cannock Chase is steeped in folklore, boasting stories about mysterious beings. Sightings have included something resembling America’s Bigfoot; another legend tells of a woman seen appearing to passers-by. Ghost hunting enthusiasts also frequent Cannock Chase as there have been sightings and tales of strange sounds such as hammer blows, singing and ancient music being heard here.

Cannock Chase lies between Hednesford, Penkridge, Burntwood, Stafford and Lichfield and not too far from Birmingham and Wolverhampton cities. It is served by public transport with D&G Bus operating the Chaserider service from its depot at Delta Way as well as Select Bus Services and National Express West Midlands providing service.

Cannock Chase Railway is a heritage steam railway operating on a circular route around Chasewater reservoir. This family-friendly attraction features activities like picnicking, boating and barbeques for an enjoyable visit.

The Peak District

The Peak District’s scenic beauty makes it a photographer’s paradise, from rugged gritstone outcrops and sparkling rivers, to its first National Park status south of the Pennines and across Derbyshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and West Yorkshire. Boasting rugged gritstone moorland reminiscent of Dark Peak while rolling limestone valleys with valleys and gorges make up White Peak – an area which was officially designated a National Park only recently!

Climbers flock to the Peak District’s cliffs and rock formations as their playground, scaling the towering structures such as Kinder Scout to test their climbing skills on routes of various grades and danger levels. Aside from climbing routes there are also dales, woodland trails, river walks and canal paths in this beautiful region.

Within this picturesque backdrop lie old market towns and villages teeming with historical industrial legacy, including longstanding pottery and brewing industries that became world renowned thanks to entrepreneurs such as Josiah Wedgwood.

Situated between major industrial cities like Manchester and Sheffield, the Peak District’s moorlands were once an oasis for those in search of peace and nature. Today it remains popular with walkers, climbers, mountain bikers, cyclists and others who visit for walking, climbing, mountain biking or cycling as well as boasting 26,000 miles of dry stone walls!

As you wander the stony paths of the Peak District, your senses are filled with the scents of grazing sheep and livestock. On one trip I witnessed wild turkeys strutting their stuff across Cressbrook fields while walking past a farm where cocks croaked, dogs barked, cocks crowed, bedraggled dead stoats were tied securely to wire fences to stop them preying upon eggs and young game birds – they were killed to prevent their predation on eggs and young game birds predation!

One of my favourite walks in the Peak District begins in Stafford. Following the Isabel Trail out of town and into Doxey Marshes nature reserve is Doxey Marshes with its wooded beauty and abundance of bird species. After your walk is complete you can return back into town where there is plenty to offer from traditional butchers and bakers as well as independent stores and boutiques offering bargains!

The Staffordshire Moorlands

Staffordshire Moorlands offer animal attractions, steam trains and stunning natural beauty spots – everything needed for an ideal short break. Experience exotic creatures up close at Peak Wildlife Park; glide along Churnet Valley Railway; or enjoy a peaceful stroll at Rudyard Lake.

The moorlands lie at the southern upland fringe of Pennines and are bordered to the north by Peak District National Park. Since late 20th century they have been promoted as scenic outdoor activity hubs.

Towns of this region boast an abundance of small shops and markets, and are connected by an intricate network of country inns.

Leek serves as the main center of this region and features high moorland hills and gritstone escarpments as well as independent boutiques on its high street.

Hen Cloud stands atop a sandstone cliff at Rushton Spencer and is one of the highest points in Somerset. Nearby Roaches (gritstone outcrops) and Cheeks Hill (on the border with Derbyshire) both reach over 1,600 feet (505 m).

There are many splendid old houses in the region, such as Beaudesert Timbered House south of Rugeley which was designed by Sir William Chambers and listed Grade II building. Additionally, Cistercian abbey Croxden near Uttoxeter and Ranton church tower dating from Early English period can also be found.

Many larger villages fall within the district’s boundaries and roughly one third of its area is rural, including Wetton with Old Hannah’s Cave, Butterton Mill and Longnor with their picturesque canal reservoirs. Alton Towers resides within the Peak District National Park to the northeast.

Staffordshire Moorlands in Staffordshire is represented in Parliament by Conservative MEP Dame Karen Bradley and acts as both a local government district and council area, with Leek serving as its council centre. The constituency covers an expansive rural region northeast of Stoke-on-Trent bordering on the Peak District.

The River Trent

The River Trent winds its way through Staffordshire’s heartland, creating a landscape in which its powerful tributaries (Churnet, Dove and Derwent) flow from the Peak District. Its moorlands, wetlands and potential for reconnecting floodplains provide important habitats for both people and wildlife alike; an increasing appreciation of their value is helping us develop new solutions to restore their health and resilience.

At 185 miles long, the River Trent is a beloved symbol of Staffordshire countryside. Its flow is controlled both by weirs and locks as well as natural processes; for instance, high discharge rates during the Pleistocene and early Holocene caused incision in floodplain gravel terraces (Lillie and Grattan 1995) creating its present meander belt across floodplains (Lillie and Grattan 1995). As climate cooled off discharge decreased and its course changed accordingly to pass through Midlands region.

From its source in Wetley Moor, the Trent flows through Staffordshire towns and villages including Stoke-on-Trent where much of its length has been culverted for most of its journey. Industrial effluent, pollution from coal mining operations and wastewater treatment processes all play a part in degrading its waters in urban reaches of its journey.

Recently, an ambitious project restored a gently meandering river channel in inner city Stoke-on-Trent to create more diverse habitats for river species and noisemakers, replacing football supporter noise at Victoria Ground with fishy sounds and birdsong instead.

Visitors looking for an enjoyable way to take in the Staffordshire countryside will find walking along the banks of the Trent an ideal way. Recreational opportunities range from fishing and birdwatching to cycling or exploring canal networks; or for the truly adventurous, rowing a narrowboat downriver can offer an exhilarating challenge!

The River Trent is also an extremely popular spot for swimming. However, as this endeavor can be hazardous and has only ever been attempted by a select few such as Tom Milner who made history when he became the first person ever to swim its entire length in June 2015.