Walking

This is an easy walk along good paths.

The journey:

FROM the car park walk up the road towards Wedgwood's. At the canal, turn right before crossing it, to descend to the canal then turn right. After a good three quarters of a mile, by the Plume of Feathers, leave the canal and follow the road away from the canal to reach a small parade of shops on the right (alternative parking).

Turn right here and keep to the left side of the road. Just after house number 17, you will find a short enclosed track on the left with a stile, gate and waymark. Follow the short stretch of lane and then go over the next stile into a field. Follow the clear path and waymarks down several fields, soon passing to the left of a large pylon, over the footbridge over the river Trent and then up the right side of Bassets to reach a short lane leading to the main A34. Cross here and turn right. Very shortly you pass a pub and turn left up the first road. Pass the turning on the right and follow the road, over the hill and down to a sharp left bend. Just after this a road comes in from the right. Look for a footpath sign and gate on the left. Go through this and follow this wonderful path, soon passing some ponds on the left, down below. Pass the ponds then at the path junction on the left, continue ahead through the metal gate and then through the woods to reach the main A34 again. Cross here and turn right.

In a few yards turn left, up the road leading to Barlaston. Follow this lane for nearly a mile to reach the parade of shops. Continue ahead to the canal. For the main walk continue ahead, crossing the canal and ahead along the road. However, a more pleasant alternative (adding nearly a mile to the route) is to turn right along the canal and to follow it for about half a mile to the next bridge. Go under this then immediately right, up some steps then right to cross the canal. Go round the edge of the small power station and through the gate/stile at a short lane. Very shortly, at the next gate, turn sharp left, go over the stile then right to follow the edge of the field. Where the hedge breaks away to the right, continue ahead to reach a stile and gate ahead. Go over this and follow the farm track to reach a road where you turn right.

Follow the road to the cross roads by the green and village cross. Keep to the left of the cross and then go left along the road. Follow this road until it turns sharp right by a white, hexagonal building. At the start of the private road ahead, look for a footpath sign on the left. Follow the clear path and waymarks diagonally across several fields to reach a pond. Continue past the end of the pond then across more fields to reach Barlaston station. Follow the path by the station to reach the road. Go left here, over the crossing and back to the start.

Contributed by Peter Matthews of the Staffordshire Area Ramblers' Association. For further information phone 01782 336556.