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The Roaches in the Staffordshire Moorlands

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Stoke-on-Trent is one of the greenest cities in the UK and we are very lucky to have buckets full of green space, beautiful parks, gardens, and open spaces including Westport Lake and Park Hall Country Park. What’s also great is that these green spaces are also connected by over 160km of cycle routes including many quiet off road paths, greenways, canal towpaths and river routes.

The city is also surrounded by stunning countryside too. Within Staffordshire you’ll find a National Park, areas of outstanding natural beauty, national forests and National Nature Reserves.

To the north east of Stoke-on-Trent lies the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands and the Peak District National Park. Here you will be blown away with amazing views from the craggy Roaches near Leek, and discover mystical legends at Lud's Church, a deep chasm penetrating the Millstone Grit bedrock near Gradbach.

Have fun on and around the reservoirs of Tittesworth and Rudyard - the surrounding breathtaking landscapes provide a perfect backdrop for sailing, kayaking, walking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits.

The Staffordshire Moorlands has some brilliant paths and trails for walking and cycling – check out the Manifold Valley Way which follows the route of the former Leek and Manifold Light Railway along sheltered valley bottoms through stunning scenery. The 8 mile route is tarmacked throughout, and with only a slight downhill gradient from north to south making it perfect for a family cycle ride! Along the route you can explore Thor’s cave and see the River Manifold disappear down a sink hole near Wetton Mill, to reappear some distance way, at Ilam!

To the south of the City, you can enjoy the open country parkland and secluded byways of South Staffordshire as well as the unspoilt ancient heather heathland of Cannock Chase, perfect for a relaxing walk or an exhilarating day exploring the midlands best mountain bike trails.

To the east lies the peaceful, leafy woodlands of the National Forest. The National Forest embraces 200 square miles of the Midlands, and is taking root in the heart of England across parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. It is transforming the landscape with the aim of linking the two ancient Forests of Charnwood on its Eastern fringe with Needwood Forest to its West.

To explore the countryside at a leisurely pace, why not explore Staffordshire’s sleepy canal network by piloting a narrowboat?

Whether you want exhilaration or relaxation, Stoke-on-Trent provides a great base to explore some of the UK’s most stunning countryside.

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Trent & Mersey Canal

Address:

Etruria Junction, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 4RB

Type

Type:

Canal

Stoke-on-Trent

The Trent and Mersey Canal is a 93.5-mile long “narrow canal” that runs through the East Midlands, West Midlands, and north-west of England. The canal links the River Trent near Derby with the Mersey at Runcorn.
The canal runs through…
The Trentham Estate

Address:

Stone Road, Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 8JG

Telephone:
01782 646646

Email:

enquiry@trentham.co.uk

Type

Type:

Garden

Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent

Home to Trentham Gardens, Trentham Monkey Forest, Trentham Treetop Adventures and Trentham Shopping Village - this is a destination with something to please everyone!
Westport Lake Visitor Centre

Address:

Westport Lake Road, Tunstall, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 4RZ

Telephone:
01782 826985

Email:

info@staffs-wildlife.org.uk

Type

Type:

Visitor Centre

Tunstall, Stoke-On-Trent

Westport Lake, created alongside the Trent and Mersey Canal is a nature reserve consisting of two lakes and a conservation area. It includes a Visitor Centre and play area.
Central Forest Park

Address:

Chell Street, Sneyd Green, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 6BB

Telephone:
01782 234234

Email:

enquiries@stoke.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Park

Sneyd Green

Central Forest Park is a beautiful green space in the heart of the city. It provides facilities for walking, cycling, dog walking, informal sports, and skateboarding. The grassland provides an important home for insects, birds, and unusual plants,…
Hanley Park

Address:

Cleveland Road, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 4DX

Telephone:
01782 234234

Email:

enquiries@stoke.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Park

Stoke-on-Trent

Hanley Park is close to both the City Centre and the railway station. It is a fantastic example of an historic Victorian park with an exciting and varied range of facilities for all the family!
Longton Park (Queens Park)

Address:

Longton Park (Queens Park), Trentham Road, Dresden, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST3 4AZ

Telephone:
01782 235892

Email:

kay.steele@stoke.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Park

Dresden, Stoke-on-Trent

Formal park with a lake, play area, football pitch, crown green bowls and fishing facilities.
Mow Cop Castle

Address:

Mow Cop, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 3PA

Type

Type:

Viewpoint/Beauty Spot

Stoke-on-Trent

Standing at the highest point of Mow Cop's outcrop of sandstone grit at 355m above sea level is Mow Cop Castle. Mow Cop Castle is a mock tower that was built as a summer house in 1754 by Randle Wilbraham, the local Lord of the Manor. This tower is…
Caldon Canal

Address:

Stoke-on-Trent to Froghall Wharf, Staffordshire, ST10 2HQ

Type

Type:

Canal

Staffordshire

Built in 1776, the Caldon Canal is widely seen as one of the most interesting waterways in the country. Very much a canal of contrasts, it begins in the centre of the Potteries passing through remote countryside and the Churnet Valley.
Tunstall Park

Address:

Victoria Park Road, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Telephone:
01782 234234

Email:

enquiries@stoke.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Park

Stoke-on-Trent

A grade II listed formal park.
Park Hall Country Park

Address:

Hulme Road, Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST3 5BH

Telephone:
01782 331889

Email:

parkhall.park@stoke.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Country Park

Stoke-on-Trent

Park Hall Country Park is a beautiful area perfect for walks and nature with lakes, sandstone canyons, woodland, heath-land, and fishing facilities. Park Hall Country Park is one of the city's most important natural sites. It was declared as…
The Roaches

Address:

Leek, Staffordshire

Telephone:
01889 880100

Email:

a.rhodes@staffs-wildlife.org.uk

Type

Type:

Viewpoint/Beauty Spot

Staffordshire

Impressive grit-stone edges and craggy rocks loved by walkers and climbers offering stunning panoramic views.
Barlaston Downs

Address:

Washdale Lane, Oulton Heath, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8US

Telephone:
01889 880160

Email:

downsbanks@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Country Park

Stone

Downs Banks is a great place to enjoy a walk or just to relax and enjoy the outdoors. A rock pillar stands at the highest point showing the local landmarks that can be seen on a clear day including The Long Mynd, Mow Cop Castle, the Wrekin, and the…
Whitfield Valley

Address:

Ford Green Road, Norton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Telephone:
01782 234234

Email:

enquiries@stoke.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Nature Reserve

Stoke-on-Trent

Whitfield Valley Local Nature Reserve covers a large area in Norton and Bradeley. The Ford Green Reed Bed at the south end of the site is one of Stoke-on-Trent's two Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It has been designated because large numbers…
Hem Heath Woods Nature Reserve

Address:

Hem Heath, Stoke On Trent, Staffs, ST4 8FR

Telephone:
01889 880100

Email:

marketing@staffs-wildlife.org.uk

Type

Type:

Nature Reserve

Stoke On Trent

Although often referred to as Hem Heath, this woodland encompasses four distinct woods - The Oaks, Newstead Wood, Newpark Plantation and Hem Heath. Whatever the title, there’s no doubt that this reserve provides a wonderful green oasis.
Biddulph Grange Country Park

Address:

Grange Road, Biddulph, Staffordshire, ST8 7TZ

Telephone:
01538 483741

Email:

tourism.services@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Country Park

Biddulph

Based on the Victorian theme of landscaped views combined with natural features, the 73 acre park offers woodlands, meadows, a large lake and ponds. Paths have been restored and new ones created to give easy access throughout the park.
Manifold Cycle Hire

Address:

Manifold Valley Visitor Centre, Hulme End, Staffordshire, SK17 0EZ

Type

Type:

Cycle Hire

Hulme End

Based at the end of the Manifold Track in the former ticket office of the Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway,alongside the Visitor Centre provides direct access to the Manifold Track. Car Park, picnic tables, cycle racks and fully accessible…
Biddulph Valley Way

Address:

Stoke-on-Trent to Congleton, Staffordshire

Telephone:
01538 483741

Email:

tourism.services@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Cycle Route

Stoke-on-Trent to Congleton

Following the former railway along the Biddulph Valley from Stoke-on-Trent to Congleton, the Way a flat surfaced path making it suitable for walkers, cyclists and horseriders
Apedale Community Country Park

Address:

Black Bank Road, Knutton, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST5 6AX

Telephone:
01782 632350

Email:

steve.spackman@staffordshire.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Country Park

Stoke on Trent

Once an Open Cast mining site this park now has 155 hectares of woodland, pools and pastureland. Though a young developing site it is an absolute haven for widlife.
Manifold Track

Address:

Hulme End to Waterhouses, Staffordshire, SK17 0EZ

Telephone:
01298 84679

Email:

tourism.services@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Cycle Route

Hulme End to Waterhouses

The Manifold Track, a favourite for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, follows the route of the disused Leek and Manifold Light Railway, through the Manifold and Hamps Valleys from Waterhouses to Hulme End.
Burslem Park

Address:

Burslem Park Lodge, Moorland Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 1EA

Telephone:
01782 234234

Email:

enquiries@stoke.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Park

Stoke-on-Trent

Burslem Park is a Grade II listed Victorian Park, restored in 2012 to its former glory.Rising gracefully from lake to pavilion via a winding path and formal terrace garden.

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