Introduction
I was hoping to tackle a hill in Wales today, but the weather forecast made England a better option.
The area just to the north east of Stoke-on-Trent is one I have never explored, so I created a route from the OS Map, not quite knowing what to expect.
The weather began with dampness in the air but it just about stayed dry, and brightened up by lunchtime.
It’s a 50 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to the village of Endon.
The walk is 7 miles with 630 feet of ascent.
It took me 3 hours 10 minutes to complete the walk.
There are several difficult stiles on this route which makes it tricky for larger dogs.
I walked in an anticlockwise direction.
The walk is on OS Explorer Map 258.
I parked in a side road just off the A53, opposite The Plough (Toby Carvery), postcode ST9 9BE, What 3 Words ///rope.euphoric.remit
Caldon Canal
The canal was built in the 18th century to carry limestone from the quarries at Cauldon Low to Stoke-on-Trent. Its eastern terminus is now at Froghall. It meets the Trent And Mersey Canal at Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent. I have previously walked sections around The Churnet Valley and Deep Hayes Country Park, but nowhere nearer to Stoke-on Trent.
Today, I joined the towpath at Stanley Moss.
There are some lovely homes alongside the pretty waterway, and I saw several barges moored along the way.
Caldon Canal To Stanley Pool
At lock number 8 I turned away from the canal to my left rising in a narrow wood.
The wood borders Greenway Hall Golf Club which looks well worth a visit, with very reasonable visitor green fees. This elevated tee looks particularly inviting!
My route dropped down this hillside, over the course and into a small, pretty clough.
There is another lovely section of woodland en route to Bagnall.
Unfortunately, the approach to Bagnall was along a track much used by cattle heading to and from milking/ Not very pleasant!
Bagnall is a nice little dormitory village on the outskirts of The Potteries. After the village, I made my way down to Stanley Pool.
The angling pitches are of no use whatsoever with current water levels, though the kids in canoes were having a great time.
Above the footbridge the low water levels have revealed a stream (see header picture).
Stanley Pool To Caldon Canal
Moving on, theses chickens were very inquisitive at Clough House.
After the chickens, I liked this tree stump seat, though the fungus shows it has seen better days!
The next section involved farm fields and a road that were not particularly interesting until this view appeared near Park Farm! The ubiquitous Sutton mast and Shutlingsloe are visible on the horizon.
The cattle in the foreground were clearly on my route at Little Hollinhurst, so I continued along Park Lane and took the next path to the right to reach the canal at bridge 34.
I stopped here for lunch on a welcome bench.
From here, it was a pleasant canalside walk back to Endon.
And it’s clearly very popular with the Canada Geese here too!
I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this area, and hope to return in the future.
And Finally….
I’ve been listening to some new releases this week, This track is “Curses And Spit” from the album Songs From The Spine by The Royston Club.