{"id":1010020,"date":"2025-09-18T20:30:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T19:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1010020"},"modified":"2025-09-18T20:30:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T19:30:12","slug":"the-caldon-canal-and-stanley-pool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1010020","title":{"rendered":"The Caldon Canal And Stanley Pool"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was hoping to tackle a hill in Wales today, but the weather forecast made England a better option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weather began with dampness in the air but it just about stayed dry, and brightened up by lunchtime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a 50 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to the village of Endon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is 7 miles with 630 feet of ascent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took me 3 hours 10 minutes to complete the walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several difficult stiles on this route which makes it tricky for larger dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 258.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked in a side road just off the A53, opposite The Plough (Toby Carvery), postcode ST9 9BE, What 3 Words \/\/\/rope.euphoric.remit<\/p>\n\n\n

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Caldon Canal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, I joined the towpath at Stanley Moss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some lovely homes alongside the pretty waterway, and I saw several barges moored along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Caldon Canal To Stanley Pool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At lock number 8 I turned away from the canal to my left rising in a narrow wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My route dropped down this hillside, over the course and into a small, pretty clough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is another lovely section of woodland en route to Bagnall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unfortunately, the approach to Bagnall was along a track much used by cattle heading to and from milking\/ Not very pleasant!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bagnall is a nice little dormitory village on the outskirts of The Potteries. After the village, I made my way down to Stanley Pool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The angling pitches are of no use whatsoever with current water levels, though the kids in canoes were having a great time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Above the footbridge the low water levels have revealed a stream (see header picture).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stanley Pool To Caldon Canal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Moving on, theses chickens were very inquisitive at Clough House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After the chickens, I liked this tree stump seat, though the fungus shows it has seen better days!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I stopped here for lunch on a welcome bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From here, it was a pleasant canalside walk back to Endon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And it’s clearly very popular with the Canada Geese here too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this area, and hope to return in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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