Staffordshire Cakes & Ale Trail

Cycling Routes, Outdoor Attractions, Walking Routes

Length: 100 miles / 161km

Duration: TBC

Difficulty: Medium

Direction: Circular

Accessibility: TBC

Summary

The Staffordshire Cakes and Ale Trail is a challenging seven-section ramble through the one of England’s largest counties, Staffordshire. Beginning in the home of brewing in Burton-upon-Trent the route journeys along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Alrewas and then across country to Dr Johnson’s Lichfield with its glorious cathedral, before crossing the greenery of Cannock Chase to reach the ancient town of Penkridge. A pleasant cross-country route leads through thriving Gnosall to Eccleshall, once the seat of Bishops, and then goes north east via Wedgwood’s Barlaston to the bustling canal town of Stone.

Heading towards north Staffordshire, the trail proceeds through several attractive villages to the market town of Cheadle, where ‘Pugin’s gem’, St Giles’s church, dominates the skyline. Into the hills of Staffordshire Moorlands the trail goes through Alton and Denstone and on through Roman Rocester to the horse-racing mecca of Uttoxeter. A final southerly journey takes walkers through Tutbury, with its Norman castle that once housed Mary Queen of Scots, to finally return to Burton-upon-Trent.

The route of The Staffordshire Cakes and Ale Trail is given in detail, accompanied by diagrams and illustrated information about places passed through. The main features of each town are also described and illustrated, together with listings for Real Cakes, Real Ales and accommodation.

Highlights:

TBC

Starting Point:

SK242232 – Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire

End Point:

Facilities:

TBC

Connected Paths:

E Routes

E-Route 2 UK Section – Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dover

Paths Marked on OS mapping

Beacon Way Heart of England Way Limestone Way