Located in the peaceful village of Chartley in Stafford, Granary Farm Caravan Site is close to numerous walking routes across the Staffordshire landscape. Below is a small sample of the walks that are available within 10 miles of the camp site.
Trails at Cannock Chase Forest
With a children’s play area, Go Ape, orienteering trails and even a dog activity trail, you will not be stuck for something to do at Cannock Chase, located north of Birmingham.
We have a range of woodland walks to suit all ages and abilities, and for those wanting to explore the forest on two wheels. Make sure to check out our cycling trails for some of the best family and mountain biking opportunities in the Midlands.
Hire a bike from our cycle centre, bring a picnic or lunch at the café. Come rain or shine, you will all go home having had a fantastic forest adventure.
Ladyhill Trail – 1 mile
An easy, mostly flat, wide circular trail, appropriate for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Includes the popular Fairy Trees, Gruffalo Sculpture, educational trails, shelter building, plus open space for play, games, BBQ’s and picnics.
Fairoak Trail – 2.5 miles
An easy circular trail that takes in the magnificent Fairoak Valley and pools, a rich and important habitat that is home to many wildlife species. The area has an interesting coal mining past and was the location of a colliery in the late 19th century. This trail also provides access to the Cannock Chase Visitor Centre at Marquis Drive and to the blue graded Sherbrook Trail.
Sherbrook Trail – Pepper Slade Loop – 7.5 miles or Abraham’s Valley Loop – 12.5 miles
This trail starts by following the Fairoak Trail, then takes in the picturesque Sherbrook Valley with its mixture of woodlands and open heathland. Two loops are available, the shorter Pepper Slade loop and the longer Abraham’s Valley loop which visits the Stepping Stones and Abrahams Valley.
Walking Routes at Shugborough Estate
At Shugborough Estate, the walled garden, formal gardens, pleasure grounds, arboretum and play area are open for you to explore. Dogs are welcome on leads in all of these spaces.
Park Farm café and Mansion Tearoom are open with a selection of drinks, sandwiches, cakes, snacks and ice cream. The Mansion shop is open for gifts, souvenirs and plants.
Monuments Stroll – Approximately 0.7 miles
Take in most of the monuments on a stroll around the formal gardens – passing the Chinese House, Doric Temple, Cat’s Monument, Essex Bridge and the Ruin. Start at the front of the Mansion and follow the paths. There are lots of routes through the gardens and for the most part these are level and hard-surfaced. This walk is good for pushchairs and wheelchairs with lots of places to stop and rest.
Stafford Plantation Walk – Approximately 2 miles
If you are feeling more adventurous head out to the Stafford Plantation. There are lots of paths to explore, and for those of you who have an OS map, journey further into the Satnall Hills. Paths in the plantation vary in surface and can be muddy. There is some uphill work, and we recommend suitable footwear for the terrain.
Essex Bridge and Great Haywood Cliffs – Approximately 5 miles
If you are looking to explore some of the quieter areas of the estate, head over Essex Bridge, turn right and follow the paths up to Great Haywood cliffs. Explore open parkland; looking over to Hadrian’s Arch; dense woodland and hidden cliffs. Path surfaces vary between grazed grassland and uneven muddy paths.
Walking Routes at Blithfield Reservoir
Whether you just fancy a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, Blithfield Reservoir has something for everyone. By providing walks and viewing facilities, we hope visitors will share in seeing the varied range of wildlife which can be found here.
There are three walks open to the public, taking in a wildflower meadow, ancient semi-natural woodland and the reservoir shoreline. The walks vary in length, including one which is partly suitable for wheelchairs, and were provided with advice and assistance from Natural England and the West Midland Bird Club.
During the walks you will have the opportunity to watch birds from hides or see them dining at feeding stations. Facilities include free parking and a toilet. You may take dogs, but please keep them on leads and clear up after them. Opening times are subject to alteration depending on time of year.
Blue Route – Approximate time to walk 40 minutes
This walk is partially suitable for wheelchairs.
The Blue Route will take you through a mix of broadleaf and coniferous woodland including English oak, sycamore, maple, birch, Scots pine and larch.
Listen for the tapping of woodpeckers or the cry of a pheasant. In the winter, redwings, fieldfares, siskins and occasionally crossbills are to be found here.
Wander to The Dell at the far end of the walk, and you will find a bird feeder station and hide where you can spend time watching the many varieties of birds.
Red Route – Approximate time to walk one hour
The Red Route begins in broadleaf woodland and traverses a field before crossing Tad Brook Bridge over the Tad Arm, which is one of the main feeds into the reservoir.
From there the boardwalk goes through wetland, which has become home to more than 50 types of plant such as tufted vetch, meadowsweet and bird’s-foot-trefoil as well as being a popular haunt for colourful dragonflies, thanks to specially created dragonfly ponds.
At the end of the boardwalk you enter Broompit Plantation, where another bird feeder station and hide are to be found, along with the remains of the old marl pits used in building the reservoir dam.
Springtime visitors will also be greeted with the sight of a natural blue carpet in the bluebell wood.
Yellow Route – Approximate time to walk 90 minutes
The Yellow Route continues on from the Blue Route as it crosses the drive at the stone trough. The walk cuts through a wildflower meadow before entering Stansley Wood, which is carpeted with bluebells in spring – choose the path through the trees for the best view.
The scenery changes dramatically past the ‘petrified pond’ as the reservoir comes into sight. Here walkers are directed into a field, as the reservoir track has no public access. On reaching Beech Tree Point, there is a bird hide and toilet. Re-entering Stansley Wood, the path returns to the wildflower meadow.
At the stone trough, the second half of the Blue Route can be used to return to the car park along the wheelchair-friendly path (via the Dell hide and feeder station) adding 20 minutes.