Walks from Penkridge

Impressive views across southern and central Staffordshire landscape. Walk traverses Staffordshire countryside from Penkridge to Stafford via the ruins of a neo-gothic manor on the site of Stafford's medieval castle.

Time: 3h–6h

Warnings: Busy road near Penkridge; care crossing main roads near Stafford.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Reverse direction: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Recommended: Mostly good surfaces with a mix of recorded and unrecorded but well-surfaced tracks, crossing Cannock Chase access land and plus field paths at Bednall. Stiles and some flooding where the metalled path follows the Rising Brook; all road crossings are safe though not all have pedestrian control. A road-free alternative that misses the inn at Slitting Mill; follows the Heart of England Way to Springslade Lodge; a short detour reaches the Visitor Centre.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 5h–9h30

2 lunch spots: cannock-chase — the Cannock Chase Visitor Centre, or the Springslade Lodge

Warnings: Stiles and possible cattle on the field paths at Bednall; the path alongside the Rising Brook can be flooded; a short challenging section through the access land.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 3h30–7h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A mix of residential streets, canal towpath and quiet country lanes and with a brief section of field. Mostly flat with a few stiles and steps. Largely surfaced underfoot. Briefly follows the Forest of Mercia Way.

Time: 2h30–5h

Warnings: A fifth urban. A short stretch of country lane bends with a fair amount of traffic and no pavement.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A varied route of towpath, lane and field. The Staffordshire Way section is excellent and well signposted; east of Brewood the paths are less used, with some unclear field lines, a ploughed arable field with no obvious path and an unsurfaced canal towpath a little muddy in places. Some steps and stiles. Follows the Staffordshire Way from Codsall to Brewood, then the Staffs & Worcs Canal towpath into Penkridge. Brewood, near the middle, has facilities.

Time: 4h–8h

Lunch: Facilities at Brewood near the middle; shops, pubs and cafes at both Codsall and Penkridge.

Warnings: Tinkers Lane is surprisingly busy, the worst road walking on the route. Horse pastures near Somerford have electric fencing and unclear paths; one gate may need climbing where a sheep farmer has tied it shut. Pelican crossings cross the busy A449.

Walk details: Slow Ways.