Best walks near Stafford by train
Staffordshire · West Midlands of England | Walks by foot
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in West Midlands of England and plan your next day of green.
Lichfield Trent Valley Station Circular via Whittington Heath (Staffordshire)
15m direct from Stafford.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–9h.
Golf club, heath, woodland, and Heart of England Way. MOD firing range — check access.
Lunch stops: the Tame Otter (2h–3h30 in), or the Red Lion (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Horse and Jockey, or the Turnpike.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Atherstone Station Circular via Sheepy Magna (Warwickshire)
30m direct from Stafford.
20km. Gentle ascents. 5h–9h.
Canal and villages.
Lunch stops: San Giovanni (3h–4h30 in), or the Black Horse (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Blue Lion, the Blue Boar Inn, the Old Swan, the Hat and Beaver, the White Horse, the Kings Head Pub, or the Clock.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Nuneaton Station Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
45m direct from Stafford.
18km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
Parks, river, country park, and canal.
Lunch stop: the Stag and Pheasant (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lord Hop, the Felix Holt, the George Eliot Hotel, the Black Swan In Hand, or the Silk Mill.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Derby Station Circular via Darley Abbey (Derbyshire)
45m from Stafford, with one change.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–9h.
Parks, river, and heritage trail.
Highlights: Museum of Making and Darley Park.
Lunch stops in Darley Park (1h–2h in): Darley Park Terrace Cafe, the Little Darley in the Park, the Abbey Inn, or the Darleys. Other lunch stops: the Joiners Arms (3h–5h in), or the Orangery Café (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Victoria Inn, or the Waterfall.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Derby Station to Long Eaton Station (Derbyshire)
45m from Stafford, with one change.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h.
Waterways — River Derwent, Derby & Sandiacre Canal, and Erewash Canal.
Lunch stops: Canal Cottage Cafe (2h30–4h30 in), or the Navigation (3h–5h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: Peking House, or the Sawley Junction.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Duffield Station to Derby Station (Derbyshire)
45m from Stafford, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 17km. 4h30–8h.
Repurposed railway track along the Great Northern Greenway.
Lunch stops: the Bell and Harp (1h–1h30 in), or the Three Horseshoes (2h–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Waterfall, or the Merry Widows.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Atherstone Station Circular via Mancetter Quarry (Warwickshire)
30m direct from Stafford.
14km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h30.
Woodlands, country park, and valley views.
Lunch stops in Ridge Lane (2h30–4h in): the Church End Brewery Tap Room, or the White Hart. Other lunch stop: the Kings Head Pub (2h30–4h in).
Wednesbury Great Western Street Station to Wolverhampton Station
15m direct from Stafford.
9km.
Largely paved paths, pavements and canal towpaths through residential streets, industrial estates, a nature reserve, and a former-railway path. Route follows a section of the Monarch’s Way long-distance footpath. Well-served public transport returns to the start. Footpath across wasteland between Walsall and Wolverhampton is ill-kempt with fly-tipping; gap-in-fence section near the mound is tricky to navigate.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Water Orton Station to Tamworth Station (Warwickshire)
30m direct from Stafford.
18km.
Mostly on canal towpaths. Through Anglo-Saxon Mercia's territory, passing sites associated with Queen Æthelflæd. Heavy traffic on narrow ancient bridge across River Tame near Water Orton.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Congleton Station to Kidsgrove Station (Cheshire)
30m direct from Stafford.
11km.
Spectacular views across Cheshire plain. Countryside ridge walk with gritstone outcrops, woodland paths, and fields. Mow Cop is where Primitive Methodism began in 1800 with mass prayer meetings by Hugh Bourne and William Clowes. Stiles and steps; steep downhill sections.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Birmingham New Street Station to Kings Norton Station (Warwickshire)
30m direct from Stafford.
10km.
Canal towpath (Worcester and Birmingham Canal). Kings Norton was site of a 1642 English Civil War battle.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Birmingham New Street Station to Bournville Station (Warwickshire)
30m direct from Stafford.
8km.
Canal towpath, urban paths, and suburban streets. Walk along the Worcester-Birmingham Canal from city centre to Cadbury's model village.