Cycle routes in Stafford recommendations?

[Flibbertigibbet]

Can anyone recommend any good cycle routes around Stafford. We regularly use the old railway line between Stafford and Gnosall but would like to explore a bit more, especially if there are some good pubs along the way!

Does anyone know of a route to the hollybush at salt without having to cycle down the weston or sandon road?

Thanks!

 

[Gramaisc]

You can get to Salt and back without serious inclines, by going up Marston Road and then Common Road, across Beaconside and turning right just before Marston Church*, then turn right again at the end to Enson, across the Sandon Road and, in a mile or so, you'll enter Salt by the church, bear left there and it's a couple of hundred yards to the Holly Bush on the right.

It's a gentle downhill almost all the way, and the reverse on the way back, obviously - and little traffic or noise to contend with.

* well worth carrying on and having a look round..

 

[Flibbertigibbet]

Ok will have an explore, thank you!

 

[Withnail]

The route along the Sow, then under the railway to the Penk is a good one if you've not done it - it's the one with a 5 on it here www.staffordshire.gov.uk/transport/walkingandcycling/maps/issue5-staffordtowncentre.pdf .

Then you can follow the canal either Milfordwards or Hazelstrinewards to create a loop back.

(further afield map here - http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/transport/walkingandcycling/maps/issue5-staffordboroughruralarea.pdf )

 

[Gramaisc]

It's an easy enough ride through Marston and Enson to Salt, although a bit longer than the more direct routes. It can sometimes get a bit farmyardy by the turn in Enson, otherwise there's no real difficulty..

If only the old Uttoxeter line hadn't been so obstructed after Beaconside, then we could have had a very nice direct cycle route there for very little cost..

 

[Thehooperman]

You can get to Salt and back without serious inclines, by going up Marston Road and then Common Road, across Beaconside and turning right just before Marston Church*, then turn right again at the end to Enson, across the Sandon Road and, in a mile or so, you'll enter Salt by the church, bear left there and it's a couple of hundred yards to the Holly Bush on the right.

It's a gentle downhill almost all the way, and the reverse on the way back, obviously - and little traffic or noise to contend with.

* well worth carrying on and having a look round..

You could ride along the old railway line from near Sainsburys to the Haybarn onto Beaconside and then join the route Gramaisc has suggested.

 

[tek-monkey]

So, about the good pubs along the way....

 

[Gramaisc]

So, about the good pubs along the way....

Greyhound, Crosses, Joiner's, Hop Pole, Tap, Arms - dump the bikes and get a taxi home..

 

[Fordian]

I dont know whether this is more of a walking route, but going along the canal from the Clifford Arms that leads down towards Baswich and eventually the Radford Bank inn is quite nice on a summers day, especially if you were to start in Brocton or Milford and head up through Shugborough

 

[Gramaisc]

I dont know whether this is more of a walking route, but going along the canal from the Clifford Arms that leads down towards Baswich and eventually the Radford Bank inn is quite nice on a summers day, especially if you were to start in Brocton or Milford and head up through Shugborough

That's cyclable, with care, although you technically require a permit from British Waterways to cycle on a tow-path, I believe. It's obtainable free and is probably only issued with the intention to remove it from people who shouldn't have one, so I wouldn't worry too much..

 

[monkey bidness]

You can get the permit online - gratis - just fill in your details and print it out...simples

 

[Gramaisc]

You can get the permit online - gratis - just fill in your details and print it out...simples

Indeed - http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling/permit

 

[Fordian]

Well there are you then and it's just as good for a days walking in the sun