Eccleshall - Rough Guide To...

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
I'm planning a trip to Eccleshall en velo, probably on Monday.

My intended route is -> Doxey -> Seighford -> Ellenhall -> Eccleshall -> High Offley -> (tow path) Gnosall -> Isabel -> Stafford.

My questions are these -

a) Any problems envisaged with the above route?

and more importantly

b) Where to eat/drink in Eccleshall?

Looking at previous posts i'm getting good vibes about the Royal Oak, but also from the Star at Cop Mere - which is best (no fighting) or am i missing something better? Bearing in mind i will be very much on the casual side of smart/casual.

Also, i understand that the Castle is in private hands, but how close can you get to it on public byways, and what's the likelihood of blagging my way in? Insider tips as to charm levels/killer questions that may open doors appreciated.

Anything else worth doing/seeing in Eccleshall? Shocking really, but i've never been - any advice welcome.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
A resident told me only yesterday that the Royal Oak is now top-drawer.

Fred Adams, often to be found hanging around the end of the High Street, by the roundabout, used to live in the Castle Lodge at one time, and knows every square yard of land for ten miles, but saying that you know him won't necessarily open a lot of doors....
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
I was going to ask, but have delved deeply enough to find out that the prevalence of Off_ in the place names - ie High Offley, Bishop's Offley, Offleyhay etc - in the area stem from Offa
50px-Offa_king_of_Mercia_757_796_b.jpg
(he of Dyke fame) himself.

One thing i did know, that others may not, is that the Eccles_ part of Eccleshall shares the same root as Ecclesiastical - it was the Hall of the Bishop of Lichfield.

Here endeth the lesson.
 

Floss

Well-Known Forumite
The butchers shop is worth a visit, very well known for it's award winning pork pies!
 

speak65

Well-Known Forumite
Star at Cop Mere is a Titanic pub, so good beers, and they are used to men in tight shorts and muddy legs in there.
Nice pub, but never eaten there, but presume its the same type of fare as The Sun
 

Nicedave

Well-Known Forumite
speak65 said:
Star at Cop Mere is a Titanic pub, so good beers, and they are used to men in tight shorts and muddy legs in there.
Nice pub, but never eaten there, but presume its the same type of fare as The Sun
More used to tight men in muddy shorts sort of pub
 
My shop is in Eccleshall and the place is a common stop off for cyclists. You will be welcome in any of the pubs/ cafes there - no dress codes.

We are spoiled for choice when it comes to local brews....Slaters at the George, Joules at the Royal Oak and quite a selection (escapes me which ones) are on offer at The Bell.

I can highly recommend the Brie and Red Pepper sandwich from Macleods Deli!

I don't open on Mondays, but if anyone is around Wednesday's to Saturdays, you are more then welcome to stop off for free coffee and rest break!

Pollyanna Patchwork
12 High Street
Ecceshall
ST21 6BZ

Al
 

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
pollyannapatch said:
My shop is in Eccleshall and the place is a common stop off for cyclists. You will be welcome in any of the pubs/ cafes there - no dress codes.

We are spoiled for choice when it comes to local brews....Slaters at the George, Joules at the Royal Oak and quite a selection (escapes me which ones) are on offer at The Bell.

I can highly recommend the Brie and Red Pepper sandwich from Macleods Deli!

I don't open on Mondays, but if anyone is around Wednesday's to Saturdays, you are more then welcome to stop off for free coffee and rest break!

Pollyanna Patchwork
12 High Street
Ecceshall
ST21 6BZ

Al
My sister and her brood live in Badgers Croft just off the Stone Road,might pay her a visit and pop in!
 
Ha ha!

I work at the shop on weds-sat. If you turn up at another time I.e. Tuesday, you'll probably get a blank stare from the girl behind the counter. :)
 

Nicedave

Well-Known Forumite
pollyannapatch said:
My shop is in Eccleshall and the place is a common stop off for cyclists. You will be welcome in any of the pubs/ cafes there - no dress codes.



Pollyanna Patchwork
12 High Street
Ecceshall
ST21 6BZ

Al
What strange draw does your shop hold for cyclists? and what dress code do you have?
 
Nicedave said:
pollyannapatch said:
My shop is in Eccleshall and the place is a common stop off for cyclists. You will be welcome in any of the pubs/ cafes there - no dress codes.



Pollyanna Patchwork
12 High Street
Ecceshall
ST21 6BZ

Al
What strange draw does your shop hold for cyclists? and what dress code do you have?
None whatsoever! (although some form of clothing is appreciated :D) I sell fabric so probably not much use to most - just offering a coffee and a comfort break to those that would like it in the spirit of being nice to forumites.

Al
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
Don't forget to add these excellent sounding places to the Stafford foodie map - there's a link at the bottom of my signature...
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
Unfortunately, due to a potent combination of chronology, geography and cake, i eat a rather ropey baguette miles away from Eccleshall.

I can vouch for the coffee and cake at The Artisan though, and the Royal Oak is a fine pub with fine ale.
 

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
The Royal Oak is now a Joules pub, done out in the same style as the Rose and Crown, the meals are just you're usual pub grub, but they're pretty good.
 

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
Bob said:
The Royal Oak is now a Joules pub, the meals are just you're usual pub grub, but they're pretty good.
Their mussels are the best I've ever had! New Zealand green lips and a mighty fine cooking liqour.
 

Vespa-NL

Well-Known Forumite
Withnail said:
My intended route is -> Doxey -> Seighford -> Ellenhall -> Eccleshall -> High Offley -> (tow path) Gnosall -> Isabel ->Stafford.
I understand your route, but I think you mean Stafford Greenway and not Isabel trail.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Vespa-NL said:
Withnail said:
My intended route is -> Doxey -> Seighford -> Ellenhall -> Eccleshall -> High Offley -> (tow path) Gnosall -> Isabel ->Stafford.
I understand your route, but I think you mean Stafford Greenway and not Isabel trail.
Indeed, the Council claim that the Isabel Trail is merely an extension of the Greenway, the Greenway running from Stafford to Derrington, and beyond, or 'passed Gnosall', as they say in Council-speak...

+1 for (non-)local knowledge.


And am I the only person who regrets that Withnail does not have a keyboard with a faulty 'k'?.
Withnail said:
I did peek in through the window. :)
 

Vespa-NL

Well-Known Forumite
What the council states is correct. The stafford greenway was a project launched in 1991 between Stafford and Derrington/Haugton. In 1999 this became part of the way of the millenium, including the part between Derrington and Newport. The isabel trail between castletown and beaconside was opened much later and never has been part of the Stafford Greenway.
 
Top