Where shall I go tomorrow?

[Goldilox]

It's my day off tomorrow and I'd like to combine a bit of fresh air and exercise with a play with my new camera, so where's a good place to take some pictures that's around ten miles cycle from Stafford?

Last week I went up to Chartley Castle via Tixall, which fitted the bill nicely...

 

[wmrcomputers]

How about some canal photography in Stone? Or go to Amerton farm and get some animal shots and some of their steam train?
It's hard to suggest anywhere decent really if you're restricted to around 10 miles

 

[Goldilox]

Well, at the risk of wearing myself out I could push it to 15, or alternatively stop at several locations closer to town...

 

[Withnail]

How about the church at Lapley? Lovely that is.

You could go via Derrington Millenium Green where, though it might be a bit too late, you could see some orchids like this -

- and Church Eaton.

The Chase is looking fabulous at the moment as well.

 

[Goldilox]

Google maps suggested down the canal to Penkridge and the B5012 to Lapley which looks pleasant too

 

[proactive]

How about a ride up to Aqualate Mere. Very nice round there.

 

[Lucy]

You could do a loop then, back from Lapley through Church Eaton to Haughton, then along the railway track back into town.

 

[Perrier]

cannock chase .... heard its good for dog pics

 

[proactive]

cannock chase .... heard its good for dog pics

As indeed is Cannock...

 

[Withnail]

Google maps suggested down the canal to Penkridge and the B5012 to Lapley which looks pleasant too

As Lucy says, i'd suggest doing it the other way round - railway line to Haughton -> Church Eaton -> Lapley -> Penkridge -> Stafford - less climbing for a start.

The towpath is a bit overgrown between Acton Trussell and Hazelstrine Bridge, and i dare say it is also so between Hazelstrine and Radford, but is doable if you don't mind being nettle-stung. Or you could wear trousers, of course.

 

[Perrier]

As indeed is Cannock...

... sorry , just had to

 

[Withnail]

Wait, Lucy didn't say that at all.

Still a better way to do it, though.

 

[Goldilox]

Went to Lapley yesterday & then back via the canal towpath (& an ice cream in Penkridge). I can attest the Withnail was right and it is a very picturesque church.

Thank you for the advice so far, and please do keep the suggestions for photographic locations in cycling distance coming - I'd rather hoped to do this about once a week as long as the weather lasts