Join Us For A Walk
The cost of joining a walk is £1.50 for members of the Centre and £2.00 for visitors. It is not necessary to pay in advance for a walk – simply follow the joining instructions, meet at the designated car park, at least 10 minutes before the walk is due to start, and pay on the day.
However, to ensure that the organiser knows that you are coming and can let you know if there are any last minute changes of plan, you should always book in advance, giving your name and contact details. If you want to join us for lunch, it is often necessary to advise the organiser anyway, so that the pub can be forewarned. See walk description for details.
If you don’t feel up to the walk itself, but would like to join the walkers for lunch at the pub, just mark your booking as Lunch Only and check with the organiser about arrangements for letting them know your menu choices.
Select image to display walk details and book a place
2026 Walks programme
Stone Town – 4.8m – Wednesday, March 25th
The walk will start and finish at the Star Inn. We begin by passing under the road to Westbridge Park, and eventually join the Trent & Mersey Canal towpath, which we follow past the town, and up to Meaford Locks. Here, we pick up a footpath towards Outlanes and the Common Plot. The route then takes us around Alleynes High School, before crossing the A520 to Nanny Goat Lane and returning to The Star, via St Michaels churchyard.
There’s plenty of history associated with Stone, so we’ll pause to look at things of interest along the way… for example, we’ll take a look at the historic Joules brewery buildings, the new Crown Wharf, and the old buildings at the end of Mill Street (associated with milling flint for the potteries and flour for Hovis bread).
The route consists of towpaths and public footpaths, with just two well-maintained stiles (one with a gate alternative) and, of course, we’ll stop for a coffee break. Boots or strong shoes/trainers recommended.
Start: 9.45am at the Star Inn Car Park, to depart at 10.00am. As the pub won’t be open at this time, public toilets are located just around the corner, in Crown Street Car Park. We should be back for lunch by 1.00pm.
Sat Nav: ST15 8QW (nearest). Approach via the A34 (follow the signs to Stone). The entrance to the Star Inn car park is on Stafford Street (opposite M&S).
Lunch: The Star Inn, 21 Stafford Street, Stone, ST15 8QW. I’ll send out menus nearer the time, as they may vary from the standard Marston’s offering: marstonspubs.co.uk. If you wish to join us for lunch, then please let me have your menu choices by Monday 23rd March
Organiser: Nigel Holmes
2025 Walks programme
Christmas At The Rag 3m - Thursday 4th December
Our traditional Christmas stroll around Castle Ring, followed by Christmas lunch at the Rag is an excellent way to meet up with fellow members. The optional walk has some steady climbs, but no stiles. It begins with an uphill stretch along a quiet lane, before turning off into a wooded area. We then connect with the “Heart of England Way”, and follow this to Castle Ring to see the far-reaching views over the Staffordshire countryside.
Please wear suitable footwear as it will almost certainly be muddy. Slightly later than normal, we have been asked by the restaurant, to be back by 12.45 to be seated, and ready to eat by 13.15.
Start: 11.00. The Rag car Park.
Sat Nav: WS12 0QD.
Organiser: Phil Grainger/Sue Willis
Booking deadline: Friday 28th November.
Please note: To book this walk and lunch at The Rag, only use the Book The Rag button.
Weston, Salt, Sandon & Gayton - 4.5m - Wednesday 22nd October
This event is now closed
This circular walk starts and finishes at the Woolpack, Weston. There are plenty of parking spaces at the rear, and although the pub doesn’t open until midday, we hope that we will have access to the toilets for 15 minutes when we arrive.
The route does involve crossing a couple of busy roads, but there are safe crossing places in all cases. The majority of the route is on quiet roads and footpaths, and there are some stiles, but most are well maintained.
Leaving the village, we follow the A518 almost to Weston Hall, before carefully crossing the road to Willowmore Banks and on to Salt. As we approach Salt, you can see Pitts Column in the distance. Next, we cross a substantial, but disused, stone railway bridge over the former Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway, which served the Salt and Sandon station.
After crossing the River Trent, the Trent & Mersey Canal, and the A51, we join a part of the ‘Stone Circles’ route (and also part of the recent Sandon Walk). As we enter the wooded area, look up to your left to see Pitts Column (which is currently quite overgrown).
Our route then takes us on to Gayton Brook, which we cross and follow for a short distance, before heading to Gayton Church, then back to the Woolpack for lunch.
Meet: in the Woolpack car park at 9:45, ready to depart by 10:00.
Sat Nav: ST18 0JH – W3W: ///wing.stunt.dominate
Terrain: One small climb, seven stiles and some uneven paths, so boots/strong shoes recommended, but not essential.
Organiser: Nigel Holmes
Lunch: 13:00. Please let me have your menu choices by Friday 17th October. The menu can be found by clicking here
Downs Bank & Meaford – 5 m - Thursday 18th September
This event is now closed
This is a 5 mile walk from near Barlaston village green going over Downs Bank through woods. There is a 1km section on road with no pavement (care required!) before joining the Trent and Mersey Canal near Meaford.
No stiles, with a gentle ascent up Down’s Bank. Descent is marginally steeper but has steps.
The route then follows the canal towpath to the Plume and Feathers public house. Watch out for the kingfishers while walking along the canal path!
A short walk along the road (narrow pavement) leads back to the carport.
Start:- .10.00 at Barlaston Village Green carport, by the gates of The Upper House restaurant Sat Nav:- ST12 9AE Grid ref: – SJ 894383 what3words. loans.thin.brains)
Lunch:– The Upper House restaurant, The Green Barlaston at 13.00 Sat Nav:- ST12 9AE Please ensure that Bob has your menu choices by Tuesday 16th. If you plan to join us for lunch but not do the walk, you can park at the Upper House and plan to be there by about 12.30. You will be sent a menu with the confirmation email.
Organiser:- Bob Whitehouse
Seighford Lanes– 4 m – Thursday August 7th
We start and finish at The Hollybush, Seighford, where there is plenty of parking
The walk is in a figure of eight around the village, on country lanes, rough farm tracks and a footpath through pastures. The route is mainly flat, with slight hills and no stiles but can be muddy in parts after rain so stout walking shoes or boots with long trousers are recommended.
From the pub we head towards St Chad’s church. This was originally built around 1066, but following the collapse of the Norman tower, it was rebuilt in brick circa 1610. Inside are a lovely Norman chancel arch, a church warden’s chest dated 1610, a Jacobean pulpit, the Elizabethan alabaster tomb of William Bowyer and his wife Merry and some 15th century glass in the south window,
and proceed to cross the Millian brook and carry on to a track called Love Lane, adjacent to New Grange (dairy) Farm, which wends its way past the cow sheds, between fields and woods to meet another dirt track called Moor Lane. From here, a circular permissive path over land of the Seighford Settled Estates, takes us back to the pub via the ford and the churchyard.
This completes the first loop of the walk, where some may prefer to return to the pub for coffee and wait for the return of the rest of the group for lunch.
Those walking the second loop continue past the pub into Clanford Lane and cross part of the old airfield A little further on you can see lovely 15th century timber framed Clanford Hall Farm
We head back to the Stafford road adjacent to the village ‘kick about’ field. We cross to reach a wide grass verge and return to the pub about 12:30 to enjoy a well-earned drink before having lunch.
Meet: 9:45 for a 10:00 start at the Holly Bush, Main Rd, Seighford where toilets will be available Sat Nav: ST18 9PQ
Lunch: The Holly Bush at approximately 1.00. If you are joining us for lunch you should book directly with the pub by 2nd August, making sure to tell staff that you are with the walk group.
Organiser: Cathy Evans
The Trentham Barlaston Round – 4.5 m – Thursday July 17th
This event is now closed
The walk will begin at The Toby Carvery, Trentham where toilets are available. Following a short walk along-side the busy A5035, we enter Hem Heath woods, which is maintained by the North Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. Leaving on a concessionary path at the south side of the wood, we pass World of Wedgwood where loos are also available. There follows a gentle climb past the fishing pools and onto St Mary’s Drive, passing Barlaston Hall. A short walk along an avenue of poplars brings us to a kissing gate, from where we join the Stone Circles path and down to Wedgwood Drive. Here a short walk alongside the road takes us to the canal towpath and back to the Toby Inn for our lunch. There are only three stiles – all in good order.
Meet : Toby Carvery, Trentham Village in good time for a 10.15 start Sat Nav: ST4 8BU
Lunch: 13.15, Toby Carvery. If you are joining us for lunch, there is no need to give menu choices but you need to book by Monday 14th July. Menus, including lunch time deals, are available on the Carvery website To see it Click Here
Organiser : Terry James
Swynnerton, Beech & Tittensor Chase – 5.5 miles – Thursday 19th June
Note the revised date of this walk
This circular walk starts and finishes at the Fitzherbert Arms, Swynnerton. The car park is at the rear, and there’s more parking outside the nearby village hall (Early Lane), if the pub car park is full.
The route is a mixture of mainly quiet roads and footpaths. However, our departure, and return to the village, is via roads where vehicles could be travelling at speed, so it’s essential to walk on the right and in single file on these sections.
As we leave the village, you’ll see a Victorian water tower on the right, and, soon after, a view point on the left, looking towards the Wrekin, where we’ll pause briefly before continuing on the route of the Stone Circles Challenge. On reaching Beech, we take a sharp right down through Beech Dale passing caves where red Keuper sandstone was once mined, and over the M6 to the outskirts of Tittensor, where we’ll pause again for a short break and a group photo. At this point, we pick up the route of the Two Saints Way, around the edge of Cumberstone Wood (there are a couple of well maintained stiles at this point), then on to Tittensor Chase, before heading back for Lunch.
Meet: in the Fitzherbert Arms car park at 9:30, ready to depart by 9:45
Sat Nav: ST15 0RA – W3W: ///fields.level.riches
Terrain: Some uneven paths and verges, so boots/strong shoes recommended.
Lunch: 13:30 (approx.) Please let me have your menu choices by Tuesday 17th June
Organiser: Nigel Holmes
Note: I can’t offer a short walk option on this occasion; however, the pub opens from 8am, and it’s just across the road from Swynnerton Hall. The road past the hall and church is a public right of way, and there are also public footpaths through Swynnerton Park, if you’d like to explore a little before lunch.
Sandon Estate - 4.5 miles - 29th May
This event is now closed
Please note there are several stiles on this walk but all are in good order. Starting from the pub car park, we will walk to the canal towpath. This is a tricky section of road walking, so extra care is needed.
After approximately 1 mile we will leave the towpath at Salt Bridge and cross the A51, before entering the Sandon Estate, skirting Pitts Column and crossing several fields and meadows before a gentle climb to the Trentham Monument. Total ascent of 320ft.
The final section of the walk passes the moated house, through Sandon Church grounds and returns to the Dog & Doublet for a well-earned lunch. This is at approx. 1.00, but should be booked with the pub by Monday May 26th. Please join the walkers if you would like lunch only.
Meet: Dog & Doublet car park in good time for a 10.15 start. Toilets will be available at the start.
Sat Nav: ST18 0DJ W3W ///depths.slant.sympathy
Lunch: Dog & Doublet at 1.00 (approximately) If you are joining us for lunch please ensure menu choices are with me before midday on Monday 26th of May
Organiser: Terry James
Pirehill and Aston-by-Stone – 5.5 miles - Thursday 17th April
This event is now closed
Our starting point (and lunch afterwards) is at the Star Inn, where there is plenty of parking. The pub doesn’t open until midday, but public toilets are available just around the corner, in Crown Street Car Park.
We begin our walk by passing under Stafford Street, to Westbridge Park, before crossing the River Trent via the Old Walton Bridge to Cherryfields. Having viewed the local floodplain, we cross the A34 via the footbridge to Walton, then up on to Pirehill Lane.
After passing North Pirehill Farm, we take a footpath on the left, across the fields, with good views towards Aston-by-Stone. There are some stiles at this point on the route, but most also have gates that can be opened.
After passing Pirehill House (former fire HQ, now a training centre), we head down towards Aston-by-Stone, and St Saviours Churchyard, before joining the Trent and Mersey Canal towpath and returning to the Star for lunch.
Meet: in the Star Inn car park at 9:30, ready to depart by 9:45
Sat Nav: ST15 8QW – W3W: ///somewhere.absorb.images
Lunch: 13:00 (approx.) Please let me have your menu choices by Tuesday 15th April
Organiser: Nigel Holmes
Note: If you feel like a short walk (less than two miles), prior to the meal, then please meet us (around 12:00) at St Saviours Churchyard (ST15 0BJ – W3W: ///bluff.frail.hinders).
I can provide a lift back there (for 2 or 3 people) after the meal.