Wheaton Aston to Lapley
Please note: We are currently reviewing our walks publications, please refer to the text on the webpage for the most current route details we have. If you note any differences when following the route, please let us know by emailing: rightsofway@staffordshire.gov.uk
The walk begins in the archetypal English village, Wheaton Aston, and goes across some of the finest farmland in the county. The walk continues through the beautiful splendour of Lapley village, passing the rolling fields and ending with a walk along the historic 'Shroppie' canal.
Distance:
7.5 miles.
Duration:
3 ½ - 4 hours
Terrain:
Easy farmland tracks and lanes.
Parking:
The Village Hall car park, Hawthorne Road in Wheaton Aston
Refreshments:
The Hartley Arms, Wheaton Aston
Map:
OS Explorer 242
Bus Route:
Stafford - Wheaton Aston No. 878.
- Park in the Village Hall car park in Hawthorne Road.
- Walk down Hawthorne Road to the main Wheaton Aston through road. Turn right and follow the road passing The Hartley Arms.
- After crossing Tavern Bridge take the lane that veers left passing Fern Cottage on the right. Walk for approximately half a mile until meeting a road junction.
- Cross the road and take the footpath opposite just to the right of a metal gate. Cross the stile into a large field and walk round the left hand boundary until you meet a stile by the road. Cross over the stile.
- Turn left and follow lane to the hamlet of Longnor. Opposite Longnor Hall Farm take a bridleway on the left.
- Go through the gate and follow middle track between fields. Go through another gate directly opposite. Continue along track and go through a third gate on your right as the tracks veers left.
- Head half left across the field aiming for a bridle gate in the middle of a hedge boundary. Go through gate into a secluded lane and turn right to follow it to a road. (Please note: the Lane can become flooded in winter).
- Take the road directly ahead and follow it for a mile into the hamlet of Mitton. Pass an old cottage on your right and turn right into a track to join The Staffordshire Way.
- Follow the track for a quarter of a mile up a large field and pass through a gap in the top hedge. Follow the left hedge down to a corner of the field where you find a footbridge over a stream on your right. Cross the stream.
- Turn left and then right to walk on a boardwalk through Bickford Meadows Nature Reserve. At the end pass through a bridle gate and follow the field boundary around to a bridlegate on your right.
- Go through the gate and cross to another gate and follow hedge to another gate on your left. Turn right along field boundary and continue, passing Longnor Farm on your right.
- At Longnor Farm turn left to go through a large metal gate and walk up the field with the hedge on your left to meet a bridle gate beside a large metal field gate. Go through gate and walk along field edge passing under a large oak tree with the hedge on your right.
- Follow field edge as it curves left to reach a large gap on your right. Go through the gap and turn left until you reach another large gap. Turn right and walk along field edge with hedge on your right until you reach another bridle gate.
- Go through the gate and with the hedge still on your right walk up the field to meet a second bridle gate. Go through gate into field passing a house on your right and continue down into a dip and find a stile in the top right hand corner which is hidden among trees. Climb the stile into the churchyard of All Saints Church and walk to the left of the church to join the road.
- Turn left along the road and when it bends left take the footpath on the right and following the left hand hedge descend the field to a gap in the corner.
- Turn right along the road and then cross to take a farm track. After half a mile go straight through the farmyard and bear left to a track between hedgerows.
- Turn right and walk down to join the towpath. Walk along the towpath before leaving it at the next bridge.
- Cross the bridge and then two bridle gates onto a farm track. Cross the farm track and then through a bridle gate and go straight across the field, between two ponds to another bridle gate.
- Go through the gate and walk diagonally right across the field heading toward a large farm. Go through the gateway and turn right up the track
- Continue up the track and then the metalled road and head back toward the church at Wheaton Aston. Turn right just before the church and return to the car park.
Downloadable version
A downloadable version of the original printed leaflet including a map of the route, is available below. Please note that the text above is the most up to date route details we have.