The Way for the Millenium

The Way for the Millennium and the Staffordshire Way span the length and width of the County. The routes explore some of Staffordshire's loveliest countryside and scenery as well as linking country parks, picnic places and many interesting towns and villages. To many people the Staffordshire Way and the Way for the Millennium are virtually "on the doorstep". Both routes are based wholly on public rights of way, paths on which access has been granted or canal towpaths and have been waymarked and signposted to ensure that they can be followed without difficulty in conjunction with the guide books.  Click here for information on how to order Guide Books and other publications.

The Way for the Millennium was established, as its name suggests, to mark the Millennium. The Way for the Millennium is approximately half the length of the Staffordshire Way and spans the width of the County for 65 kilometres from Newport in the west to Burton upon Trent in the east. Unlike the Staffordshire Way, the Way for the Millennium, which follows a disused railway line and canal towpaths for much of its length, has no steep gradients and is suitable for people of any age.

From Newport to Stafford, the Way for the Millennium follows the route of the Stafford to Newport Greenway, a disused railway line now owned and managed by Staffordshire County Council. The Greenway forms part of the former Wellington to Stafford railway, built in 1849, and was in use until 1964 when it was closed under the "Beeching Axe." With expansive views over the surrounding countryside, the Greenway provides a habitat for plants and wildlife. The Greenway is now one of the best areas in Staffordshire for butterflies because of the rich growth of plants and wildflowers. Beyond the county town of Stafford, the Way for the Millennium follow the towpaths of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire and the Trent and Mersey canals. At Great Haywood, where the two canals meet, the Way for the Millennium joins the Staffordshire Way. For those interested in natural history, it is well worth noting that canals also provide a sanctuary for a wide variety of plants and animals, some of which are becoming rare elsewhere. After leaving the canal towpath at Armitage, the Way for the Millennium follows public rights of way for 14 kilometres across arable farmland passing through the villages of Mavesyn Ridware, Pipe Ridware, Yoxall and Wychnor where it rejoins the towpath of the Trent and Mersey Canal. One of the great attractions of Staffordshire is the great diversity of its countryside. In contrast to the moorland hills of the north-east and rolling pastures of the centre and south is the level plain of the River Trent where it approaches the eastern edge of the County and journey's end.

For complete coverage of both routes you may wish to purchase the relevant guide books. The books provide notes on natural history and places of interest along the routes as well as detailed route maps and instructions. The guide books also indicate picnic sites, car parking and other facilities wherever available. The books may be purchased from bookshops, Tourist Information Centres or see the link above on how to order Guide Books and other publications.

Last Modified: 09/07/2008 10:31:09
Back to top