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You are here: Home > Ideas & Inspiration > Countryside
Countryside
Stoke-on-Trent is one of the greenest cities in the UK and we are very lucky to have buckets full of green space, beautiful parks, gardens, and open spaces including Westport Lake and Park Hall Country Park. What’s also great is that these green spaces are also connected by over 160km of cycle routes including many quiet off road paths, greenways, canal towpaths and river routes.
The city is also surrounded by stunning countryside too. Within Staffordshire you’ll find a National Park, areas of outstanding natural beauty, national forests and National Nature Reserves.
To the north east of Stoke-on-Trent lies the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands and the Peak District National Park. Here you will be blown away with amazing views from the craggy Roaches near Leek, and discover mystical legends at Lud's Church, a deep chasm penetrating the Millstone Grit bedrock near Gradbach.
Have fun on and around the reservoirs of Tittesworth and Rudyard - the surrounding breathtaking landscapes provide a perfect backdrop for sailing, kayaking, walking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits.
The Staffordshire Moorlands has some brilliant paths and trails for walking and cycling – check out the Manifold Valley Way which follows the route of the former Leek and Manifold Light Railway along sheltered valley bottoms through stunning scenery. The 8 mile route is tarmacked throughout, and with only a slight downhill gradient from north to south making it perfect for a family cycle ride! Along the route you can explore Thor’s cave and see the River Manifold disappear down a sink hole near Wetton Mill, to reappear some distance way, at Ilam!
To the south of the City, you can enjoy the open country parkland and secluded byways of South Staffordshire as well as the unspoilt ancient heather heathland of Cannock Chase, perfect for a relaxing walk or an exhilarating day exploring the midlands best mountain bike trails.
To the east lies the peaceful, leafy woodlands of the National Forest. The National Forest embraces 200 square miles of the Midlands, and is taking root in the heart of England across parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. It is transforming the landscape with the aim of linking the two ancient Forests of Charnwood on its Eastern fringe with Needwood Forest to its West.
To explore the countryside at a leisurely pace, why not explore Staffordshire’s sleepy canal network by piloting a narrowboat?
Whether you want exhilaration or relaxation, Stoke-on-Trent provides a great base to explore some of the UK’s most stunning countryside.
HighlightsPick Yours
Manifold Cycle Hire
Based at the end of the Manifold Track in the former ticket office of the Leek and Manifold Valley…
Longton Park (Queens Park)
Formal park with a lake, play area, football pitch, crown green bowls and fishing facilities.
The Trentham Estate
Home to Trentham Gardens, Trentham Shopping Village and Trentham Monkey Forest - this is a…
Park Hall Country Park
Park Hall Country Park is a beautiful area perfect for walks and nature with lakes, sandstone…
Hem Heath Woods Nature Reserve
Although often referred to as Hem Heath, this woodland encompasses four distinct woods - The Oaks,…
Barlaston Downs
Downs Banks is a great place to enjoy a walk or just to relax and enjoy the outdoors. A rock pillar…
Central Forest Park
Central Forest Park is a beautiful green space in the heart of the city. It provides facilities for…
Apedale Community Country Park
Once an Open Cast mining site this park now has 155 hectares of woodland, pools and pastureland.…
Manifold Track
The Manifold Track, a favourite for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, follows the route of the…
Westport Lake Visitor Centre
Westport Lake, created alongside the Trent and Mersey Canal is a nature reserve consisting of two…
Brown End Farm Cycle Hire
A friendly, family run cycle hire centre for all ages and sizes. Enjoy direct access to the scenic…
Hanley Park
Hanley Park is close to both the City Centre and the railway station. It is a fantastic example of…
Trent & Mersey Canal
The Trent and Mersey Canal is a 93.5-mile long “narrow canal” that runs through the East Midlands,…
Biddulph Grange Country Park
Based on the Victorian theme of landscaped views combined with natural features, the 73 acre …
Caldon Canal
Built in 1776, the Caldon Canal is widely seen as one of the most interesting waterways in the…
Biddulph Valley Way
Following the former railway along the Biddulph Valley from Stoke-on-Trent to…
Whitfield Valley
Whitfield Valley Local Nature Reserve covers a large area in Norton and Bradeley. The Ford Green…
- 1Manifold Cycle Hire
- 2Fenton Park
- 3Longton Park (Queens Park)
- 4The Trentham Estate
- 5Park Hall Country Park
- 6Hem Heath Woods Nature Reserve
- 7Barlaston Downs
- 8Central Forest Park
- 9Apedale Community Country Park
- 10Manifold Track
- 11Westport Lake Visitor Centre
- 12Brown End Farm Cycle Hire
- 13Hanley Park
- 14Trent & Mersey Canal
- 15Biddulph Grange Country Park
- 16Caldon Canal
- 17Biddulph Valley Way
- 18Whitfield Valley
