9. Spend 72 hours in the Staffordshire Moorlands
To many people, the Staffordshire Moorlands is perhaps best known as the home of Alton Towers Resort, one of the UK’s leading theme parks and tourist attractions, with its own waterpark, crazy golf, and accommodation options as well as world-beating rollercoasters and rides.
It would be easy to fill a long weekend at the resort and never explore any of the other amazing attractions the district has to offer. But, if thrills and spills aren’t top of your agenda, read on to discover some of the other exciting adventures the Moorlands has to offer.
Day 1
On arriving in the Moorlands, take time to stretch your legs, refuel and kick-off your break with something unusual. A morning at the National Trust's Biddulph Grange Gardens definitely ticks that box, taking you on a magical journey through a garden that encapsulates the sense of exploration and adventure of the Victorian era. From Egyptian ‘pyramids’ to the Chinese garden, this is the perfect opportunity to meander through time and place.
Next door, Biddulph Country Park offers 70 acres to explore, while the town itself is a couple of minutes’ drive away for morning coffee, brunch or a wander around the town centre.
A scenic drive past Rudyard Lake takes you to Leek, which has a range of outdoor and indoor markets on regular days each week, as well as a great selection of independent shops in the bustling town centre.
Alternatively, head on to Cheadle - a hive of creative activity with independent craft shops dedicated to textile and paper arts and crafts.
Late afternoon is usually the ideal time to check in to your accommodation, so whether you’re camping, caravanning or glamping in a luxury yurt or lodge, staying at one of the district’s hotels, B&Bs, inns and rooms or taking the self-catering cottage option, take an hour to offload luggage and settle in.
An evening stroll around one of the many beautiful country parks in the district is a lovely way to end the day – and nearly all have pubs or restaurants nearby to finish off the evening.
Day 2
After a relaxing first night, today’s the day for action.
Walking, cycling and riding are all great ways to get around the Staffordshire Moorlands. Depending on your skills and experience, you can stroll along towpaths or marked trails like the Manifold Track, walk around Tittesworth Reservoir or take a more bespoke route along sections of the National Cycleway.
With more than 900 miles of public rights of way across the district, there are plenty of options to explore and some truly stunning hidden gems to discover.
The Roaches has unique features including Lud’s Church is a dramatic cleft in the rock shrouded in myth and legend, while the tale of Mermaid’s Pool is enough to send shivers down the spine.
The stepping stones at Dovedale on the border with Derbyshire, is a popular attraction, while the ruins of Throwley Old Hall are also worth a look.
Three Shires Head – where the borders of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire all meet – is also a fantastic destination for experienced walkers.
Thor’s Cave at Wetton, Morridge Side, Ipstones Edge, Ramshaw Rocks and Hen Cloud all offer panoramic views, with landmarks such as Jodrell Bank in Cheshire and the Wrekin in Shropshire visible on clear days.
Chrome Hill – known as the Dragon’s Back – is a spectacular walk that embodies the spirit of the Peak District and is just a stone’s throw from Longnor, where the cobbled market square is home to a café, pub, craft centre and chip shop.
If walking’s not your thing, check out activity centres like Madrenaline for segway, sphering, archery and axe throwing, or spend an afternoon with an alpaca at Oak Moor Farm or Wetley Moor Alpacas.
Another must-see for animal-lovers is Peak Wildlife Park, where conservation, education and entertainment blend into an unforgettable experience, with walkthrough enclosures, animal encounters and expert talks.
If you prefer to explore in comfort, the Churnet Valley Railway, Foxfield Steam Railway and Rudyard Lake Railway are all excellent options for a journey through glorious countryside aboard a heritage mode of transport.
Alternatively, on selected days, you can drift along the canal network with Willow Cruises.
After a busy day, take time to relax over a delicious meal and recount your adventures. If you’re thinking fireside chats and hearty craft ales, head out to the villages where traditional country pubs offer fantastic food and a welcoming atmosphere.
Or to keep the excitement going, take a table at one of the district’s premier restaurants, or town centre eateries, where vibrant and creative chefs use locally sourced ingredients to bring you something sensational.
Finish the evening with a drive out to some of the remote parts of the Moorlands and spend some time gazing up at the stars.
Day 3
While you may need to spend the first part of the morning packing up, it’s not time to check-out of the Moorlands just yet!
After two days of exploration and action, it’s time for some rest and relaxation before you begin the journey home.
Connect with nature by spending time at some of the special sites in the Moorlands that are preserved and managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the RSPB or National Trust.
Embrace the peace and simply observe, listen and feel the natural energy around you.
Near Biddulph, Marshes Hill Common is all that’s left of a once extensive heathland that covered the area. Visitors can enter for free and enjoy a short circular habitat trail or begin the longer six-mile Brown Edge Green Vale self-guided walk. Wildlife spotted here includes linnets and meadow pipits, green hairstreak butterflies and emperor moths.
Not far from Leek is the spectacularly wild Black Brook nature reserve, where the call of curlews heralds the spring and visitors can walk up to Gib Torr rocks for wonderful views across the moorland landscape.
Short-eared owls nest on the site, where moorland plants such as heather, bilberry and cotton grass create ideal habitats for endangered upland birds, and where, occasionally, lucky visitors might just spot a rare red grouse.
In the very heart of Cheadle, a 1.25km stretch of the Cecilly Brook is a natural oasis that is home to rare water voles.
With wildflower meadows and mature hedges, the reserve is a peaceful place to walk, with a pathway that’s accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Weekday visitors can stroll along the high streets and take their pick of tempting cafes, tea rooms and coffee shops, while lunchtimes on Sundays are best spent enjoying a roast dinner at a pub or restaurant.
Take time for yourself with an afternoon of pure indulgence. Little Luxuries Health & Beauty & Becalmed in Leek, The Elite Retreat in Biddulph, Peak Relaxation at Calton, Essential Beauty in Cheadle and the Mill Wheel Spa at Blackshaw Moor, are among the options available for a pamper session.
Round off your stay with afternoon tea at one of the many cafes, tea rooms and coffee shops dotted around the district, before heading home with a suitcase full of magical moorlands memories.