The varied landscapes of the Staffordshire Moorlands offer outdoor spaces for all, from accessible pathways through formal gardens to landscaped splendour, sweeping vistas and surprising features.
Biddulph Grange Garden
Biddulph Grange Garden is a Victorian wonder created by James Bateman to house his collection of plants from around the world. Discover the Chinese garden, Cheshire Cottage and Himalayan Glen, or stroll along the stunning Dahlia Walk.
Country Parks
With woodland, open meadows, a large lake and ponds, Biddulph Grange Country Park provides a chance to explore an authentic historic landscape over 73 acres, as laid out by its early 20th century creators, complete with restored boathouse and hydroelectric power.
Visitors can fish the lake or enjoy birdwatching with regular sightings of the great spotted woodpecker, jay, nuthatch and chiffchaff.
Encompassing Cumberledge Pool, Park Pool and Hayes Pool, Deep Hayes Country Park is a former reservoir built in 1848 by the Staffordshire Potteries Waterworks Company. In 1979, problems with the structure of the dam resulted in the creation of a country park featuring the three pools surrounded by woodland and meadows.
Officially recognised as one of the best green spaces in the country, Ladderedge County Park is a recipient of the international quality mark - a Green Flag Award® with diverse habitats across 70 acres including ancient woodland and wildflower meadows as well as the River Churnet and Cauldon feeder canal.
For those who like to explore off the beaten track there’s 479 acres waiting to be discovered at Consall Woods. As you take a stroll along one of the many trails, through Consall Nature Park – a heady mix of mature woodland, flower-filled pasture and deep pools - the only sounds you’re likely to hear are birdsong and the occasional chuff-chuff of the nearby Churnet Valley Railway.
Built in 1827 to supply water to the Caldon Canal, Knypersley Reservoir was designed by Thomas Telford and constructed by waterways engineer James Potter and is now part of the Caldon Canal Group which also includes Stanley Pool and Rudyard Lake.
Picturesque walking trails, lush woodlands and tranquil water offer peaceful recreation and scenic beauty at Greenway Bank Country Park. Originally part of the expansive Biddulph Grange Estate, the parkland has been a cherished natural reserve for centuries, enhanced by the Victorian-era stone-lined boating lake, which remains a focal point.
The ancient heathland landscape of Wetley Moor Common spans 70 hectares that is home to whitethroat, linnet, reed bunting meadow pipits and the rarer grasshopper warblers. With a long history of mining and quarrying dating from 1698 up to the more recently dug bell pits during the 1920's, this lowland heath is traversed by marked walks including the ancient packhorse route along the old Saltway.
Dimmingsdale – the name alone is enough to conjure up images of an enchanting and beautiful valley. No wonder it is affectionately known as Little Switzerland and Fairy Glen. It truly is one of Staffordshire’s hidden gems.
Water is never far away here, and its trickling streams, placid lakes and tumbling waterfalls provide the perfect habitat for herons, kingfishers, dragonflies and toads. Throw in a mix of myth and legends and the scene is set for the perfect day out.
Further down the valley and connected by a disused railway track - now part of the Churnet Valley Way - is the quaint village of Oakamoor. Fairies can be discovered here in the walks though Star Wood.
All paths are accessible and are lined with formal landscaping showing seasonal flower displays and specimen trees.
Dating back to 1846, Hales Hall Pool is a manmade fishing lake and now a local Nature Reserve. The 1.76-hectare lake is connected to Hales Hall, built in 1712 and is home to a variety of species including plants and birds such as kingfisher, heron and great crested grebes.
A 1.25km nature reserve following Cecilly Brook in Cheadle is home to water voles & wildflower meadows. Cecilly Brook is one of the most important sites for water voles in Staffordshire. Ancient, flower-rich meadows occur at the edge of the brook near Thorley Drive. Mature hawthorn and blackthorn hedges surround the fields with dog rose, elder and hazel. Ivy and honeysuckle provide rich nectar sources for insects
Better known for thrills and spills, the gardens at Alton Towers are a haven of peace and quiet, dotted with follies and criss-crossed by accessible pathways that thread through the elegant gardens, dotted with incredible features including sculptures and follies.
Take a stroll or a bike ride along the Manifold Trail and it’s not hard to imagine the track in its former heyday as the Leek and Manifold Light Railway, the carriages meandering their way through the limestone gorge, steam coursing through the air behind them.
It may no longer see passengers by train, but this deep limestone valley carved between steeply wooded slopes and towering rock pinnacles attracts lovers of the great outdoors the same today as it ever has.
From towpaths and walkways to steam trains and barges, the Churnet Valley combines serenity and heritage, with options to explore on foot and return in comfort, whether aboard the train or slowly drifting along the canal.
A key route connecting many of the natural spaces around the Moorlands, the valley is home to a variety of wildlife, with traces of its industrial past just waiting to be discovered.
RSPB Coombes Valley is a deeply wooded, steep sided nature reserve of towering oaks rising out of Coombes Brook. The area is teeming with wildlife, and three nature trails will help you explore this naturally beautiful landscape of meadows and woods.
