Abbyox two

Verified Slow Way

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Walked from Yoxall to Abbots Bromley. Not a bad route, but let down in places by poorly maintained and overgrown stiles and poor signage, and by fields where the paths were invisible, so persistence and good navigation skills are needed, and though I am willing to snail it, I suspect that there are easier alternatives (having walked the National Forest Way and that section of the Cross Britain way they might combine to make one, though that would be longer and have more roads).

Leaving Yoxall, we start on the same route as KinYox 3 (which I had just walked), south down Main Road, right up Ferrers Road and across the park and using the good path up to Main Road (the last stile is hard to spot but it is there). We walk a short distance along the quiet Main Road then take the little used field path right, which crosses fields largely unmarked but the stiles are all fine apart from the last one down to Morrey Lane which requires a degree of agility that was almost beyond me. Beyond the house the path onwards is much better used, not least my horses, and is muddy at first. We soon find ourselves on a charming tree lined lane which takes us to the farm road on the edge of Hamstall Ridware.

We follow the roads over the Blithe and through the village then right and out again. Once beyond the houses we take the second farm track (no footpath sign) and follow the track until it ends it a muddy field, where the way forward starts on the left side of the hedge and crosses a couple of stiles to reach the incongruously good footbridge over the Blithe (there are steps here).

Beyond the bridge we cross a large pasture to find the stile in the far corner, beyond which the "path" deteriorates - the second stile is overgrown by thorns and is quite difficult to cross. Beyond we follow the edge of an open arable field, where there is no real path until we reach the lane which takes us through a little wood, beyond which the lane turns left and our route crosses two more fields (again few if any traces of a path) to reach Orange Lane.

Here we turn left and follow the road down, up and past a farm. Beyond another little wood, the stile at the start of the path is very overgrown, and since there is an open entrance to the field a little further back I chose to retreat and use that. The next field had a vegetable crop, and since following the wide grassy edges wasn't much longer I chose to do that rather than trampling. The next field, which surrounds Sunnyside farm, was open pasture, and I chose to follow a quite well trodden shortcut path around the right hand edge rather than approach the farm buildings. This field narrows at its east end, and we can either cross a stile or go around the gate to another path which goes north along the edge of a field. Beyond we come to a T junction with footpath signs, and our path straight on has no sign. The way forward involved crossing another vegetable field, then negotiating the edge of a ploughed field. The only sign of a footpath was the stile between the two fields, and the gate onto Pinfold Lane was so overgrown that I chose to climb it.

We go left a short distance along Pinfold Lane and take the path right, which has been diverted along the right edge of the first couple of fields, crossing three metal stiles before returning to the right of way line at the bottom of the hill. Beyond we cross another large open field, go left a short distance along a lane (not north of it as the OS map) then go right along field edges and over more stiles then left a little to reach Ashbrook Lane.

We turn left then right at the T junction, and follow the main road up to the meeting point at the Butter Cross, where there are bus stops on both sides of the road neither of which is signed properly, but trust Google maps and the buses should stop. There are also good pubs on both sides of the road - I chose the Goat's Head and was rather surprisingly rewarded with a good pint of Butty Bach, on tour from Wales.

I started this route from Yoxall. I met Ken at the 12 stop where we arrived from either direction. It's a short walk from the poorly sited meeting spot in a pub car park, away from the bus route. I'd received a text from home on the bus to tell me I'd left my water behind so was pleased that this route passed the one shop in Yoxall, unlike Abbyox one. The route out of Yoxall starts well and follows the Way for the Millennium but soon breaks away. From there, the paths are poorly maintained and the stiles too. The walk through Hamstall Ridware, which has a pub, is along a lane which is relatively open, but is often used by cars and requires caution. The cross country section from Hamstall Hall, crossing the River Blythe was my favourite section of the walk, the only truly relaxing section, helped by a docile herd of cattle. There's more lane walking along Glass Lane, which is open and very quiet. Rejoining the footpath near Sunnyside we crossed a field of rape which the farmer had allocated a narrow corridor to for the footpath. This didn't follow the actual right of way but instead appeared to be an average of the two. We crossed Pinfold Lane and to a pleasant bit of countryside with the first views of Abbots Bromley. The village has shops and numerous pubs. This route is direct, safe and has places to stop, but only at either end. It was however, not easy to follow and despite the views (across the Trent Valley) and the wildlife I would hesitate to describe it as an enjoyable walk. The fault lies with local landowners as the overgrown paths, missing marker posts, broken stiles and fields of abandoned farm machinery can not be apportioned anywhere else. A functional walk which could definitely be improved. Ken will be able to supply more detail but all faults were reported to Staffordshire County Council.

Walked on the last day of April 2022 a fine day after a long dry spell. This is a pleasant but challenging country walk. Too many stiles in poor condition, many of the fields are pasture so there could be cattle but I had no issues. While the route is plotted from OS the location of some stiles may not agree but they were there after a short search.

The route leaves Yoxall passing the village shop and The Crown Inn where the bus stops are located. A section of hedged bridleway resembles an old lane with wild spring flowers offering a very attractive path. The Shoulder of Mutton at Hamstall Ridware once offed ale from Wards of Sheffield. It was open on this Saturday but I had no time to pause. An excess of paths lead to the church, inviting as this looks they don't lead to my destination.

There is only a limited view of the ancient Hamstall Hall before I turn along an unsigned farm track. Past the farm the path enters fields and meadows of the River Blithe which is crossed by a substancial footbridge. From a strange meeting of three footpaths I take the forth route, a bridleway, which shows neglect by riders and those on foot. A footpath leaves the bridleway making a more direct route to Gilleon's Hall around the edge of a field of tall bright yellow oil seed. The footpath from the west has been diverted so when I spotted the new gate I was also able to use a path cleared through the crop to join the road.

From here the plan had been to continue north passing The Clump but that proved impossible so I offer a quiet road route which may come as a relieve. Turning north across fields again towards Sunnyside it may be better to follow the field edge to pick up the path heading due north where I met the route in Abbyox-1

From Pinfold Lane excellent gates and stiles have been provided but they do appear to be a little to the east of the definitive line which resulted in head scratching to locate the first original boundary crossing. The approach to Abbots Bromley was fine but stile repair is neglected so close to the village. It was an unexpected climb into the meeting point passing a shop and bus shelter before the mass of buildings occupied by the former Abbots Bromley School dominate the street scene. “An eclectic mix of buildings, including attractive heritage assets, all set within 60 acres of land”, up for sale. That will make a masive change to the village if a new educational use isn't found. Seats at the meeting place plus two Inns offer a good finish.

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