Penrug five

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Penrug here.

Mostly good surfaces for easy walking. Stiles and possible cattle if using the field paths at Bednall. Paths on the ground do not always align with OS and some paths used are through access land so again no path on the map, follow the plotted route and all will be well. All road walking is safe but not all crossing have pedestrian control.

I walked from Rugeley where lights close by offer safe crossing points. The first path alongside the Rising Brook is not definitive but follows the stream on a metalled path which in places was flooded from the overflowing brook.

The path has a good surface all the way to meet the road south of Slitting Mill where our route makes a safe direct crossing into the access land of Cannock Chase onto another well surfaced signed track.

A combination of recorded and unrecorded but well surfaced tracks leads to Marquis Drive where a short detour takes us to the Visitor Centre if required. The next section of the drive is used for car parking but we can step to one side and walk in safety on the grass.

We are now on the Heart of England Way to Springslade Lodge, a cafe and campsite. From here our route has a short challenging section through the access land of Bednall Belt Plantation to the west of the road. In early April the bracken lay dead on the ground and a choice of faint paths could make this short section difficult but the road to the east and open countryside to the west means the general direction is easy to follow. The views west are also good, the Wrekin can be seen twenty miles away.

Meeting a bridleway and the Staffordshire Way we return to easy walking and navigation. You may choose Penrug-4 to avoid the stiles and field paths to enter Bednall by road. No services here except perhaps at the church. Cock Lane leads to Teddesley Home Farm but we fork off across a field and enter a boggy wood which has sleepers to provide a firm path for walkers, I wonder what state this would be in if riders came along this bridleway.

The path starts well across Teddesley Park, now a large ploughed field, not pasture as the name suggests. The wide mown path soon strays from the definitive line so this plot will help especially those heading to Rugeley.

Meeting the canal towpath which can be a narrow and muddy but is well used and takes us into Penkridge and a canal side inn before a walk into the centre and the meeting place close to shops, buses and just a short walk to the station. A good walk made perfect with good company.

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