StaffordRugeley

Starug two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By David Sanderson on 25 Sep 2021


Distance

18km/11mi

Ascent

158m

Descent

158m

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Description

Starts by crossing Victoria Park and then joins the River Sow Leisure Way. Crosses a bridge to follow the river across a field and then picks up the towpath of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal which it follows to the end of the canal. At the junction with the Trent and Mersey Canal it heads south and follows the Trent and Mersey Canal into Rugeley. The route does not directly pass any rest and refreshment stops but does pass within 100 metres of pubs at Great Heywood (9.86km) and Little Heywood (11.52km). After leaving the Trent and Mersey Canal it follows pavements to the meeting point in Rugeley. Vast majority of route is towpath with a little pavement, paved riverside walk and rough grassy track

Starts by crossing Victoria Park and then joins the River Sow Leisure Way. Crosses a bridge to follow the river across a field and then picks up the towpath of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal which it follows to the end of the canal. At the junction with the Trent and Mersey Canal it heads south and follows the Trent and Mersey Canal into Rugeley. The route does not directly pass any rest and refreshment stops but does pass within 100 metres of pubs at Great Heywood (9.86km) and Little Heywood (11.52km). After leaving the Trent and Mersey Canal it follows pavements to the meeting point in Rugeley. Vast majority of route is towpath with a little pavement, paved riverside walk and rough grassy track

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Starug two

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 8

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 2X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 2: Mostly smooth and compacted surfaces, but there may be some loose gravel, muddy patches or cobbles.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Maybe present Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Maybe present Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Not present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Maybe present Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Maybe present Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Maybe present Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
No visible path (0)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Maybe present Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

Narrowest part of path: no data

The steepest uphill gradient East: no data

The steepest uphill gradient West: no data

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

There is no data on how much of this route is on roads

There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night

Thereis no data on amount of route paved

There is no data on muddiness

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

2X November 2023 by Ken
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Stafford
Grid Ref SJ9187022930
Lat / Lon 52.80388° / -2.12203°
Easting / Northing 391,870E / 322,930N
What3Words looked.dose.motel
Rugeley
Grid Ref SK0442917971
Lat / Lon 52.75935° / -1.93580°
Easting / Northing 404,429E / 317,971N
What3Words units.rots.asks

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews


J w ollid

19 Nov 2023 Autumn

This is a good direct route,mainly using the canal towpath.I walked from Stafford to Rugely ( using both the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal along with the the Trent and Mersey)Some sections of the both canal towpaths are quite muddy but the majority is a made up surface which allows for easy walking.Leaving Stafford and passing through Victoria park one comes to the Sow Leisure Route,this area before joining the canal towpath does have the potential to be very wet and be flooded.Joining the canal,plenty of activity can be seen,narrowboats on the move a variety of interesting bridges and historic buildings in the distance.After several miles and approaching Rugely make sure to cross the canal (approaching rail line indicates roughly where to cross)After a a small amount of pavement walking one is soon in the centre of Rugely.I used public transport (bus) at both ends of this walk train is also possible both being fairly reliable!Onroute there are plenty of stopping off points pubs/cafes shops etc .I enjoyed this walk,there were no issues regarding obstructions or access.


Ken

12 Nov 2023 Autumn

The route is well plotted, flat with a mix of surfaces some excellent others can be muddy. One stile and perhaps potential for cattle in one short section, which could flood. Services just off route at Great Haywood junction, village, Little Haywood and Wolseley Bridge.

I walked from Stafford and enjoyed the exit via the well kept and busy Victoria Park. The Sow was still lapping the top step since my visit to walk Stahix when the lower paths were flooded. Passing remains of the Mill and a short section of town it's then onto the Sow Leisure Route which has a good surface but close to the river level there was evidence of flooding after recent severe rain so hopefully not a regular issue.

The Slow Way crosses the river and enters fields or flood meadow down steps. This area was still very wet and needed varied detours to avoid the wettest parts, in better conditions there could be cattle here and the link to the canal is the only stile on the whole route. Here volunteers are constructing a lock to take the navigation into the heart of Stafford.

Having joined the towpath, which here was muddy, navigation is straight forward. Original brick bridges and passing boats add interest plus trains which share a route along this small valley. At Milford an attractive roving bridge takes the towpath to the opposite bank and from here surface improvement makes the going very easy. It was not clear if access to the road is available here to explain the change of surface.

We cross the Sow on a squat functional aqueduct and continue to follow the river's course. Tixall Lock is likely to have a boat passing through and confirms we are heading downstream to where the Sow meets the Trent which we cross before arriving at Great Haywood Junction.
There is a farm shop and cafe if you turn left along the Trent and Mersey canal. Otherwise turn right along a busy section of path to the lock and bridge. It's worth a pause here. Turn right to view Exeter Bridge or beyond Shugborough Hall. Turn left under the railway for a short link to the village and Clifford Arms.

Back on the towpath to the right are views into Shugborough Park. The autumn colours along here were wonderful in the sunshine. The next, rather low bridge, offers access to Little Haywood and two more inns but the road under the railway has no pavement so take care, it may also flood.

After Colwick and it's attractive lock the canal and River Trent are side by side. Wolseley bridge, where cars pip rather than slow down, offers a link to another inn.

As the path comes close to the railway, cross the canal and continue along the opposite bank. I missed this so was pleased to find that the bypass bridge does offer a cross link for those who ignore the plotted route. A crossing of the Trent at Brindley Bank brings us into Rugeley but there remains fields to one side and extended gardens on the off bank. It's interesting to see how some make better use of the waterside location.

It's just a short hop into the town and the meeting place, well located for shops and buses, trains are a little further. A very good Slow Way which with luck and funding for further surface improvements can only get better still.


David Sanderson

25 Sep 2021 Autumn

Peaceful, relaxing and very easy to follow. I started at dawn in Rugeley and made the short way to the canal through town. The section along the Trent and Mersey Canal in Rugeley is popular with anglers and dog walkers and the gardens on the opposite bank tend to be quite ornate. Having crossed by aqueduct over the River Trent I was soon out of the town and into the countryside of the Trent Valley. The canal is well used by boaters and the moments of solitude are interspersed with the occasional "Hello" to joggers, dog walkers and narrowboats. As it heads north, the River follows to your left and you get views across cattle on the flood plain to the wooded hills of Cannock Chase. It's a lovely walk. The villages of Colwich, Little Heywood and Great Heywood are all well maintained picturesque places to walk through by towpath. It was too early for it to be open, but I checked that the pub in Little Heywood is a short walk from the route. At Great Heywood you leave the Trent and Mersey and join the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. As I passed on a Saturday morning there were many new hirers being taken through the basics of their narrowboats by staff. It's a route I've walked quite a few times before but today I found the S&W less interesting than the T&M. On the edge of Stafford, leaving the canal, the footpath was diverted (by only tens of metres) to accommodate a restored canal. The next section follows the Sow and there are a number of more direct options than the official footpath. There's a strange bridge which crosses where the Penk should be which I've left the route crossing. After crossing a bridge and the road which crosses it, the route picks up the River Sow Leisure Route, a really enjoyable paved walk into the town centre. After the temptations of the leisure park I crossed Victoria Park to make my hourly train home with 5 minutes to spare. Uncanny. This route, at 18.3km was the second longest Slow Way I've walked. It's offroad, safe, beautiful and very very easy to follow. But is there a more direct way? I looked at it and couldn't find one without a price. Less offroad if you followed the A513 and more of a climb if you somehow could piece together a series of paths across Cannock Chase. But just because I couldn't find it doesn't mean there isn't a better route.


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Other Routes for Stafford—Rugeley See all Slow Ways

Stafford—Rugeley

Starug one

Distance

18km/11mi

Ascent

80 m

Descent

81 m

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