We found faults with the original route so this is the improved route that I commend you to follow. Getting off the bus from Uttoxeter our path was right there up steps, an alley way so no opportunity to explore even a part of the town famed for the church designed by Augustus Pugin so I guess we missed a treat. We pass, unnoticed, fishing lakes then turn west and only the GPS guides us to a narrow path climbing through trees. At Dilhorne church we leave the right of way and take a gate and path through the burial ground. The octagonal tower draws our attention but the direct path leads to a drop onto the road so a retreat back to the RoW is required for the last few steps. The building doesn’t look much from the road but it hides a large garden and campsite through which our path passes....

Ken

Gutted – A three star review invites Hugh and myself to complete this missing link in the intercity route between Derby and Stoke on Trent. We started from Cheadle, a challenging town to access from Derby....

Ken

We pass a farm and go right a few steps to reach the road, then left over the road bridge and back into the fields. We cross another farm lane and head straight on along the right edge of a wood, then descend more or less straight on towards a cemetery. We continue uphill through fields, bearing left to pass a hilltop wood to the left then slightly right to the heritage railway crossing, across a minor road and up another hill, then down through a pasture, across another stream (watch out for the stile to the right on the far side) and up to Tunstall Sytch and out to the road through the farm yard. We head straight on - in the first field you need to head for an obvious gate by a livestock drinking trough to avoid new electric fences, then on through more fields to join the road in a dark wooded area (this path may take some spotting in the other direction as there is no signpost). We turn right, then cross to the next road left, then head more or less straight on into Weston Sprink, a large area of woodland and urban parkland. At Weston Coyney Road we go left a few steps, then left again onto Westonfields Road, then take the first path right over the old railway, left onto Thirlmere Grove then out on a path that starts between brick walls and crosses the old railway again....

Hugh Hudson

Most of this route is a pleasant country walk with good views, but unfortunately the old railway section in Longton is not walkable so we are going to have to fail it. I will submit a walkable version later today and post a more detailed review with pictures there....

Hugh Hudson

It’s well signposted and easily accessible though. Combining this with the end of Stolon four would be better....

Kabutomushi

A short section of road then an estate road leads surprisingly to a good path across a grassed area which after crossing another minor road takes us past Smith Pool....

Ken

It started from Stoke-on-Trent down steps and along the canal, past some interesting boats, then on past the Pye Hill Clock Tower and into a pleasant park. A short road section led to a surfaced path alongside the railway, with more railway interest (signal box, pedestrian level crossing, partially filled arches) leading to Longton Station. A small step longer than StoLon One, a giant leap better!...

Mary Oz

Really rather enjoyable stroll between Stoke and Longton stations incorporating pavement, towpath, park track and footpath. Very easy to follow and mostly offroad. Steps at the Stoke end, but with a visible ramp alternative for access to the Trent and Mersey Canal....

David Sanderson

Yes it’s direct, but it has an atmosphere of run down urban industry and trade, dominated by noise and fumes from cars. Satnav for cars....

Mary Oz

Some surrounding buildings make the Longton end an interesting start but I found myself thinking about where we were going to cross the road for most of the walk....

David Sanderson

There is a farm as you approach Caverswall from Longton where they do their best to hide the route through (no signs, an unmarked wooden gate in a fence) and divert you onto a less desirable muddy track but it is not obstructed and is accurately mapped here....

steveplatt