Only today another suggestion that the pavement section needs a better route. The excellent tarmac path needs treating with care because we soon bear left onto a well trodden earth path alongside the railway. Initially open among trees it then crosses a stream and a short section is between the railway fence and industrial buildings but it remains friendly and ends with a wide green corridor heading east to a road. Back in green space alongside blue the tarmac path offered an excellent and easy surface for the Slow Way. The path uses a short section of disused railway then drops to the road where we cross the active line, by bridge, and turn north. I decided to offer a direct route but if you need services at the visitor centre then look at Canrug-2 because we take a different line to Marquise’s Drive and Jockey Hill which provides good open view to the east and seats to take a break. It’s now down hill with limited views to the road which provides a short link to the next footpath along Rising Brook....

Ken

Once leaving Cannock Chase you start the long pavement section towards Cannock Railway Station with plenty of shops for supplies. A Good Route easy to follow taking in good scenery would be 5 Stars but for the last section along the roads....

Nigel Cull

Taking you from Rugeley via the Trent and Mersey Canal a very pleasant waterway. Then along footpaths with great views over the Staffordshire country side and moorland. Arriving into Lichfield via Stowe Pool....

Nigel Cull

There are a number of pubs on this route, including at Hill Ridware, where they serve Cantonese food....

David Sanderson

I know from having walked sections of this route in other contexts this is the best one for views....

David Sanderson

The plotting near Morrey is not completely clear and requires some interpretation. There are a couple of sections near Morrey that are very overgrown too. I have improved this route and submitted it as Rugyox 6...

David Sanderson

A Fail, as the plotting fails to follow the right of way, and leads you into a field with no exit. Fixed and submitted as Rugyox 5...

David Sanderson

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....

J w ollid

Services just off route at Great Haywood junction, village, Little Haywood and Wolseley Bridge. 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. 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. Turn left under the railway for a short link to the village and Clifford Arms. 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. I missed this so was pleased to find that the bypass bridge does offer a cross link for those who ignore the plotted route....

Ken

The road has a pavement passing the church then turning towards the railway there is no pavement, this road could be busy on a work day, I walked it on a quiet Saturday. The main road can be busy but is safe to cross with care then we are on the canal towpath which the information boards states “The towing path has been restored to a high standard”. A farm shop and cafe at Great Haywood and a view of the junction with it’s huge finger post and gently arched bridge, perhaps the best view from the road bridge on this route. We pass Colwich lock and head on for Wolseley Bridge where we join the road. A huge bridge takes us over a road that was the by pass but has now been by passed so a direct crossing of the road may no longer be an issue but is not an option....

Ken

The exit starts well but finding the signed path alongside two bungalows offered no guidance but perhaps that was just me. Building work at Hanch Farm had left a narrow path alongside the security fence. A decent headland path offers the best route along the field edge and then tram lines made by the tractors provide the only crop free path to the road. The walk alongside Stowe Pool is rightly very popular, we miss a close encounter with the cathedral to take a direct route to the meeting place so if this is a first visit a detour around the city is a must....

Ken

I spotted a campsite at the road then there is a cycle path that avoids the short road section with warning signs suggesting it's not advised as a walking path. I had no issue with the plotting and path finding especially here as the route is used by cables strung between a line of ploes....

Ken

From the Burntwood meeting point outside the shopping centre, we head north up the very straight Rugeley Road for some distance, then right onto Chorley Road, which soon reaches the edge of the built up area. We emerge on Common Side opposite the church and head straight on, then take the path that starts on Buds Road by the junction. We go a short distance right up Rugeley Road then left onto Stile Cop Road, which is quite narrow with fast traffic, and lacks a continuous verge, so take care here - you should at least be rewarded with views over the steeper ground below. At the end of the road a surfaced path takes us straight on to Hilltop, which we follow left then around the bend to the right to reach the A460....

Hugh Hudson

From The centre of Rugeley this was a good varied route with field, woodland, towpaths and moor paths to take you to Penkridge. The only small issue (as others have mentioned) is the section running parallel to the Camp Road. it was very brambly and I’m not sure how clear the path will be in summer....

Lynn Jackson

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. 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. From here our route has a short challenging section through the access land of Bednall Belt Plantation to the west of the road. You may choose Penrug-4 to avoid the stiles and field paths to enter Bednall by road....

Ken

The initial route out of Rugeley to Cannock chase was slightly confusing in places as it had been moved from the original OS marked route, but it was pretty obvious on the ground. Then there was a nice path and quiet roads into the very pretty, sleepy village of Bednall....

Mary Oz

Originally failed for photo below. But since fixed. Flag removed...

David Sanderson

Mainly footpath and some towpath using The Heart of England Way and Staffordshire Way in sections....

David Sanderson

Walked from Rugeley to Penkridge as a group.This is a good reasonably direct route,using bridleways footpaths and a section of canal towpath(staffs and worcs canal) Some sections were muddy,but generally the route was good underfoot,However one small section of path running parallel to Camp road was difficult to follow and in the summer could present a problem (when the bracken brambles etc start to grow)Plenty of interesting places to look at on route and two refreshment stops if needed(Cannock chase)No obstructions or issues and fairly well served by public transport at either end of the route....

J w ollid

Shortly beyond we come to a T junction where we turn right, following the wide track past more small lakes before tending left and uphill to reach the road (Marquis's Drive). This is forced right a couple of times by fire breaks but takes a fairly straight path onto the open higher part of the Chase, passing the Katyn memorial to reach Camp Road, which we cross and pass or stop at the Springslade Cafe. We follow the road down past the cafe then take a smaller track right uphill to a junction where we go sharp left to reach another forest road, where we go right a short distance to find a path left that goes through an open gate into an area of grassland, brambles and sparse trees. The clear wide path goes further north than the right of way line, and skirts round the far right (north west) corner of the field, then crosses another field on a well marked line to reach the bridge over the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal....

Hugh Hudson

We were planning to walk this route yesterday from Rugeley to Penkridge, and followed most of it, but we found an issue that currently blocks it, and as a result we explored other alternatives and found a different route into the Cannock Chase access land (see PENRUG 4)....

Hugh Hudson

Shops etc at Armitage but if not required, best stay on the canal towpath. A short detour north to meet the canal where a slope offers access while steps provide a direct route, but later this is not a route for wheels. But it's not all doom and gloom, there is also a field with the path clearly marked and clear of the emerging crop. Again no marked path on the approach to the road where a fingerpost hides in the hedge to confirm I've found the correct point. A short section of road where the verge can offer a refuge but the tarmac makes for easier walking....

Ken

I encountered some livestock (sheep, cows and horses) but none of which came close to bothering me (or even came closed really)....

David Sanderson

Route seemed to mainly follow the road from here towards Penkridge so followed a different route via Fairoak Pools and Brindley Heath for a more scenic option....

Eddie Jones

Easy going terrain with easy to follow paths/tracks. Village of Colton enroute has a nice pub for refreshments....

Eddie Jones

Mostly very safe, but some care is needed crossing the roads around the Wolseley Centre and passing under the railway bridge in Little Haywood....

David Sanderson

On reaching civilisation, the Trent and Mersey Canal at Handsacre, I felt a sense of relief. You soon leave the canal to follow the high streets through Handsacre and then Armitage. The walk from the canal to the meeting place in Rugeley is short and unremarkable....

David Sanderson

Path at SK 0060 1540 to take you near the Cannock Chase Visitors Centre has been closed to the public and is gated at the other end. Canrug two is a diverted version of this route, use that instead....

David Sanderson

You can follow a signposted trail from the other side of the road but instead this route goes down the road (which involves verge walking) before going up a rutted bridleway to join up with the main route. It was at this point I wondered if there was a nicer way to finish the walk from the other side of the railway line as walking and cycle route is marked in that direction. Instead I pounded the pavement of the main road through Hednesford and then Chadsmoor to the eventual meeting place at Cannock Railway Station. Yes, crossing the road at Lady Hill Coppice could cut out the road walking and a bit of research might produce a more offroad section at the Cannock end....

David Sanderson

1 On Gentleshaw Hill at SK 0502 1086 you are directed to follow a right of way where the path does not exist....

David Sanderson

The first section is a gentle stroll along residential pavements in Norton Canes and then Chase Terrace although there is a blind road crossing at the A5195 which needs care. The walk leaves the national trails and crosses the road, passing a caravan park before looping around to climb over Regents Hill and then cross the road. After crossing Stile Cop Road you go through a car park, often busy with mountain bikers, and pass a triangulation pillar. For Rugbur from Rugeley to Burntwood I followed 200m of Stile Cop Road which although being a 60mph road with no pavement, is not very, busy and has long lines of sight and a wide roadside to step into when a car approaches....

David Sanderson

Leaving from Rugeley you are asked to join the canal then leave the canal via a bridge and then rejoin the canal where there is no means to do so. The Stafford end is very vague in an area where you need to know whether you follow either of the two rivers or the canal. Unworthy of a Slow Way...

David Sanderson

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. 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....

David Sanderson

The road from Pottal Pool to the junction with Cannock Rd is heavily trafficked with frequent large lorries. There is no verge to walk on and a Slow Wayer has indicated that this road is dangerous for pedestrians....

Slow Ways Cristie

Mixed walking, quiet roads, fields, tracks and paths...

Emma Dodd

As the route hits Pipe Ridware it leaves The Way for the Millennium, which you have just joined, in order to take a route north via Hamstall Ridware. Getting into Hamstall Ridware (site of the second pub of the journey) you then have to follow a lane where the car is king. Having crossed yet another stile that requires the legs of Peter Crouch but the body of Ronnie Corbett I found the route joining the Way for the Millennium which I had left in Pipe Ridware....

David Sanderson

The first section leaves Rugeley via a lane that cars use rather than a more direct footpath that gets you to the same spot. The next section was usable but a new road and the diversion of a footpath throws the route into confusion in Hill Ridware. Directing you up a lane and then through a non-existent gap to then join a footpath which will take you back to the lane you would have been on had you not been directed up the first lane....

David Sanderson

The road from Pottal Pool to the junction with Cannock Rd is heavily trafficked with frequent large lorries. There is no verge to walk on and I think this road is dangerous for pedestrians...

Margaret

Were it not for the dangerous stiles (all featured on the "Way for the Millennium" walk) I would submit a new version with the section in Hill Ridware corrected....

David Sanderson

Having passed numerous shops and pubs and underneath the railway arch, you turn off to the right (2) and follow a series of pavements and then footpaths through a quiet residential area (3). You cross a car park (popular with mountain bikers) and turn left into Stile Cop Road. There is a short section of road walking here but the stretch is straight and has verges. At the end of the road you cross over onto Startley Hill where the Way picks up the Heart of England Way. Even if you don't divert to walk around the monument, the road at the front beyond the car park has great views south across the Black Country and into Worcestershire. The route folows the track and ends up on Chorley Road where you turn right and the pavement follows the road up the hill past a couple of pubs and small supermarkets before turning left into Rugeley Road....

David Sanderson

Bishops Walk is temporarily closed in Lichfield (this should only be a problem until early June 2021) and more importantly a section of the walk at Armitage takes you along a footpath (marked on the OS map between SK 0804 1626 and SK 0837 1623) on the non-towpath side at the back of the Armitage Shanks factory which no longer exists and is impassable. The route then took me around Rugeley across field then via a sharp ascent up what appeared to be an old slag heap (mining was once the main industry) and brought me into the far side of Rugeley (from Lichfield)....

David Sanderson

The route to the canal is direct and easy to follow. The route leaves the canal in Armitage and delivers you to a bus route, cafe, pub and supermarket if you so desire....

David Sanderson