Walking: Alton, Staffs

A great afternoon walking the countryside around Alton in Staffordshire's Churnet Valley - a hidden gem, shamefully little known even by folk who live in North Staffs. We based our stroll on the Saltersford Lane Circular Walk promoted by Staffs County Council click here - but a bit of unintended deviation extended their route.

Once down by the River Churnet - a steeper descent than my old knees expected - we happened upon a horde of tree-fellers & brush-clearers from the Waterway Recovery Group supporting the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust in preparing to restore a section of the Uttoxeter Canal. Having travelled the Caldon Canal all the way to Froghall Basin a few years ago, I found their endeavours both laudable & fascinating... to be able to take such a long term view, working to lay foundations for a structure one will never see completed is a remarkable commitment. The Churnet itself is a strong reminder of the real beauty of nature even amongst the man-made impositions of this once-industrial landscape (have a look at the photo of Crumpwood Weir below).

Swinging out across the rolling farmland & back toward Denstone, we eschewed the village & headed straight for Saltersford Lane - an ancient sandstone-paved 'saltway' linking the Nantwich salt mines with Newcastle, Cheadle, & Derby - in truth, to capture the views to the Weaver Hills, accepted by many to be the southermost point of the Pennines (my favourite range!) Only 1200 or so feet, but pretty...  

Walking along Saltersford Lane simply gave a great sense of being in touch with the long-distant past... 

Even with a cursory look, Alton itself seemed lovely: nice to look at; plenty of paths & corners to peek around; loads o'pubs; a whole life beyond Alton Towers... I really love the idea of the White Hart, a pub turned community hub-cafe-pub-B&B via local activism & buy-out - they have allotments out back!

All in all, a fine afternoon, in a place I will visit, & walk, again...