Churnet Valley, Cheddleton, Staffordshire to Consall - River Churnet | Steam Railway | Caldon Canal

Today we’re near Leek in Staffordshire at Cheddleton, beautiful quiet spot. We’re starting from the Churnet Valley Railway and heading down the Churnet Valley. The train station still runs steam train between Froghall and Ipstones. It was rescued by the North Staffordshire Railway Society in the 1970s and has been extended over time including a signal box brought from Elton Crossing in Sandbach. The train, river Churnet and the Caldon Canal all run through the valley.

The Caldon canal runs 18 miles from Froghall to Stoke and used to carry coal and Limestone from Froghall to Stoke. Further down we reach Consall with its early 19th Century Lime Kilns where they used to take the coal and limestone and make Quick Lime which is used in the production of Iron, Steel and Paper.

Couple of good pubs to mention. At the start / end point we have the Boat Inn and at Consall if you cross the bridge opposite the Lime Kilns you will reach the Black Lion Inn with its Canalside beer garden. Both are worth of patronage.

The Route

From the station head down Basford Bridge Lane towards the Boat Inn. Turn left immediately after the pub car park. Head down the track and join the towpath. Just follow the path all the way to the Lime Kilns at Consall (note at one point the path crosses from the left of the canal to the right. From the Lime Kilns turn right up a steep set of steps. At the top go straight on over the field to the top. At the next stile ignore the track on your left, instead go straight on between the break in the woods. Cross the next stile and then head right to an unmarked stile into the next field. Bear diagonally left, heading for the three tall trees on the far side of the field. Go straight on at the unmarked stile through the field to the lane. Turn right into Consall following the lane for about half a mile. After the left hand bend with houses, look out for a footpath down a track on your right. Head down the track and over a stile on your left and go straight on over some boggy ground. At the next field keep right and go straight on through the farm yard and over the stile into the field. Go straight on down the field at the far end cross the double stile then bear left through the gates into the farm. Go straight on keeping the cow shed to your left. Pass the farm building and turn right down the driveway. At the end of the drive look out for the fingerpost opposite. Enter the field at the post and go straight on. At the far end of the field cross the stile. The sign on the stile says straight on, IGNORE THIS! Turn right down the edge of the field. You will cross 2 more stiles as you cross the fields bringing you to the right hand edge of some woodland. Follow the path that skirts the edge of the woods up the bank. At the top of the hill head down the farm track and at the sharp left hand bend go straight on onto the footpath. Just beyond the buildings head through the stile and turn left over a small field and over another field. Go straight on, then continue on the track on your left down the hill. Follow the track down and as it rises back up ignore the track on the right (goes to the water treatment works), continue straight on. Ahead there is an inviting looking field to your right and you can see down to the railway at the start point, ignore it, there is no way out of the field, stay to the left of the hedge and follow it straight on, you’ll cross a couple more stiles then drop down directly outside the Boat Inn, ignore its irresistible gravitational field if you want but you’ve earned a drink and a sit down. From the pub turn right back over the bridge then right past the station to the starting point.