Staffordshire (January 2020)

A campervanning two-nights trip, following Elena's talk in Stafford, touring (mostly) villages of (mostly) Staffordshire.

Itinerary

Cannock Chase

Cannock Chase is an AONB, the nearest to Wolverhampton, which we could (comfortably) visit only when we could move around freely (you can actually go there by bus).

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  We parked at the feet of these cliffs.

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  The woodlands are very pretty, very British.

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  This had an autumn feeling although it was winter.

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  We looked for an advertised tree-swing but didn't find any.

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  So we were left to play with our imagination.

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  We should return in summer to see how this transforms.

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  To the expert eye, there are much botanical details.

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  Stepping stones over a brook are always a sensation.

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  Closing back the loop.

Shugborough Estate, Great Haywood & Essex bridge

The Shugborough Estate was initially the property of the bishop of Lichfield until it fell into royal hands following Henri VIII's dissolution of the monasteries. It then passed to the Anson family. It is today a National Trust property. The house was closed at this time of year and its outside presents a modest interest. The parkland and, to a lesser extent, the garden, are more impressive (we can't judge on the house's interiors). The landscape was in fact the owner (Thomas Anson)'s personal vision of paradise. He spared no expense from the treasure looted by his brother to the Spanish to shape it accordingly. Features of interest are the special breed of cows one find on the land and the nearby Essex bridge, the longest packhorse one in England.

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Sudbury

Sudbury is technically in Derbyshire, but very close to the frontier with Staffordshire. It was mentioned in the Domesday book as belonging to Henry de Ferrers and to be worth twenty shillings. The highlight is Sudbury's hall, in the restoration style (one of the finest examples), which also hosts the Museum of Childhood. The house is linked to the Vernon family.

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  not quite a Jacobean house.

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  The village store.

Uttoxeter

We had not planned to visit Uttoxeter, but it was so conveniently on the way and a worthwhile destination that we added it to our list.

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  Ancien looking pub, which, having made it so far, now made it for eternity.

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  The main street.

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  The church was hosting a service with power point.

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Tutbury

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Hoar cross & Abbots Bromley

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