We’ve teamed up with Stone Ramblers to bring you a series of walks in and around the town for the summer. Here’s the latest, a seven-mile walk taking in Pirehill, Peasley Bank and Aston – and lots of beautiful countryside!
[box type=”info” ]You’ll find lots more information about Stone Ramblers, including their latest programme of walks, on their website HERE. This and other walks can be found in the book ‘Walks Around Stone’, which is available to buy from Stone Library. There is also another book, also available from the library, called ‘Stone Circles’ which features walks in the villages around Stone. Both have recently been updated[/box]
Pirehill – Peasley Bank – Aston by Stone
Distance: 7 miles
Time: Allow at least 3 hours
Refreshments: The Star Inn at the beginning and end and the Crown Inn in the middle
Terrain: A walk starting through Walton and having a middle section with easy walking along a well defined bridleway followed by a more strenuous return leg across the fields to Aston by Stone. The walk ends along the Trent and Mersey Canal. There are moderate climbs up both Pirehill Lane and Peasley Bank. The return across fields can be hard going after heavy rain.
ROUTE
1. Walking away from the tennis courts leave Westbridge Park by the gate to the right of the Stafford and Stone Canoe Club hut. Turn left, crossing the river Trent by the old road bridge which has been pedestrian only since the adjacent Walton Bridge was opened in 1984. Over the bridge keep to the left-hand path in front of the cottages and at the top of the slope turn left into the old Stafford Road.
Continue ahead until Stafford Road meets the A34 dual carriageway.
2. Cross the dual carriageway by the footbridge and continue on the asphalt path to Tilling Drive. Turn left and in 200 yards turn right into Beacon Rise. In a further 200 yards turn right again at a safety barrier into the end of a cul-de-sac. Continue straight ahead crossing Hill Crescent and following the road uphill.
At the T junction go left into Spring Gardens. Take a right turn up another asphalt path to reach Pirehill Lane by a large oak tree.
3. Turn left along Pirehill Lane. At the speed derestriction sign Pirehill Lane becomes an surfaced bridleway. Continue uphill passing Oak Farm, New House Farm and the converted barns and farmhouse of North Pirehill Farm. From here you can see the summit of Peasley Bank beyond which is our return route.
4. The track continues for three quarters of a mile to Pirehill Grange Farm on your left.
5. Continue ahead along the track for another three quarters of a mile passing several farms. There are extensive views towards the Wrekin to the right. Opposite the entrance to Lynwood Farm there is a stile. Cross the stile and keep left to a gateway and stile. Over the stile continue ahead to the right of a post and wire fence.
6. At the junction of three hedges follow the waymark into the field and continue ahead keeping the hedge on your right. At the top of the field pass through the gap into the next field, go ahead to a stile in the far hedge, the stile is in fact a small bridge. The fence round the Peasley Bank reservoir can be seen across to the left.
7. At the stile a little known perspective of Stone and Aston by Stone comes into view, dominated from this angle by Aston Lodge estate but with St Saviour’s Church in Aston and St Michael’s Church in Stone clearly visible. Nearer on the left can be seen the summit of Peasley Bank which carries a trigonometric point at 165m. There is no public right of way to the summit. From the stile bear diagonally right downhill towards a stile that can be seen in the corner of the field following the boundary hedge on your left to the stile.
8. Cross the stile and continue directly ahead. Pass the large tree in the middle of the field then head left towards the field corner. There is a stile in the hedge a few yards from the gateway.
9. Cross the stile, then continue downhill keeping the hedge on your right to a stile at the bottom of the field. Then ahead another stile.
10. Cross the stile and follow the right-hand boundary of a small field to another stile. Then along again down a long field – at the corner of the field turn left then right into a grassy lane which leads to the A34 Stafford-Stone road.
11. Cross the A34 with great care and continue straight ahead down Aston Lane. Note the small oak tree surrounded by a chain fence. This tree was planted in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of George V.
Keep left between houses then when the lane turns to the right take the footpath in the corner to the left of Willow Cottage Farm. Pass over a stile and wooden bridge marked by yellow posts. The footpath can be seen clearly ahead. Pass through a swing gate and keeping the large barn to your left aim for the corner of the brick wall to your right that is the boundary of Aston Hall.
At the corner turn sharp right along the wall and reach a lane through a swing gate. At this point notice successively from right to left, the entrance to Aston Hall, a public footpath followed by Walk 6 and the exit drive from St Saviour’s Church, Aston by Stone.
12. Turn left, passing the old Aston School on the right, and in 100 yards turn right. At this junction is the entrance drive to the church. The lane shortly crosses the River Trent and in a further 100 yards beyond a brick barn conversion turn right on to the towpath of the Trent and Mersey canal.
13. Immediately turn left, going under bridge number 90.
The towpath may now be followed back to Westbridge Park passing under the A51 road bridge and canal bridges 91 and 92.
