GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Hanchurch Woods

10.25 miles (16.5 km)

These woods near Trentham have three nice waymarked trails to try. The walks are colour coded and include the Green Walk, Red Walk and Blue Walk. The route below takes you around all three routes in a 10 mile, figure of eight walk. There's some moderate climbs and great views over the area from the high points. You can pick up all the trails from the car park off Drayton Road, about a mile west of the village of Hanchurch. The woods are also great for mountain biking with some decent off road trails.
The red section of the route climbs through Harley Thorns woods with fantastic views over Cannock Chase AONB to The Wrekin hill in Shropshire.
The green section heads towards the village of Hanchurch, passing the pretty Hanchurch Pools on the way. The series of ponds lead to the village where you will find a Model Farm, Hanchurch Manor and a 17th century farmhouse and medieval schoolhouse. You'll also pass through the edge of Swynnerton Old Park and Hanchurch Heath.
The long Blue Walk takes you south towards the village of Swynnerton, passing local caves and climbing to a high point of over 700ft. From here there are splendid views all the way to the Welsh Hills. Swynnerton is a very pretty village and nice place to stop for refreshments before continuing your walk. From the village you head north through farmland towards Beech, before returning to the car park.
To extend your walking in the area then look no further than the lovely Trentham Gardens. Here you will find 300 acres of landscaped parkland, gardens and woodland with a fabulous lake. The long distance Two Saints Way also passes the woods. You could pick up the trail and follow it to the Trent and Mersey Canal.
This route is designed for walkers but the woods are also popular with mountain bikers. There's 6 miles of mountain bike singletrack and other shorter tracks to try.

Postcode

ST4 8SN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Hanchurch Woods OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Hanchurch Woods Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

If you head east from the woods you will find lots of cafes at Trentham Gardens and the associated shopping village.

Dog Walking

The woods are ideal for dog walking with off lead time and plenty of other dogs to make friends with on the way.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The woods are located close to the market town of Stone where you can pick up th Stone Walk which takes you to Trentham along the canal. On the way it passes the lovely Downs Banks, a National Trust property with some more fine woodland trails to try.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Staffordshire Walks page.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Woodland track in Hanchurch Hills - geograph.org.uk - 1306642

View of one of the woodland trails in the spring of 2009. This one leads to Harley Thorns. The woods are managed by Staffordshire County Council as a public open space.

Water tower, Hanchurch Woods - geograph.org.uk - 1306602

Water tower in the woods. Built in yellow and red brick this is similar to a number of other Water Board buildings in the area. 

Welcome sign, Hanchurch Hills - geograph.org.uk - 1306626

Welcome sign, Hanchurch Hills. The woods are managed as a public open space by the County Council. They were gifted to the council by the then Lord Stafford in 1960.

At the woodland edge - geograph.org.uk - 1306608

Bluebells in the woods in the spring

Commemorative stone, Hanchurch Woods. - geograph.org.uk - 1306559

Commemorative stone. This large rock records the gift of these woods to the County.

Track through Hanchurch Woods - geograph.org.uk - 1306596

A peaceful shady track with sun shinging through the trees on a fine day.

Swynnerton Old Park - geograph.org.uk - 511790

Swynnerton Old Park

Track to Harley Thorns - geograph.org.uk - 1306635

Track to Harley Thorns

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Hanchurch Woods.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Hanchurch Woods.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)