Stone to Little Stoke Doorstep Walk for Health

Walks 1 and 2 - 2miles
Walk 3 - 3 miles

Walk 1

1 Access to Yard Lock can be gained by going down the lane opposite the entrance to Somerfields car park in Crown Street. Cross over the canal bridge to the towpath. Access can also be gained from the road leading to Trent side Clinic, where there is an opening in the wooden fence which takes you on to the towpath.

2 When you have reached the towpath face the canal and turn right and go under bridge 94. Continue down the towpath passing the information board and beacon on your way to the 'Star Lock', with the Star Inn on your right. After passing the Star Inn pass under bridge 93.

3 Continue along the towpath to bridge 92. Ignore the stile on your right and go under the bridge. Carry on walking until you reach the next bridge - (number 91 but the number is indecipherable).

4 DO NOT PASS UNDER THE BRIDGE, but leave the canal at this point by following the path to the right and go over the bridge.

5 Walk ahead until you reach the road. Turn right and continue, passing over a small stream at the junction turn left, follow this road until its end. On reaching the main road turn left and continue along it for about 1 mile. You will find yourself back in Stone town centre, at the traffic lights at the bottom of the High Street.

Walk 2

6 As walk 1 but if you would prefer to return to Stone along the canal, proceed along this main road until you reach priory Road on your left. Turn into Priory Road and follow it round as it bends to the right. When you reach Jervis Road turn into it and follow the narrow path at the end, which leads to a canalside path, with metal railings between you and the canal.

7 When you reach this path turn right and continue along it back towards town. After a while it leaves the canal and veers to the right, passing in front of some bungalows. You will soon have a view of St. Michael's Church tower and clock. Follow the path to the end, it leads onto a narrow road. Turn left and follow this road, passing the Mansion House Surgery and Abbey St Services on your left. The road emerges in Stone almost opposite the bottom f Crown Street.

Walk 3

8 As Walk 1 up to end of instruction 3 then continue as follows: walk under Bridge 91. When you reach the next bridge, take the path up the embankment onto the road. Turn left, and after about 30 meters you will come to an opening in the hedge marked by a footpath sign. Go through this and follow straight ahead through the housing estate. Go ahead through the metal barrier onto Lichfield Road almost opposite the Three Crowns pub. Cross the road carefully, walk in front of the pub and turn right into B5027 Uttoxeter Road.

9 Keep to the footpath and cross over the level crossing. After about 20 meters look for a metal barrier on the opposite side of the road, which marks the beginning of a tar macadam path. Cross the road and go down this path. After a series of bends it emerges at the top of a quiet cul-de-sac. Continue past some houses and look for the continuation of the path at the side of a house named 'penny Meadows'. A green metal service box and a bollard also mark the top of the path.

10 Follow the path round to where it comes out at the bottom of Lyndhurst Grove. At this point turn left up an estate road. Keep ahead and after [passing the top of Cranmore Grove look for a footpath on your left between two houses. Walk down this path and ahead you will see a metal fence that boarders the railway line. When you reach this fence turn right and continue along the path until you reach a metal barrier and dirt track (Pingle Lane).

11 When you reach this track turn left and walk down the slope to the Lichfield Road. Turn right and follow the road back to Stone town centre to the traffic lights at the bottom of the high street.

Well done for completing this walk. Why not keep your walking shoes on and explore the other 2 Doorstep Walks around Stone.