Parkside to Stafford Common and Astonfields
This walk is about 4 miles long and will take between 2 to 3 hours to complete.
You can start your walk from a number of places, but Parkside Primary School is a good place to begin.
1 Leaving the main entrance of Parkside Primary School, turn right and carry on along Bradshaw Way. Go across the recreation ground and over the rail fence onto Stafford Common
2 Turn right and follow the well-worn path across the common towards the far left corner. Head towards the old white house at the edge of the common.
3 From there, go through a small sprig gate and follow the narrow tarmac path along the edge of the Common. You may see cattle and horses grazing in the distance, and if you are lucky, you might see Lapwings and Golden Plover flying overhead.
4 After 100m, turn left onto the cycle path. This path was once part of the railway line that linked Stafford to Uttoxeter. Walk along here, passing under the road bridge and continue for 400m until you reach Astonfields Balancing Lakes. This area is important for nature conservation and from 2004 will be designated a Local Nature Reserve. There is a large reed bed at the edge of open water, which attracts interesting species of birds such as Water Rail, Reed Warbler and Snipe. We know that he very rare Water Vole has been seen in this area. Keep a look out and let us know if you see one!
5 At the Balancing Lakes, turn right and continue along the path leading through the Balancing Lakes for 400m and out onto the Astonfields Road.
6 Turn right here and go past Stafford Rangers football ground. Turn right along Drummond Road, hen left along Kenworthy Road. At the end, turn right to re-join the cycle path.
7 Go left along the cycle path, back under the road bridge and continue for 400m.
8 Go under Stone Road Bridge, then after 50m turn right along an alley leading to Izaak Walton Street. Turn Left along ere to join Eccleshall Road.
9 Go right along the Eccleshall Road. At certain times of the year you may spot migrating toads trying to cross this busy road. 'Toad Warning Signs' have been put up in recent years to encourage drivers to slow down, especially at the height of migration, between February and May.
10 After 400m turn right into Holcroft Road. Cross over Holmcroft Road and after the library turn left along the path, then bear right along the tarmac path. Continue for 40m and then join the recreation ground.
11 Head towards the opposite end of the recreation ground and onto Woodlands Road. Go right, and then take the first left along Hurlingham Road and then onto First Avenue.
12 Turn left, then take a right along Gough Close and continue straight ahead along the tarmac path leading to Crispin Close.
13 At the Stone Road go over the pedestrian crossing and then turn left. Continue for 50m the turn right through the gap I the wall and continue along Fairoak Avenue. When it bends left, continue straight ahead along the tarmac alley path back to the start of the walk at the school.
Keep your walking shoes on and explore the other Doorstep Walks in and around Stafford Borough.
