Newport to Burton upon Trent65km/41 miles
EASY
Signed
An east-west route across Staffordshire deliberately designed for easy walking, using towpaths, old railway lines and footpaths and visiting attractive countryside and green spaces.
The first 19km/12 miles uses the Newport to Stafford Greenway along the alignment of the old Wellington to Stafford Greenway via Gnosall, closed in 1964. After crossing the county town a lengthy canalside section follows the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal to Great Haywood, then the Trent & Mersey through Shugborough and Rugeley. The route then crosses farmland on rural footpaths connecting small villages to Wychnor where it rejoins the Trent & Mersey canal near Alrewas to Shobnall on the edge of Britain's brewing capital, Burton upon Trent.
Between Great Haywood and the edge of Rugeley the Way follows the same route as the Staffordshire Way (E2).
The Way was established by Staffordshire council to mark the millennium and opened in 1999. Some sections are also open to horse riders and cyclists.
Easy walking throughout with no steep gradients, though there are some steps and other obstructions and some sections can become muddy in wet weather. For more details of easy access sections contact Staffordshire council.
Public Transport
Much of the Way passes close to major towns and cities and is easily accessible by public transport, though note that many buses do not run on Sundays. The principle points are:
Newport: Frequent daily buses to Telford (trains to Shrewsbury, Aberystwyth, Birmingham), Gnosall, Stafford; buses to other destinations
Gnosall, Haughton (short walk off route): Frequent daily buses to Telford, Stafford
Stafford: trains to Rugeley, Birmingham, London, Crewe, Stoke, Manchester, numerous buses, long distance coaches
Milford, Little Haywood, Colwich: frequent daily buses Stafford, Rugeley, Tamworth
Rugeley Trent Valley: trains to Tamworth, Stafford, Stoke, Hednesford, Birmingham, buses
Rugeley Town: trains to Birmingham, Stafford, buses
Brereton, Armitage: frequent daily buses Stafford, Rugeley, Lichfield (trains to Tamowrth, Coventry, Rugby, Birmingham)
Yoxall, Alrewas, Barton under Needwood, Branston: buses to Burton, Lichfield
Burton upon Trent: Trains to Tamworth, Birmingham, Derby, buses.
More information: West Midlands | National enquiry lines
Publications
- The Way for the Millennium. Staffordshire County Council, £3.50 + p&p. Order here!
Official spiral-bound guide with route description, extensive background information and clear mapping. - The Staffordshire Way & the Way for the Millennium. Accommodation and Information Leaflet, free. Order here!
Contacts
Region
Local authorities
Connecting routes
Parks and countryside
Maps
Path is shown on maps.
More about maps Visitor information
Accommodation
