We are the East Staffordshire Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in the East Staffordshire area to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
2016 marked 25 years since the first trees were planted in The National Forest, and as part of the anniversary celebrations, the Silver Circuit was created.
This lovely circular walk passes through Needwood Forest and down into the Trent Valley. It was designed to create a loop from the National Forest Way, which it follows between Tatenhill and the Trent & Mersey Canal.
Starting down in the Trent Valley by the canal marina, the route takes you on a low level walk into the vibrant village of Barton Under Needwood, before entering the Dunstall Estate. This rolling parkland landscape gives good views back across the Trent Valley. Our route climbs onto Tatenhill Common, before descending again to the valley floor.
We take a short diversion from the Silver Circuit to climb Battlesteads Hill. Sited at one end of the Tatenhill ridge we will see big views across the Trent Valley from the ridge-top path. The mature woodland in this area is attractive in all seasons and especially so in spring, when primroses, bluebells and violets carpet the woodland floor.
After returning to the Silver Circuit, a final stretch along the Trent & Mersey Canal is a relaxing finish to the walk.
Dunstall Estate compromises over 1,000 acres of land and has been passed through and bought by seven different families, starting with Robert De Ferrers in 1145. The magnificent Dunstall Hall that stands today was built on the original foundations of an older Hall which was rebuilt in the 1600s. One of the previous owners was Charles Arkwright, grandson of famous inventor and industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright. Other previous owners include Sir John Hardy, Sir Robert Douglas and Stan Clarke the famous builder (remember Clarke Quality Homes and St Modwen Properties?) and racehorse owner who won the Grand National in 1997 with his horse Lord Gyllene.
Battlesteads Hill is so named because it is reputed to be the site of a bloody battle between the Angles and Danes. Whether or not this is true it is certainly a great viewpoint from which to look over the Trent valley and the town of Burton on Trent.
Park in car park adjacent to The Waterfront pub at Barton Marina. The walk starts from outside the pub.
