Sutton Plain

Wood, Forest in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Sutton Plain

Sign and stile to a public footpath
Sign and stile to a public footpath Credit: Row17

Sutton Plain, located in Staffordshire, is a scenic woodland area known for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Spanning over a vast expanse, the plain is characterized by dense forests, tall trees, and lush greenery. It serves as a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering a wide range of recreational activities and an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The woodland in Sutton Plain is predominantly composed of various species of deciduous trees such as oak, beech, and birch, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. The forest floor is covered with a thick carpet of ferns, wildflowers, and mosses, adding to the enchanting ambiance of the area. The abundance of wildlife in Sutton Plain is also a notable feature, with deer, squirrels, and various bird species being commonly spotted.

The plain offers several walking trails and paths, making it an ideal destination for hiking and nature walks. These trails wind through the forest, providing visitors with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and opportunities to discover hidden gems along the way. Additionally, Sutton Plain is home to a number of picnic areas and designated camping spots, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural setting.

Sutton Plain, Staffordshire, is a sanctuary of natural beauty, offering a peaceful retreat for those seeking solace in nature. Its picturesque woodlands, diverse flora and fauna, and recreational opportunities make it a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those in search of tranquility amidst the Staffordshire countryside.

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Sutton Plain Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.78407/-2.3410869 or Grid Reference SJ7720. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Sign and stile to a public footpath
Sign and stile to a public footpath
A41 Newport bypass in cutting
A41 Newport bypass in cutting
Blacklane Bridge, Newport Branch, Shropshire Union Canal, 1965 In 1965 this abandoned canal looked as if only a little work could restore it. Sadly this is far from the case now. The bushes and mound on the right must have been bulldozed into the canal which is now level with the fields, and the lock beyond the bridge has gone, although the bridge survives, apparently in good condition. This was bridge 5 on the branch, and oddly carries Cliffs Lane, not Black Lane.
Blacklane Bridge, Newport Branch, Shropshire Union Canal, 1965
In 1965 this abandoned canal looked as if only a little work could restore it. Sadly this is far from the case now. The bushes and mound on the right must have been bulldozed into the canal which is now level with the fields, and the lock beyond the bridge has gone, although the bridge survives, apparently in good condition. This was bridge 5 on the branch, and oddly carries Cliffs Lane, not Black Lane.
Forton nursery Clearly the village's former school house, this now serves as a children's nursery. It was opened in 1972.
Forton nursery
Clearly the village's former school house, this now serves as a children's nursery. It was opened in 1972.
Forton Hall A Jacobean house, dating from 1665, and given a Grade II* listing in <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-443411-forton-hall-forton-staffordshire" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-443411-forton-hall-forton-staffordshire">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> It was built by Edwin Skrymsher of Eccleshall, who also had <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/566469">SJ7719 : Aqualate Hall</a> erected.
Forton Hall
A Jacobean house, dating from 1665, and given a Grade II* listing in LinkExternal link It was built by Edwin Skrymsher of Eccleshall, who also had SJ7719 : Aqualate Hall erected.
The old canal heading for Norbury Junction After falling into disuse before the 1960s, this branch of the Shropshire Union canal that ran from Norbury Junction through to Trench, Wappenshall and the East Shropshire coalfield, has now been filled in. I find this rather sad.
The old canal heading for Norbury Junction
After falling into disuse before the 1960s, this branch of the Shropshire Union canal that ran from Norbury Junction through to Trench, Wappenshall and the East Shropshire coalfield, has now been filled in. I find this rather sad.
Bridleway gate and fence south of Sutton Yes, it was as muddy as it looks, the cattle in the fields here had seen to that.
Bridleway gate and fence south of Sutton
Yes, it was as muddy as it looks, the cattle in the fields here had seen to that.
There's no avoiding it... Try as we might (and Daft Dog didn't try very hard), walking through here on the bridleway means that you're going to get filthy. All good fun.
There's no avoiding it...
Try as we might (and Daft Dog didn't try very hard), walking through here on the bridleway means that you're going to get filthy. All good fun.
The west side of Thistleyfield Covert These cattle are responsible for some fine muddy stretches in the field to the left, but this end of it seemed rather more grassy.
The west side of Thistleyfield Covert
These cattle are responsible for some fine muddy stretches in the field to the left, but this end of it seemed rather more grassy.
Bridleway on the south side of Thistleyfield Covert This area borders part of the Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve, which surrounds the mere itself. It's leased from the estate by Natural England, and has a network of bridleways providing access around the reserve.
Bridleway on the south side of Thistleyfield Covert
This area borders part of the Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve, which surrounds the mere itself. It's leased from the estate by Natural England, and has a network of bridleways providing access around the reserve.
Bridleway heading towards Aqualate Mere Daft Dog remains on the lead, as the next field holds a flock of sheep that he's not yet spotted.
Bridleway heading towards Aqualate Mere
Daft Dog remains on the lead, as the next field holds a flock of sheep that he's not yet spotted.
Bridleway alongside Thistleyfield Covert A good bridleway runs right along the south side of the wood, fairly firm underfoot/tyre/hoof. The same cannot be said of the same bridleway further west approaching Forton, which is a proper mud-fest in places at this time of year.
Bridleway alongside Thistleyfield Covert
A good bridleway runs right along the south side of the wood, fairly firm underfoot/tyre/hoof. The same cannot be said of the same bridleway further west approaching Forton, which is a proper mud-fest in places at this time of year.
Bridleway bridge near New Guild Although barely visible due to the undergrowth, and the fact that much of it has been washed out & collapsed, a traditional arched packhorse bridge crosses this tiny stream.
Bridleway bridge near New Guild
Although barely visible due to the undergrowth, and the fact that much of it has been washed out & collapsed, a traditional arched packhorse bridge crosses this tiny stream.
Bridleway through the woods This woodland floor is a riot of bluebells in the spring.
Bridleway through the woods
This woodland floor is a riot of bluebells in the spring.
Aqualate Mere Or, rather more accurately, a distant view of the mere. From the north side, it's actually quite hard to get to, as the mere is very shallow generally, and the shore is marshy for a long way out. So it's a case of wade, or put up with a distant view.
The mere itself is an Ice Age relic, a large kettle hole that formed when a remnant piece of the glacial icesheet remained embedded in the till, melting more slowly than the surrounding glacier. When it finally disappeared, it left a depression in the land which has been filled with water ever since.
Aqualate Mere
Or, rather more accurately, a distant view of the mere. From the north side, it's actually quite hard to get to, as the mere is very shallow generally, and the shore is marshy for a long way out. So it's a case of wade, or put up with a distant view. The mere itself is an Ice Age relic, a large kettle hole that formed when a remnant piece of the glacial icesheet remained embedded in the till, melting more slowly than the surrounding glacier. When it finally disappeared, it left a depression in the land which has been filled with water ever since.
The bridleway back towards Forton Dry and pleasant at this end where it runs through the Nature Reserve and adjacent to the woods; it's rather a quagmire in places towards Forton.
The bridleway back towards Forton
Dry and pleasant at this end where it runs through the Nature Reserve and adjacent to the woods; it's rather a quagmire in places towards Forton.
A track down to the lane A farm track, but also a part of the bridleway network that runs around the northern side of the Aqualate Park and mere.
A track down to the lane
A farm track, but also a part of the bridleway network that runs around the northern side of the Aqualate Park and mere.
The bridge over the Wood Brook
The bridge over the Wood Brook
Show me another place!

Sutton Plain is located at Grid Ref: SJ7720 (Lat: 52.78407, Lng: -2.3410869)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire

What 3 Words

///campsites.imposes.mimes. Near Newport, Shropshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.78407,-2.3410869
Source: landsat
Lat/Long: 52.7836597/-2.3466695
Source: landsat
Lat/Long: 52.7836233/-2.3448513
Source: landsat
Lat/Long: 52.7833246/-2.3428837
Source: landsat
Lat/Long: 52.7829269/-2.3410965
Source: landsat
Lat/Long: 52.7832352/-2.3385344
Source: landsat
Lat/Long: 52.7830379/-2.3355421
Source: landsat
Lat/Long: 52.7823197/-2.3343287
Fixme: footpath continues
Lat/Long: 52.7853583/-2.3378664
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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