Massey's Wood

Wood, Forest in Staffordshire Staffordshire Moorlands

England

Massey's Wood

Harston Wood Harston Wood, a nature reserve of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. The start of the footpath through the wood. — Harston Wood Credit: David Weston

Massey's Wood, located in Staffordshire, is a picturesque forest area known for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Covering a vast expanse of land, this woodland is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.

The wood is named after the Massey family, who were the original owners of the land. It is nestled within the heart of Staffordshire and is characterized by its dense vegetation, towering trees, and diverse wildlife. The wood is home to a variety of tree species, including oak, birch, and beech, which create a dense canopy overhead, providing shade and shelter for the many animals that inhabit the area.

The woodland offers an array of walking trails and cycling paths, allowing visitors to explore its natural wonders at their own pace. These trails wind through the forest, providing glimpses of the vibrant flora and fauna that call Massey's Wood their home. Birdwatchers, in particular, will be delighted by the numerous species of birds that can be spotted here, including woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds.

In addition to its natural beauty, Massey's Wood also holds historical significance. The area has been inhabited for centuries, and remnants of ancient settlements and structures can still be found scattered throughout the forest. These historical artifacts add an extra layer of intrigue and fascination to the wood, making it an exciting destination for history buffs and archaeology enthusiasts.

Overall, Massey's Wood in Staffordshire offers a tranquil and captivating experience for those seeking a connection with nature and a glimpse into the region's rich history.

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Massey's Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.03738/-1.9658971 or Grid Reference SK0248. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Harston Wood

Harston Wood, a nature reserve of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. The start of the footpath through the wood.

David Weston

Tramroad through Harston Wood

The line of a former tramroad, looking west, downhill along a steady incline. The tramroad carried limestone from quarries at Caldon Low, westwards to Froghall Wharf at the end of the Caldon Canal.

David Weston

Froghall Wharf

The end of the Caldon Canal. The lock in the foreground leads to the canal basin.

David Weston

Lime kilns at Froghall Wharf

Lime kilns, long disused, near the canal wharf.

David Weston

End of Caldon Canal, Froghall Wharf, 1978

Looking from the extreme end back towards the partly derelict warehouse. This was later restored with some alteration, it is a grade II listed building.

Robin Webster

Churnet Valley 2021 Christmas Polar Express

Brian Deegan

Kingsley & Froghall trains

A preserved railway line near Leek in Staffordshire, running from Froghall up the valley to Cheddleton with one intermediate stop at Consall, and (since 2011) on an extension to a former quarry at Cauldon Low, where as of 2012 there is no station. The society has plans to connect to the national network at Stoke-on-Trent. The lines were originally constructed by the North Staffordshire Railway (the "Knotty"). According to one writer, "the buildings on the Churnet Valley line are of local stone, straightforwardly neo-Tudor, and effective" [Lloyd & Insall, "Railway Station Architecture", David & Charles 1978, p.17].

Ralph Greig

Bridge 52, Caldon Canal

Bridge 52 carries the towpath across the canal, changing from the left to the right hand side.

Stephen McKay

Cherryeye Bridge, Caldon Canal

Presumably the Cherryeye name comes from the unusual shape of the bridgehole. This furthest stretch of the Caldon Canal east of Flint Mill Lock is exceptionally narrow and is similar in some respects to the Llangollen Canal west of Trevor.

Stephen McKay

Caldon Canal, Froghall

Lattice Cottage overlooks the Caldon Canal, near its end just west of Froghall Tunnel.

Stephen McKay

Froghall Tunnel, Caldon Canal

Froghall Tunnel is only 76 yards (69 metres) long but its very low profile means that it is an impenetrable obstacle to most modern narrowboats. To ensure boats do not enter and then get stuck there is a profile gauge hanging over the tunnel mouth. Another gauge is provided at Flint Mill Lock to give boaters forewarning so oversized boats should not get this far.

Stephen McKay

Kingsley & Froghall Station

The southern terminus of the Churnet Valley Railway looks immaculate in the late afternoon sunshine although things are not quite what they seem. Firstly, although this might look like a country station, it was built to serve an area of heavy industry with limekilns and a copper works nearby (the latter did not close until 2014). After closure, the station buildings were demolished in 1968 and the new building is a replica using some original material. It was opened in 2004 by Pete Waterman, the well-known record producer and railway enthusiast.

Stephen McKay

Kingsley & Froghall Station - running in board

Interestingly, the Churnet Valley Railway has chosen to use replica LMS signs for the running in boards (the larger signs used at the ends of the platforms, a practice largely discontinued on the modern railway) rather than the later British Railways style. The LMS usually angled these slightly outwards and that has been done at the other end of the platform.

Stephen McKay

Kingsley & Froghall Station

This second platform at Kingsley & Froghall was restored by the Churnet Valley Railway in 2008 to include the replica waiting shelter. The overall effect has been to create an authentic period feel. Perhaps only the 'volunteers needed' banner could not have been part of the scene 70 years ago.

Stephen McKay

Woodcutters Row, Foxt

Adjacent to the steep road up from Froghall to Foxt is a terrace of cottages called Woodcutters Row including, at the east end, the former pub seen here. See also SK0248 : The Woodcutters' Arms and Woodcutters Row which suggests the pub ceased to be operational sometime in the 1960s.

Stephen McKay

Entering Foxt

The Staffordshire village of Foxt, high above the Churnet Valley, has an unusual name of Olde English origin. This is the approach heading up the hill from Froghall.

Stephen McKay

New Cottages, Foxt

These terraced houses look as they should belong in an industrial town rather than on the edge of a tiny village in the Staffordshire hills. Still, they enjoy a spectacular view down into the valley.

Stephen McKay