Cloughhead Wood

Wood, Forest in Staffordshire Staffordshire Moorlands

England

Cloughhead 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

Cloughhead Wood is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Staffordshire, England. It covers an area of approximately 200 acres and is situated near the village of Cloughhead. The wood is nestled within the rolling hills and valleys of the Staffordshire Moorlands, providing a tranquil and idyllic setting for visitors.

The woodland is primarily composed of native tree species, such as oak, beech, and birch, creating a diverse and rich habitat for a variety of wildlife. The dense canopy of the trees provides shelter for numerous bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds. In addition, the woodland is home to small mammals like squirrels and foxes, as well as a variety of insects and butterflies.

Cloughhead Wood offers a network of well-maintained footpaths and trails, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty. These paths wind through the wood, passing by ancient trees, babbling streams, and peaceful clearings. The wood also boasts a small picnic area, providing an opportunity for visitors to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

The wood is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, walkers, and families looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its accessibility and proximity to nearby villages make it an ideal location for a leisurely stroll or a day out in nature.

Overall, Cloughhead Wood is a charming woodland that offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of Staffordshire. Its diverse flora and fauna, well-maintained trails, and serene atmosphere make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to connect with nature.

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Cloughhead Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.034314/-1.9611873 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

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

The Fox & Goose, Foxt

The Fox & Goose seems an appropriate name for this attractive pub in the village of Foxt. It has spectacular views across the Churnet valley.

Stephen McKay

Moorings at Froghall

Some things defy understanding. Here at Froghall a canal basin has been restored capable of taking several full sized boats on the tiny stretch of what remains of the Uttoxeter canal. The moorings are excellent. But there is a huge snag. The only way boats can get here is to navigate the height restricted Froghall Tunnel - so it is only accessible to a small proportion of the craft currently using the canal network. Unsurprisingly on this May morning there was not a boat in site.

Stephen McKay

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Cloughhead Wood is located at Grid Ref: SK0248 (Lat: 53.034314, Lng: -1.9611873)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Staffordshire Moorlands

Police Authority: Staffordshire