Hob Hill

Hill, Mountain in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Hob Hill

Crossroads at Knightley The crossing of Riley Lane and Lodge lane close to the village of Woodseaves. — Crossroads at Knightley Credit: Trevor Littlewood

Hob Hill, located in Staffordshire, England, is a prominent and picturesque hill that forms part of the Staffordshire Moorlands. Rising to an elevation of approximately 1,000 feet (305 meters), it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and has become a popular destination for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers.

The hill is characterized by its gently sloping sides and is covered in vibrant green grasses, wildflowers, and scattered patches of woodland. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including heather, gorse, and various species of birds, making it an important site for wildlife conservation.

Hob Hill has a rich history and is known for its connection to folklore and legends. Local tales speak of mythical creatures, such as hobgoblins and fairies, who were believed to have inhabited the hill and its surrounding areas. These stories have added to the allure and mystique of the place, attracting visitors interested in exploring its mythical past.

The hill is easily accessible via footpaths and trails, which wind their way through the Staffordshire countryside, offering stunning views at every turn. Visitors can choose to embark on a leisurely stroll or take on a more challenging hike to reach the summit, where they will be rewarded with panoramic vistas of the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Overall, Hob Hill, Staffordshire, is a captivating natural landmark, offering a blend of awe-inspiring scenery, cultural heritage, and opportunities for outdoor activities, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a unique and memorable experience in the heart of England.

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Hob Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.817102/-2.2924105 or Grid Reference SJ8024. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Crossroads at Knightley

The crossing of Riley Lane and Lodge lane close to the village of Woodseaves.

Trevor Littlewood

Christ Church at Knightley

Christ Church is located along the B5405 close to the village at Woodseaves.

Trevor Littlewood

Shropshire Union Canal

View from the High Bridge.

Richard Webb

A muddy field

Silage has just been taken off this field, and vehicle movements have made things muddy. A lone tree in the middle of a field is often a sign that there was once a hedge there.

Richard Webb

The Cock Inn at Woodseaves

Row17

Workshops at Norbury Junction

Row17

Shropshire Union Canal - just north of Norbury

Row17

Woodland near the Shropshire Union Canal

Row17

Arable fields east of Norbury, Staffordshire

Seen from the Shropshire Union Canal, the woodland ahead is Little Campions; that by the right edge is Moat Covert.

Roger Kidd

Arable fields east of Norbury, Staffordshire

Seen from the Shropshire Union Canal, the woodland at the right edge is known as Little Campions. Straight ahead and more distant are Gorsey Covert and Ball's Rough, on the skyline.

Roger Kidd

Across the fields to Norbury Manor

The main manor house, and barn conversions, at Norbury.

Richard Law

Norbury Manor house

A fine Georgian style manor house, built using much of the masonry from the ruined 14th century house that originally stood within the nearby moat.

Richard Law

The original location of Norbury Manor

The square platform within this moat was the base for the 14th century Norbury Manor. It was built by Ralph le Botiller in the early 1300s, and sold to one Thomas Skrymsher in 1521. In the 1700s, it changed hands again, passing to George Anson of Shugborough in Staffs, but was in a generally poor state of repair by that time, and fell into disuse soon after. Demolition followed in the 1800s, and much of the masonry was re-used to build the current house a couple of hundred yards away SJ7923 : Norbury Manor house (Info from the on-site signage by Natural England)

Richard Law

New barn under construction

A large new barn is currently being built at the back of the existing buildings on this farm.

Richard Law

Barns, pallets and machinery

An assortment of farming paraphernalia in the tidy yard.

Richard Law

High Bridge 39 Shropshire Union Canal

The Shropshire Union Canal (from Autherley to Nantwich) was engineered by Thomas Telford and opened in 1835. There are long straight sections of this canal which required either embankments or cuttings to avoid the need for locks. Although this was a more difficult procedure, the end route was shorter and the progress for horse drawn working boats could be maintained with (hopefully) no stoppages. The canal (formerly the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal) was opened at a time when railways were making serious inroads into the canal companies' businesses. The current Shroppie north of Nantwich was formerly the Chester Canal, opened in 1779, and has wider locks and bridges. Boats up to nine feet in beam can still navigate this section; Telford's canal accommodates only narrowboats up to seven feet in beam.

Jo and Steve Turner

High Bridge 39 Shropshire Union Canal

Jo and Steve Turner

High Bridge near Norbury, Staffordshire

Shropshire Union Canal. This strange looking bridge (No 39) is in Grub Street cutting, and carries the A519 between Newport and Eccleshall. This is yet another of the many cuttings (linked by long embankments) that Thomas Telford engineered in order to build his canal as straight as possible with as few locks as possible, thus allowing working boats the least delay possible as they attempted to combat the growing competition from the railways in the mid 1830s when this canal was opened.

Roger Kidd

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Hob Hill is located at Grid Ref: SJ8024 (Lat: 52.817102, Lng: -2.2924105)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire