Cotton Dell

Valley in Staffordshire Staffordshire Moorlands

England

Cotton Dell

Standing stone and sheep opposite The Cross public house at Hoften&#039;s Cross near Cauldon. Not marked on the map but the stone may well be Bronze Age or thereabouts. — Standing stone and sheep Credit: Roger W Haworth

Cotton Dell is a picturesque valley located in Staffordshire, England. Nestled within the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this serene and enchanting destination is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The dell is characterized by its lush greenery, towering trees, and crystal-clear streams that meander through the landscape. The peaceful atmosphere and tranquil ambiance make it a popular spot for those seeking solace and relaxation in nature.

Visitors can explore the valley by following the various walking trails that wind through the area, offering breathtaking views at every turn. The trails range in difficulty, catering to both casual strollers and avid hikers. Along the way, visitors may encounter an abundance of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and small mammals.

Cotton Dell also boasts a rich history, with remnants of the area's industrial past still visible. The valley was once the site of a cotton mill, which operated during the 19th century. Today, visitors can observe the ruins of the mill, providing a fascinating glimpse into the region's industrial heritage.

The dell is a popular destination for nature photography due to its idyllic scenery. Photographers can capture the beauty of the valley, its vibrant flora, and the play of light and shadow that dances through the trees.

Overall, Cotton Dell, Staffordshire is a hidden gem that offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether it's for a leisurely walk, a picnic, or simply to appreciate the beauty of nature, this valley provides a truly enchanting experience for all who visit.

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Cotton Dell Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.01612/-1.9111493 or Grid Reference SK0646. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Standing stone and sheep

opposite The Cross public house at Hoften's Cross near Cauldon. Not marked on the map but the stone may well be Bronze Age or thereabouts.

Roger W Haworth

Ye Olde Star Inn

a 16th century inn in Star Bank, Cotton, Staffordshire

Roger W Haworth

Cotton College

Cotton Lane, Cotton, Staffordshire. This Roman Catholic boarding school Link

closed in 1987. The buildings are derelict. The spire on the right is St Wilfred's Roman Catholic Church which is still in use.

Roger W Haworth

Church of St John the Baptist

Cotton Lane, Cotton, Staffordshire. Link

This charming little church built in 1795 is tucked into a corner and virtually surrounded by St Wilfred's Roman Catholic Church and SK0646 : Cotton College.

Roger W Haworth

Interior of Oakamoor Church

Geoff Pick

Geocache stash and landscape

This is a picture taken after finding a geocache, a new and fantastic hobby discovered after submitting pictures to this site. The picture shows the field and side of forest shown on the map. The tupperware box is what we found buried about 100 yards away. Get out there and get geo - "graphing" and "caching"!

Richard cattel

Entrance to Trubshaw's Tunnel

Trubshaw's Tunnel was dug for the 1847 Caldon Low railway. The railway was a self-acting inclined plane, where empty wagons travelling upward were attached by a cable via a brake drum at the top of the plane to wagons loaded with limestone travelling downwards.

Ian Calderwood

Edgewells Farm

Ian Calderwood

Moneystone Quarry

Moneystone quarry is in the process of being extended and is very busy with trucks coming and going every few seconds.

Mike Bardill

Moneystone Quarry

Moneystone sandstone quarry is extremely busy and traffic lights control trucks and quarry vehicles crossing this access road. All of the stone is taken out by road, and lorries thunder in and out every few seconds. The map shows a link to the railway line in the valley below, which is now the Churnet Valley preserved railway. This is no longer used to transport quarry goods but it would seem to be a much better way of shifting large loads of stone around.

Mike Bardill

Moneystone

Moneystone is a quiet hamlet high up on the moors near Oakamoor. This view looks idyllic and it is hard to believe that just a short way down the road is a massive and very busy sandstone quarry with streams of trucks thundering along the little lanes.

Mike Bardill

Oakamoor Church

Oakamoor Holy Trinity church is built on a very steep slope to the southwest of the village. It dates from 1832.

Mike Bardill

Oakamoor Village Centre

Oakamoor lies in a steep wooded valley in the Staffordshire moorlands. At one time it was served by both a canal and a railway. The canal has long since gone but the railway track bed still exists. To the south the track is now a pleasant multi-user trail to Alton. To the northwest it connects to the Churnet Valley preserved railway with the prospect that one day the line might be extended once more into Oakamoor.

Mike Bardill

Crossroads at Threelows

This crossroads at Threelows sees a lot of traffic heading to and from the theme park at Alton Towers a few miles down the road. The sign is for The Star camping and caravan site at Cotton.

Mike Bardill

Cauldon Lowe

This is the main street through Cauldon Lowe village. The village is set high up on the Staffordshire moorlands. Just over the road to the north are the massive Cauldonlow limestone quarries.

Mike Bardill

Industrial Units at Moorside near Cauldon Lowe

These industrial units are at Moorside near the village of Cauldon Lowe in the Staffordshire moorlands. The high location enjoys extensive views over the moorlands towards Cheadle.

Mike Bardill

Footbridge over the 1847 Caldon Low Railway

The footpath was obviously important enough in 1847 to justify a footbridge but is now heavily overgrown. The Caldon Low railway was a series of self-acting inclined planes, where empty wagons travelling upward were attached by a cable via a brake drum at the top of each plane to wagons loaded with limestone travelling downwards.

Ian Calderwood