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CHURNET VALLEY - 03/08/03

Today we visit the Churnet Valley, located south of Leek in Staffordshire, just off the A520 road that heads south from Leek. The area is probably best know for the Churnet Valley Railway. We just visit the area around Cheddleton Station today, the weather is warm, about 25˚C, dry and sunny.

Photos above of the Cheddleton Railway Station, it is a steam railway run by volunteers and runs from Leek Brook through Cheddleton and Consall to Kingsley & Froghall.
There is a small museum at the station, as shown in the photos above, centre and left. Unfortunately we arrive too late today to enjoy a train journey, you can see further details and fares at www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk as well as details of the special events held on the line.
We enjoy a meal at the Boat Inn as shown in the photo on the right, the pub was awarded the Staffordshire Canalside pub of the year award in 2002, its a busy place today, especially the beer garden with the warm weather!
The Caldon Canal runs parallell to the River Churnet here. The canal was opened in 1779 and was used to carry Limestone. Feeder reservoirs for the canal, which runs into the Trent & Mersey Canal include the recently visited Rudyard Lake and Knypersley Pool at Greenway Bank Country Park.