Wedgwood and Barlaston Downs

From the level crossing, end of the platform, bear left and just before approaching the narrow bridge over the Trent and Mersey canal there’s a stile on the left. Cross it and walk slightly left across the field to the railway track. Go over the tracks with extreme care. Your way ahead, slightly to the right of the wood. Cross the stile and walk the short distance to the green gate at the head of a pleasant pond. Go through the kissing gate and continue ahead upwards along a well-defined path over two stiles and another kissing gate before reaching the road at Barlaston.

Cross over the main road and on your right is a car park and toilets. Go ahead towards Barton Land Welfare Home but after a few meters there’s a kissing gate leading on the right. The path keeps close to the fence on the right and is well trodden all of the way to Barlaston Downs also known as Down Banks. Go through the next kissing gate to rougher pasture, then bear slightly left and head gently upward to a track. Cross this and there’s a stile next to the barred gate. Cross this stile and continue ahead over the bridge to another stile. There are good views over the Trent from here. You can see Tittensor Chase and Hill, with its monument to the Duke of Sutherland. Cross the stile into Downs Bank, land owned by the National Trust.

Continue ahead along the high level path at first. This eventually turns left into the valley and down some steps to crossroad paths. Turn right and follow the beautiful stream awhile until it comes to a ford. At the road turn right. This lane is fairly quiet, but there are one or two sharp corners, so be on the lookout for cars. It takes you to Meaford Locks. Bear right on to the towpath from the road and follow this past the remains of the power station towards Barlaston. Proceed along the towpath to Wedgwood. Your exit is Bridge 104. Retrace your steps to the railway station.