Gnosall Heath

Park at or near the boat in. Go over the canal bridge and immediately, take the first stile on the left, leading down to the towpath. Walk away from the bridge and village (south) towards a dark patch of the canal overshadowed by trees and pierced by a dark tunnel. You pass picnic benches before you reach Quarry Tunnel, named after the sandstone above it. Walk through the tunnel looking at the metal posts at the edges of the bridge, caused by wear from the ropes of the horse drawn barges.

Go under three more bridges and as you reach the fourth bridge (bridge 26) gain the road here, turning left along it and enjoy a quiet walk flanked by mature oak and hazel trees. Ignore the next right, following the sign to Church Eaton. Before you reach the Royal Oak pub in the village turn right along Woodeaton Road. Carry straight on until you see a signpost and go left towards Cowley and Goosemoor. Follow this lane, across the canal again to rusty white railings at a T-junction.

Turn right and after passing a reed-fringed duck pond and crossing the canal, turn immediately left along a broad wooded track (the Kingfisher Trail). Stay on the track be careful here on the left very slippery edges you will then reach a sunken lane. Carry straight on ignoring the track over the canal and observing Gnosallquarry on your right to emerge back at the start.