Alton Castle

Although this once quiet village has been made famous world-wide by Alton Towers, one of Britain's top tourist destinations situated on the opposite side of the Churnet valley, it still has other attractions for the visitor.Alton Castle was built on the site of a Norman castle. It was begun in 1847 to a design by the architect Pugin (of Houses of Parliament fame). It is thought that the Earl of Shrewsbury wanted it constructed to house priests but Pugin was not enthusiastic about the idea of a castle to house priests and it was left incomplete. The castle is approached from the village walking on a bridge over the moat. The Catholic Church in Birmingham now owns it and uses it as a Catholic youth centre offering a variety of outdoor activities.The idea for Alton Towers came from the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury but Pugin was a great friend of the Earl's nephew, John Talbot, who succeeded him as 16th Earl.With Pugin's help he enlarged the house itself and was responsible for the construction of many of the Catholic churches in the area.Established as a residential youth centre by the Archdiocese of Birmingham, Alton Castle opened in September 1996. It has had a highly successful first 10 years with over 5,000 children visiting the Castle each year. It's popularity can be put down to the fact that the Castle is offering a unique experience that meets a real need within schools and community youth groups within the Midlands.At the Castle there is a clear spiritual emphasis. While every child regards Alton Castle as an amazing place when they see its towers, Gothic arches, wonderful stonework and turreted views over the Churnet Valley.

Amerton Railway

The Amerton Railway is a 2ft gauge line, set in the rolling Staffordshire countryside, and situated at the very popular Amerton Working Farm. The Railway is home to the 1897 Bagnall-built saddle tank Isabel which became such a part of Stafford life on her plinth outside the main Stafford Station. Now you can ride behind this historic loco, and others, over our mile long railway. Steam trains operate on Sundays and Bank Holidays from the end of March until the end of October. A diesel service runs on Saturdays from Easter until the end of August. There is also a limited diesel service mid-week during the main school holidays and of course Santa Specials in December. All services are subject to availability of rolling stock.

To find us travel along the A4091 from
either the A5 or the A446 and follow our signs.

Bantock House is a fantastic hidden treasure located deep within Bantock Park, just over a mile from the centre of Wolverhampton. In the house, Temporary exhibitions take place all year round, offering displays in a wide range of subjects.

Barlaston Hall
Mid-18th century Palladian villa reportedly designed by Sir Robert Taylor. The public rooms contain fine examples of 18th century plasterwork.  Extensive restoration was carried out during the 1990's.

Barton Marina inc Barton Waterfront

Bilston Craft Gallery is located 3 miles outside of Wolverhampton, and is only a 5 minutes walk from Bilston town centre.

The gallery is the largest dedicated craft venue in the region with a lively programme of exhibitions featuring the best in contemporary crafts.

Birches Valley Forest Centre

Birches Valley Forest Centre is an ideal starting point for a visit to Cannock Chase with car parking, toilets, adventure playground, walking and cycling trails and Birches Valley Cafe offering home made cakes, hot snacks and ice creams.If you are planning a longer stay there is also a class B caravan site for touring vans and motorhomes amongst the trees. The Centre offers a varied programme throughout the year for all ages, bike hire and 6,000 hectares of forest to explore. For further details on Birches Valley Forest Centre in Rugeley, Staffordshire see our website.

Bishop Asbury Cottage,
Newton Road, Great Barr B43 6HN.

BISHOP ASBURY COTTAGE CLICK

Brewhouse Theatre

The Brewhouse provides a venue for a wide variety of performing arts by both local and touring companies. There are workshops and a range of arts projects, a 250 seat theatre, studios, exhibition space and bar.

  Amerton
Stafford
Staffordshire
ST18 0LA
Email:     ahardy@thebwrc.co.uk

AMERTON FARM CLICK

The last working Victorian Pottery in England. Makers of fine English earthenware since 1851. We make a unique product from our 19th century Victorian pottery.We use a 200 year old decorating process of underglaze transfer printing.Famous for our Blue and White China !A  family business established in 1851 is still manufacturing a pure English earthenware product in the 21st Century.We have a rich heritage of design and craftmanship.We use ball clay from Devon; china clay from Cornwall and the unique skilled decorating process of underglaze transfer printing.We believe from our experience and insight we have gained the best of both worlds...from our rich archives and unique traditional decorating skills to our up-to-date country living look, we have achived the fullest potential from the beauty of our English products.We love our factory and our products and hope you do too!

This large town, straddling the River Trent, grew up around the monastery of St Modwen.  The monks started the wool industry and later the ancient market town became associated with the brewing industry.Brewing originally developed here because of the quality of the local water, which contains a high proportion of dissolved salts.  To preserve the quality of the water today much of the open land in and around the town is protected from chemical treatment. Internationally known as 'the brewing capital of Great Britain', Burton upon Trent currently has 5 brewers.  The Coors and Marstons ( Tel: 01283 507391 ) breweries have visitor centres, both offering a museum and brewery tour. Another of Burton upon Trent's great claims to fame is that it is the home of Marmite!  A by-product of the brewing industry, the savoury yeast-extract spead has been manufactured here since 1902.  Bovril, (originally a beef extract but now totally vegetarian) is also produced here. The combination of the Marmite and Bovril factories, together with the 5 breweries, gives Burton upon Trent its distinctive smell! The Trent Washlands in Burton upon Trent forms part of the National Forest.  This large area of the River Trent floodplain boasts a variety of habitats and has a wide range of wildlife.

Every day of our working lives is spent looking for new and exciting gardening products and gift ideas to make every visit to Byrkley Garden Centre a very special and rewarding one. Indoors or outdoors, Byrkley Garden Centre is brimming over with lots of wonderful things.And then of course there are all our wonderful people. Our department managers and their staff continually demonstrate their interest in making sure we add to your Byrkley Garden Centre visit by sharing their experience, passion and knowledge with you. Ask any of our people for advice about any of the indoor or outdoor products on display – you can always be sure of a very helpful response!Byrkley Garden Centre is a great place to bring the whole family. There’s always something for the whole family to see and do – and then finish your shopping adventure off with a delicious snack or meal in either The Garden Room Restaurant or our fabulous new “Seasons” at The Garden Room.

Cannock lies to the north of the Black Country and south of Cannock Chase. In the Middle Ages Cannock was an agricultural town and a weekly market has been held here since 1259.  Coal mining and iron smelting first developed here in Tudor times but the massive exploitation of the local coal seams began in the mid-19th century.New canal and railway links helped the rapid growth of Cannock's mining industry. Other industries, such as edge-tool manufacture, also developed here because of the area's coal reserves and its proximity to the Black Country. Coal mining reached at peak in Cannock in the 1920's but by the end of the 20th century the industry had vanished.  Littleton, the last deep-mined colliery on Cannock Chase, closed in 1993. The facinating history of the local coal mining industry is illustrated at the Museum of Cannock Chase in Hednesford.Since World War II Cannock has grown rapidly as a residential area.  Cannock's excellent transport links, and the beautiful surrounding countryside, have meant that the town has become an attractive commuter area for the urban areas of Stafford, Birmingham, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Castle Ring - Iron Age Hill Fort

Largest of seven Iron Age forts in Staffordshire. It was built between 500BC and 43AD and covers around nine acres. The fort has two lines of defence to the North, West and South West whilst there are as many as four ditches and banks on the Eastern side. It is also the highest point on Cannock Chase. (801 feet). Open permanently.

Chartley Castle

Chartley Castle is a large and impressive 13th century stone motte and bailey fortress, founded by Ranulph Blundeville, earl of Chester. Supported by the motte are the remains of a rare cylindrical keep, with the inner bailey curtain wall still strongly flanked by two huge half-round towers, a twin-towered gatehouse and an angle tower. A strong counterscarp bank and cross-ditch divides the inner and outer baileys, with another ditch and bank encasing the whole castle. Associations with Mary, Queen of Scots. Access by arrangement only.

Chasewater Railway

This volunteer run former colliery railway operates passenger trains from its principal station at Brownhills West, in Chasewater Country Park. Vintage steam and diesel trains run to Lakeside Wildfowl Reserve and to new stations at Chasewater Heaths and Chasetown (Church Street).

Cheddleton Flint Mill is a fine example of a water mill that ground flint for the pottery industry.  The site features two water mills, a small museum, a period cottage, traditional narrow-boat and many other exhibits.  The site is open to the public.The Cheddleton Flint Mill Preservation Trust was formed in 1967 to preserve the unique mill complex and provide educational information concerning the historical development of pottery raw materials. In 1972 the Trust widened its objectives to encompass more of Britain's Industrial Heritage and became the Cheddleton Flint Mill Industrial Heritage Trust.Between 1997 and 2000 we undertook a second major renovation of our Grade II* listed complex, with the aid of the Heritage Lottery Fund and donations from many other organizations. The buildings should now be structurally sound for many years to come, and much of the machinery is in good running order. One of our current goals is to expand our educational facilities and study packs for school visits, with the help of local teachers.