Rambling around Shugborough and Cannock Chase

Rambling around Shugborough and Cannock Chase

Led by Kate Down, this walk was a fascinating tour of the history of this area = and only part of that history

Our walk started with a visit to the Triumphal Arch. Why was it there? Thomas Anson inherited the hall and gave up his Law practice to take a tour of far flung places such as Egypt and Greece. This is how he realised that Shrugborough needed the influence of the architectures seen on that trip.

But he didn't have the money. Fortunately his younger brother George had a very profitable career in the Royal Navy – partly from capturing a ship loaded with silver bullion!

Brother did well – became an Admiral and eventually First Lord of the Admiralty, and the Arch reflects his successes.

To get to the Arch we had to cross the Trent Valley railway – this is in a cutting and then a tunnel so that it is not visible from the main building at the land owners request.

The walk the continued on to the Chase – there are several long distance paths passing through the Chase and many other footpaths.

The weather was sunny! Hence the coffee break close to Frieda's grave. This was a dalmatian which was the mascot for the New Zealand Riflemen stationed there in the 1st World War.

Moving on through the Chase, over the Stepping Stones and reaching Seven Springs stopping there for lunch.

The next bridge was over the River Trent – bearing the name Weetman – locally now more recognisable as a fleet of HGVs based nearby.

Within a few hundred yards there are 2 railway bridges and between them the Trent & Mersey canal, which we used to walk back to the Shrugborough Estate. This is where we crossed the Essex bridge – the longest Woolpack bridge in the UK even afterit had been shortened! Local folklore has it that the Earl of Essex had the bridge built for QE1 to join him at his castle at Chartsley.

Final picture is for a serious debrief at the Shroppie!