🌤Wetton 9 miles🌸Manifold Way🌸Calton🌸Castern Hall🌸Manifold Valley🌤

We start our walk from the characterful Wetton Village, a stone built village in the Manifold Valley. It sits above Wetton Mills and close to Thor's cave..

Leaving Wetton Village, we head up to the Manifold Way and the rocky outcrop of Beeston Tor..
We join the Manifold Trail and our route follows until we leave it at Calton Village..

The Manifold trail follows the Rivers Hamps and Manifold from Hulme End to Waterhouses, around 8 miles long, with limestone cliffs and wooded areas along the route..
The Manifold Way follows the route of the disused Leek and Manifold Light Railway..
'The meanders' or many folds of the River Manifold, gave it its name..
In dry spells the river disappears underground via the swallets or sink holes south of Wetton Mill to re-emerge in the grounds of Ilam Hall..

Calton is a small village in the Staffordshire Moorlands surrounded by beautiful countryside..
The village has a population of around 300 people and is known for its picturesque setting..
The historic St. Mary's Church dates back to the 12th century, a Grade II listed building..
The church has beautiful stained glass windows and impressive architecture, the churchyard is home to a number of historic graves and monuments..

Our route continues away from Calton Village and heads over pastures and through woodland..

Here we make a decision to divert a short way to Ilam Hall for Toilets and a coffee break..

Otherwise, we continue our route and join a track which takes us up to the 18th century Castern Hall, a film location for Peaky Blinders..

Leaving Peaky Blinders, our route heads up through pastures towards the steep sided Manifold Valley, a deep wooded limestone valley that follows the disused Leek and Manifold light railway and parts of the River Manifold far below us, as we walk high above the valley, there are stunning views all around us..

Our path leaves the Manifold Valley and our chosen route heads over pastures back to Wetton Village where we started our scenic walk..

Toilet facilities at the start in Wetton and possibly at Ilam Hall

This is a moderate walk with undulating paths, but also a couple of gentle ascents

Walking boots are essential as well as a warm layer for our stops and breaks
Check the weather as always and dress accordingly

Catching up points and plenty of breaks as always

Bring a picnic lunch water and plenty of snacks to keep you going

Look forward to sharing another adventure with you all 🚶‍♀️🐕👨‍🦯👩‍🦯🦮🐄🐏🐄🐑