Activities and places to visit near to our holiday cottage:
- Alton Towers Theme park – 2.6 miles
- Alton Towers Waterpark – 2.6 miles
- Golf course (Whiston Hall pay and play) – 1 mile
- Cycle Routes – 1 mile to dismantled railway from Alton to Denstone (approx 9km, flat, very easy)
- Horse riding – 8 miles
- Leisure Centre / swimming pool – Cheadle South Moorlands 3 miles
- Alton Towers Spa – 2.6 miles
- Zoo – 3 miles (pictured) to Peak Wildlife Park
- Churnet Valley Steam Railway – 2 miles
- Canal boat day trips and hire
- Pubs/tea rooms/ restaurants - there are loads
- Theatres, museums
- National Trust properties and gardens (nearest Sudbury Hall, Ilam Hall, Biddulph Grange - pictured)
- Trentham Gardens - gardens, shopping, restaurants
- Reservoirs with boating and sailing facilities (Carsington Water, Rudyard Lake)
- Market Towns – Cheadle, Leek, Ashbourne, Buxton, Stoke-on-Trent, Uttoxeter
- Antique Centres – Ashbourne, Leek
- Walking - footpaths and trails all around
- Dove Dale and the Stepping Stones- 4 miles (pictured)
Guide to local places around Barks Holiday Cottage (updated April 2024)
Shopping & Services in Cheadle (4 miles, ST10 1EZ): Morrisons, ASDA, B&M, local shops, veterinary services, and the Pugin Church.
Always check for updates: Verify opening times and available services directly with the providers.
Local Walks & Outdoor Activities:
From Barks Cottage: Start at our doorstep and explore local trails. Details at Churnet Valley Walks: churnet-valley.guide/walks. See also our Favourite Walks guide in the Welcome Pack.
Oakamoor Picnic Ground and Churnet Way: Ideal for walking and cycling along the Churnet Way disused railway. Directions: Turn left at the top of our track, left at the T-junction, right at The Cricketers pub, over the narrow bridge, and left after the bridge. Main parking on the left; further on for dog-walking and cycling.
Dimmingsdale Wooded Walks: Featuring Ramblers Retreat tea rooms (ST10 4BU). Follow the directions to Oakamoor, go right over the narrow bridge, and take the next left into Red Road for parking.
Froghall Picnic Ground: Home to Hetty’s Tea Room, the Caldon Canal basin, heritage sites, and Caldon canal towpath. Wheelchair access may require a key from the Canal River Trust. Park and walk the canal to the Black Lion (see below).
JCB Lake, Rocester: Offers a one-mile, surfaced path around the lake, great for bird watching.
Tittesworth Reservoir: Features walks, play areas, tea rooms, and nearby Lazy Trout pub.
Mountain Biking: True North Adventures: Check for mountain biking adventures. See my post on Cycling at Barks
Popular Attractions:
- Peak District National Park: Includes Ilam Hall (National Trust parkland walks and tea room, DE6 2AZ) and The Stepping Stones at Dovedale.
- Churnet Valley Railway: churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
- Peak Wildlife Park: 01538 308880, peakwildlifepark.co.uk
- Trentham Estate: Half an hour away with gardens, park, monkey forest, shopping, and restaurants, trentham.co.uk
- Alton Towers: Theme park, spa, waterpark, treetop adventure, crazy golf.
Dining & Pubs:
- Whiston Hall Hotel: Great views and food, just a walk across the fields. Call 01538 266260.
- Thornbury Hall, Kingsley: Pakistani Rasoi, Call 01538 750831.
- The Yew Tree, Cauldon: Full of curiosities, featured on TV. Call 01538 309876.
- Black Lion (blacklionpub.co.uk). Iconic location where the steam railway and canal meet.
- The Bridge: Benny's Thai food. Table enquiries 07769 844777
- The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone: A sophisticated gastropub experience. Call 01335 324275.
- The Talbot, Alton: known for an impressive range of gins. Open daily. Large riverside garden, space heaters. (snacks, not dining, but same place as The Bridge)
- The Star, Cotton (01538 703655) won an award for food in 2024.
- The Fox and Goose, Ipstones,(01538 266415)
- Tea, Coffee & Ice Cream:
- Ramblers Retreat, Dimmingsdale: Dog-friendly with outdoor seating. More info at ramblersalton.co.uk
- Hetty’s Tea Room, Froghall: Enjoy canal-side seating.
- Denstone Hall Farm Shop: Ideal for a snack after walking the old railway. Outdoor seating for dog owners.
- Dalton’s Dairy, Wootton: Honesty shop for local treats. Coffee hut and ice-cream spinner at peak times. Start and finish point for a walk on Weaver Hills.
Medical & Veterinary Info:
- GP Practice: Waterhouse, call 01538 308207.
- Walk-In Centre: Check latest times before visiting, located in Leek.
- A&E Locations: Available in Newcastle-under-Lyme or Derby.
- Local Veterinary: Rogers Brock & Barker in Cheadle, call 01538 753127. McMurtry & Harding, Ashbourne, 01335 753227