Link to Map of start point

If you were to walk along the top of Clayton Road near the roundabout which leads on to Wesbury Park estate, and then on down into Northwood lane, you would be forgiven for thinking that the area is now one big housing project. Well, hidden behind the houses and the Garden Centre is a treat for those who want to get out of the urban sterility and just take a walk in the countryside for an hour.

I started on Northwood Lane. About four hundred yards from the roundabout there is a little Close called Northwood Close. At the bottom you will find a gate which leads you to a path. The path is quite steep but easily manageable (especially as you are going down the hill) This takes you  down between some huge old oaks and past Leas Wood   which is on the left about thirty metres along. You could take a diversion into the wood, which is a bit of a thicket, but with some determination you could explore it. Carrying on down the hill, if you look through the breaks in the undergrowth to the left, you will be able to see the beautiful buildings of Clayton Wood Farm and the lovely pastures in front of it.

At the bottom of the hill you will be able to see the sports fields

and buildings of the Michelin Club. Here you come on to the driveway to Clayton Wood Farm. The right-of-way here is a little bit confusing as it was a bit vague on my map, but I took a left here and walked up to the Farm gate where you turn right through the fence. You now have to skirt around the farm (keeping the white fence to your left) until you come to the path on the other side. You will know if you have the right path as there are pastures on the left of it and the sports fields on the right.

This is where this walk comes into its own. As you gradually leave behind the traffic noise from the A500, the path turns into a lovely rural scene, with pastures to the left behind which is Fox Covert, and trees and shrubs, especially hazel, on both sides of the path.

 

Venturing further along you will come to Dark Wood on your left.

This is an excellent place to explore and is easily accessible. It is also probably the best wood in the vicinity to see bluebells. They are coming out now and I am reliably informed that by the middle of May it will turn into a vast carpet of blue -unrivalled in the area. Dark Wood and Fox Covert (which joins it at the top of the hill), are excellent places to just wander about taking in the nature around you. If you are keen on flora you may be able to spot dog violet, wood sorrel and Anemone nemorosa (aptly meaning anemone of the woods). There are plenty of roaming paths around the woods, all of which are in quite good condition and are well-worn. While there, you could be forgiven for imagining that you are way out in the countryside. It’s so peaceful and tranquil that the illusion is complete. There may be some slight traffic noise from the roads but that doesn’t spoil the soothing effect of the place. If you want a quick route back to Clayton road you can carry on up through the woods which will bring you out at the back of the Community Centre sports pitch.

I recommend carrying on along the path at the bottom though, as there is still more to see.

As you progress along the path you come to the bottom of Northwood Nurseries which seems to have been taken over by a adventure paintballing business, judging from the signs on the trees. When I was there though, I couldn’t see or even hear any signs of would-be Rambo’s running around and jumping through the undergrowth. The whole area is fenced off anyway so that innocent bystanders can’t accidentally get caught in the crossfire - which might ruin your day.

As the path takes a turn left you start to ascend  to Clayton Road. It is still at this point a peaceful and enjoyable walk, and the path isn’t too challenging. You start to raise out of the slightly boggy flat land - which used to be a marsh - to the  left of a small picturesque stream which runs down the hill. Birds flit here and there and I’m sure that if you stayed quiet for a little while, you would spot some of the more timid wildlife that inevitably inhabits this kind of setting.

Progressing on up the hill you pass beds of wild garlic on the banks and marsh marigolds can be seen. At the top you pass the restored buildings of Clayton Farm and arrive in ‘The Green’ on Clayton Road and back into civilisation.

This short walk is a wonderful way of spending an hour and really gives you the opportunity of getting a taste of the countryside without having to go too far to get there. There is plenty of flora to see, and if you are feeling in an adventurous mood there are a few delightful woods to ramble around.

A note on footwear - if you go after a rainy period then you may need waterproof boots a it can be a bit boggy down at the bottom of the path.

The woods are a little treasure for the community and long may the planners keep their hands off them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walk 4 - Black Wood Clayton

Newcastle under Lyme