If you would like to combine cultural history with a walk in Eccleshall, there are specific points of interest to explore: Eccleshall Castle and the Church of the Holy Trinity stand alongside several walking routes, which also include sections through the town. Walk 1 in particular links country lanes, Elford Heath and the historic High Street. You can tailor your visit to your own interests—architectural history, landscape, or both.
Historic Buildings and Places of Remembrance
Eccleshall Castle is a quadrangular castle; historical records date back to its construction. The historic monument also includes a 14th-century bridge, the moat and an adjoining body of water. The bridge and moat thus complement the castle as part of the historic monument.
Different historical details stand out at the Church of the Holy Trinity: the chancel, arcades and tower mostly date from the 13th century. The church also contains the graves of four Bishops of Lichfield. The architectural features and graves offer two different points of interest for a visit focused on cultural history: the building’s history and religious remembrance.
Eccleshall Memorial Cross also commemorates the history of the community. The cross remembers the men of the community who fell in war and was dedicated in 1921. Additions relating to the Second World War were later made; the memorial is Grade II listed. Eccleshall’s history also includes the former industries of glassmaking and leatherworking. The town’s history therefore extends beyond its preserved historic buildings to the trades that once played a role.
Walks Between the High Street and Elford Heath
The six Eccleshall Bench to Bench Walks lead around Eccleshall, with public benches serving as places to rest. Walk 1 is a circular route and is approximately 5,289 metres, or 3ÂĽ miles, long. It follows country lanes and crosses Elford Heath, passes the Church of the Holy Trinity and goes through the historic High Street.
Along this High Street are 18th-century houses, a library, cafés and a clock. Walk 1 thus combines rural sections with several of the town’s historic features mentioned here. If you would rather include different streets and paths in the town in your walk, Walk 6 offers a different route description: it follows Castle Street and footpath 12, passes the church and goes through the High Street. You can distinguish between the two walks by the sections described, rather than choosing between them solely because they are in the same town.
In addition to the six Bench to Bench Walks, the parish of Eccleshall has more than 130 public footpaths, maintained by the Parish Council. Route conditions and leaflets may change, so check the latest information for your planned route before setting out.
Green Spaces, the Market and Events
Elford Heath has picnic benches, woodland, a pond and an open area. Since Walk 1 crosses Elford Heath, this landscape is one of the circular route’s specific stops. Town Meadow offers a different green aspect of the town: this area in Eccleshall is a well-preserved historic green space.
The events calendar can also play a part in planning when to visit. The Tern Valley Vintage Vehicle Show is held annually in Eccleshall. The Eccleshall Show is a traditional agricultural show that attracts visitors from a wide area. As event arrangements may change, check the dates for your planned travel period.
A farmers’ market featuring local produce is held in Eccleshall on the fourth Saturday of every month. The market schedule may also change, so check the date if you would like to plan a visit. Restaurants and cafés in Eccleshall serve food. This gives you different options when planning: local produce at the market, meals at restaurants or cafés, and—if the dates work out—one of the local events.
Discover more destinations: Brewood, Burntwood, Cheddleton, Leek, Trentham, Flash, Long Compton, Branston
For the main travel guide: Staffordshire.
