At Great Haywood Junction, the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal meets the Trent & Mersey Canal. The paved bridge at the junction is a Scheduled Ancient Monument; Essex Bridge connects Great Haywood with Shugborough Park. Canals, historic crossings and parkland therefore provide several distinct starting points for a stay.
Canals, towpaths and wildlife watching
A walk along the towpath from Little Haywood to Great Haywood covers 1½ miles. This is different from the circular walk from Great Haywood, which crosses a small aqueduct over the River Trent. You can watch geese along the circular route; herons and kingfishers can also be spotted on the section alongside the River Trent. If you are looking for a route with named endpoints, you can follow the walk between Little Haywood and Great Haywood. If you prefer a circular route, the loop offers a different option, with the aqueduct and potential birdwatching as specific features.
Great Haywood also has a canal towpath. The waterways come into particularly clear view at the junction: two canals meet here, while the paved bridge, as a protected monument, provides its own historic point of interest. Visitors can also admire the traditional Brindley Aqueduct and historic architecture there.
Routes into the Shugborough parkland
The neighbouring Shugborough Estate encompasses 900 acres of Grade I listed parkland, with wildlife and monuments. The Staffordshire Way runs through the estate; footpaths connect it with towpaths along the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. A footpath north of the Church of St Stephen also connects Great Haywood with the estate. For a wider perspective, routes along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal connect Great Haywood and Kinver and pass through the estate’s extensive parkland.
Shugborough Estate also includes the Georgian mansion, the former servants’ quarters and Patrick Lichfield’s apartments. The historic Walled Garden was originally laid out in 1805. The estate thus brings together different aspects of history alongside its landscape and monuments; the paths and mansion offer different starting points for planning a visit.
Bridges and protected architectural heritage
Essex Bridge is distinct from the paved bridge at Great Haywood Junction: it is a 17th-century packhorse bridge connecting Great Haywood with Shugborough Park. More than 14 segmental arches and cutwaters on both sides characterise its design. The Great Haywood and Shugborough Conservation Area contains 39 listed buildings and one Scheduled Monument. It was designated on 22 November 1969 to preserve and enhance its special architectural and historic interest.
The Church of St Stephen also has a clearly defined building history: T. Trubshaw built it in 1840; in 1858, it was largely rebuilt by H. J. Stevens of Derby. It is designed in the Gothic Revival style, with Perpendicular details. The church welcomes visitors to services and social events. As local arrangements may change, check what is available before visiting.
Practical information for your visit
There is parking in Great Haywood; check the current parking arrangements before travelling. The Floating Market also visits Great Haywood regularly. If you would like to plan your visit around it, check the specific dates in advance, as the schedule may change.
Discover more destinations: Ashley, Dunston, Madeley, Burntwood, Brocton, Stone, Coven, Gayton.
Return to the main travel overview: Staffordshire.
