A selection of photographs of Blithfield Walks.
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The walks
We hope you will take time to look out for the creatures, trees and plants that live here as you walk along the paths and enjoy stunning views across the reservoir. All of the flowers and plants you will see on the walks are local to Staffordshire.
The paths include both easy walking and more challenging areas. You are welcome to bring dogs, but please keep them on a lead and clear up after them.
Walk one - approximate time to walk: 40 minutes
This walk is partially suitable for wheelchairs.
Walk One will take you through a mix of broadleaf and coniferous woodland planted during the early 1960s and including English oak, sycamore, maple, birch, scots pine and larch. Listen for the tapping of woodpeckers or the cry of a pheasant. In the winter, redwings, fieldfares, siskins and crossbills are to be found here. Look out for plants such as yellow rattle, golden dock, foxglove and orange foxtail.
Wander to The Dell, at the far end of the walk, and you will find a bird feeder station and hide where you can spend time watching the many varieties of birds as they feed.
Walk two - approximate time to walk: one hour
Walk Two begins in broadleaf woodland before traversing a field and over the Tad Brook Bridge where it crosses the Tad Arm - a main feed into the reservoir. From there the boardwalk goes through wetland, which has become home to more than 50 types of plant such as mugwort, tufted vetch and black medick, as well as being a popular haunt for colourful dragonflies, thanks to specially created dragonfly ponds.
At the end of the boardwalk you enter Broompit plantation, where another bird feeder station and hide are to be found, along with the remains of the old marl pits used in the building of the reservoir dam. Springtime visitors will also be greeted with the sight of a natural blue carpet in the bluebell wood.
Walk three – approximate time to walk: 90 minutes
Walk Three continues on from Walk One as it crosses the drive at the stone trough. The walk branches off into a wildflower meadow, cutting through its centre down to Stansley Wood. The woodland is carpeted with bluebells in spring - the path looping through the trees for the best view. The scenery changes dramatically past 'the petrified pond' as the reservoir comes into sight. Here walkers are directed into a field, as the reservoir track has no public access. On reaching Beech Tree Point, there is a bird hide and toilet.
Re-entering Stansley Wood, the path returns to the wildflower meadow. At the stone trough, the second half of Walk One can be used to return to the car park along the wheelchair-friendly path (via the Dell hide and feeder station) adding 20 minutes to the walk.
