Some villages just get community right. Yoxall, Staffordshire is one of these. From the small and perfectly maintained parkland of Goose Green to the many welcoming pubs and well signposted footpaths this is a lovely place to visit. Being the next village along to us we’ve spent many hours stomping across the fields around the village. We’ve had a great time discovering the many hidden wooden creatures and family friendly additions. This is a walk we tried at the end of last year, at around four miles its easily manageable fo the whole family.
Yoxall Fields Walk details
You begin the walk in the village of Yoxall, try to park close to the Goose Green Community park. We always head in here to start any of our walks in Yoxall. We’ve loved watching the community transform it into the beautiful space it is today. Located behind the new houses next to the turn for the B5016 to Barton under Needwood, you can get up close to the River Swarbourn and enjoy the freedom of the enclosed grass space. There are several picnic benches here so it’s a good stop for lunch. This is a lovely area to let the little ones run free. But I would keep dogs on a lead, this bit is for the kids!
Once you’ve had your fill of Goose Green, head across the B5016, over the bridge. Take your first right down a small access road. You can’t miss it, it’s just before this beautiful black and white house. Continue down this track until you reach Old Manor House Farm and the first stile of the walk.
Cross the stile and continue walking along the path. You’ll come to a kissing gate, go through and you’ll meet another of the many characters on the walk. This one is a wooden stick man type of sculpture. The walk continues diagonally to the right from this. Through another stile.
This is where the path gets a little steep and when there’s been rain, incredibly muddy and slippy. Careful steps here! At the top of the hill you’ll see some steps off to your left. At the top you’ll find a gorgeous view point which looks right across the surrounding Staffordshire countryside. Take some time to stop and look at the posters for local wildlife you may see on your walk. This is another great place to pause for a picnic. You’ll have to retrace your steps back down the steps then continue along the path to your left.
Once you reach the end of this section of the path you’ll be heading into open fields. This is where you’ll meet the adorable wooden Were Rabbit directing you on your walk. This time we were following the 25 Acre Wood trail so you’ll be going slightly to the left.
Keep going across this field until you get to another stile, cross it and you’re back onto another footpath. This one was to the side of a field of beautiful cows when we visited. They calmly watched us pass over the gate.
At the end of the narrow path you’ll come out onto a small lane. There are a few options here to extend your walk or begin the loop back. We decided to head back so it was across the small brick bridge then across another stile to the left. Then back into some fairly overgrown fields.
Keep going across the fields, you’ll be keeping the river to your right. Eventually you’ll reach a small wooden bridge across the river. You’ll know you’re on the right path as you spot the marker poles tipped in yellow. Cross the bridge and then continue on up the hill over the next stile.
This will finally get you back into the field with the Were rabbit. It’s easy to then follow your steps back to Yoxall village.
Yoxall, Staffordshire Walk Details
Walking in Yoxall with dogs: Holly, our Hungarian Vizsla loves this walk. She can be off lead for most of it and there are plenty of sticks to chase and throw. Please make sure you pick up after your dog. You’ll find a dog mess bin in the village next to the entrance to Goose Green.
Length of walk: This walk across the fields in Yoxall is just under four miles.
Walk duration: It took us around an hour and a half to complete this circular route. We did stop a couple of times and went a bit wrong on our first try so you could probably do it quicker on a good day.
Difficulty: I wouldn’t class this walk as difficult, there aren’t too many elevations. However I would point out that when it’s been raining it does get very muddy and can be quite slippy. This one is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.
Facilities: Apart from a few benches there are no facilities on this walk. If you’d like to add a pub lunch before or after your hike then there are plenty of pubs in Yoxall. You could try the Golden Cup with a fun kids play area in the beer garden or the Foresters Arms which is a short drive away. Pubs are currently closed due to the UK lockdown, but I highly recommend the Foresters for amazing take out pork baps.
Car Parking: Parking in Yoxall is not the best, there aren’t any actual car parks to leave your car. We tend to find a space on one of the many side roads which is fairly easy or at a push on the car park at the Crown pub which is currently closed. If you do decide to park here, please make sure to pop in for lunch or drinks
If this walk sounds a bit long then you could always try this quick walk in Yoxall. Perfect if you’re short on time.
Once you’ve tried this walk why not try another one in the area. This one from the Deer Park farm shop is just down the road and is a great place to get a take out coffee to enjoy while you walk through the woods.
Make sure you pin for later for planning your next walk in Yoxall, Staffordshire.
