The Staffordshire countryside is an amazing place for a weekend hike. The small village of Yoxall in East Staffordshire is one of my go to places to start get out in nature. This is a round up of my favourite Yoxall walks from the super quick to longer and more challenging. Let me know if you try one or if I’ve missed your favourite.
Make sure you join the Marvellous Midlands Walks Facebook Group where you can share your favourite routes, photos and recommendations for walks in the Midlands. It’s also a great place to ask for recommendations and find inspiration for your next hike.
One down by the river
I love this river walk in Yoxall it begins in the centre of the village and continues down to the river Swarbourn. You’ll pass some adorable wooden creature on the way and there’s a lovely bench to sit and enjoy a picnic. It’s a circular walk which isn’t too tough on the knees. Although it does get super muddy after rain.
Length: 3 miles
Time: Just over an hour.
My daughters favourite Yoxall walk
This field walk in Yoxall, Staffordshire is a great one if you want to encourage the kids to get out into the countryside. You’ll meet a couple of wooden sculptures on the route including this were rabbit to encourage you on the way. Kids will also love the fact that this walk takes you past a nature viewpoint and past several farms so there’s heaps of wildlife to spot. Again this is a loop so you’ll start and end in the village.
Length: Just under 4 miles
Time: One and a half hours.
Heather Rose Woods, Yoxall
Heather Rose Woods on the outskirts of the village is a relatively new find for us. I don’t think we’re unusual as it always feels empty. These relatively new woods are up near the Foresters Arms which is a great place to enjoy a drink or some food `after your hike. You can also extend this walk up into Yoxall Lodge should you fancy more of a challenge.
Length: 3 miles
Time: Just over an hour
Our quickest walk in Yoxall
Probably the shortest on the list is this quick walk in Yoxall. Starting at the village triangle it skirts around the edge of the village taking in some gorgeous field views and sweet countryside lanes. We often do this one on our lunch break and it’s just long enough to soak in the great outdoors before jumping back on the laptops.
Length: 2 miles
Time: 50 minutes
Jacksons Bank
There are loads of options for walks around Jacksons Bank and its super easy to drive to from Yoxall. Just 5 minutes along the A515 followed by a left turn towards the Meynell. Jacksons Bank is a beautiful wooded area and part of the National Forest Way. You can follow one of the many well signposted routes or follow my short and simple route which takes in the beautiful woods, before heading down to the Meynell Ingram Arms for a restorative pint.
The Deer Park, Yoxall
The newly opened Deer Park is currently my favourite place for a take out coffee and mooch around the farm shop. They’ve also recently opened up the woods behind the farm making it a lovely place for a sunday stroll. It’s a five minute drive down the country lanes behind Yoxall, super easy to get to. A quick walk around the woods will take you less than an hour or you can follow this walk from the Deer Park which is a little longer heading down to the Meynell then cutting across the fields up to Hoar Cross Hall.
Length of Walk: Three and a half miles.
Time: one and a half hours.
Brankley Pastures Nature reserve
Brankley Pastures is a hidden away nature reserve just off Dunstall Lane. There’s a really well signposted routes taking you around the edge of the reserve. which, although muddy is pretty easy to do. This is also a great place to see the bluebells when there in season. Follow this quick route around Brankley Pastures nature reserve. It should take you just over an hour.
The Dunstall Estate
Although a little further to travel – a full 7 minutes to the Co op in Barton Under Needwood a visit to the Dunstall Estate is a must at any time of year. It always feels impossibly quite for such a stunning location and we’ve discovered loads of different routes around the estate and surrounding countryside. Have a look at this walk through the Dunstall Estate we completed last summer.
The National Forest Way for a real challenge
Did you know that Yoxall is on the National Forest Way? This is a 75 mile route across the Midlands taking in some of the amazing villages, countryside and woodlands the area is known for. This is not one to complete in one day but can easily be broken down into sections, including a couple that include Yoxall. You can see the full National Forest Way Route here.
What’s your favourite of all the Yoxall walks? I have I missed any? Let me know in the comments below.
