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Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
West Midlands Region
Staffordshire
Staffordshire Moorlands
Kingsley

Froghall Wharf Lime Kilns – Black Lion Pub, Consall Forge loop from Froghall

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
West Midlands Region
Staffordshire
Staffordshire Moorlands
Kingsley

Froghall Wharf Lime Kilns – Black Lion Pub, Consall Forge loop from Froghall

Moderate

4.7

(7)

14

hikers

Froghall Wharf Lime Kilns – Black Lion Pub, Consall Forge loop from Froghall

03:25

12.4km

200m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 18, 2026

Waypoints

A

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1

554 m

Lock 1, Uttoxeter Canal at Froghall Wharf

Highlight • Bridge

Lock No.1 of the Uttoxeter canal is located at Froghall Wharf.

The Uttoxeter branch of the canal is derelict, but the first lock and basin at Froghall have been restored by the Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust and re-opened on 23rd July 2005.

A bequest by Christine Vernon was made to the Inland Waterways Association which provided money for mooring pontoons and new stone to restore the first lock and basin of the Uttoxeter Canal.

The Uttoxeter Canal was a thirteen-mile extension of the Caldon Canal running from Froghall as far as Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, England.

It was authorised in 1797, but did not open until 1811.

With the exception of the first lock and basin at Froghall, it closed in 1849, in order that the Churnet Valley Railway could be constructed along its length.

Such is progress, I guess.

Tip by

2

726 m

Froghall Wharf Lime Kilns

Highlight • Historical Site

Limestone was brought to the wharf by tramway from the quarries at Caldon Low. Here it was burnt in these kilns to produce quicklime, or put directly onto canal barges for shipment to the potteries at Etruria.

Tip by

3

8.50 km

The Devil's Staircase is situated in Consall Woods in Staffordshire. It consists of 200 thigh-burning steps that lead you through oak trees, wetlands and deep woods.

Tip by

4

8.72 km

A very happily situated pub near to the lime kilns.

Inside it has an open log fire (always a plus!).

We didn't try the food but when we finally got near to the bar (it is very popular and maybe a little understaffed?) next to the ales were samples of each.

Outside are plenty of benches you can rest on and watch the steam trains pass by or just to take in the tranquil surroundings of the Churnet Valley and the Caldon Canal.

Tip by

5

9.23 km

The timber walkway beneath was replaced last year too.

It has been done to a fantastic standard.

It is heartening to see these glorious canals maintained so well for the current and future enjoyment of hikers and bikers.

Tip by

6

9.62 km

Flint Mill Lock (Lock 17), Caldon Canal

Highlight • Historical Site

This is the seventeenth and last lock on the Caldon canal. Like all locks on this canal it is a single width lock (approx 7' 6"). 

The Caldon canal is properly known as the Caldon branch of the Trent & Mersey canal, opened in 1779.

The canal runs from the junction with the Trent & Mersey canal at Etruria to its terminus at Froghall which is 17 miles in total. At Hazlehurst the Leek branch runs for 2 1/2 miles to its terminus at Leek.

The Uttoxeter branch used to leave the canal at Froghall but is now disused apart from the basin and first lock at the junction.

Tip by

7

10.0 km

Made by the railway company to make space for the railway line.

It was made using recycled materials and on some of the posts you can see grooves from the horse tow ropes.

Tip by

8

10.8 km

Cherryeye Bridge No. 53

Highlight • Bridge

The gothic arch of Cherry Eye Bridge is a splendid sight, but it is its name that gives a hint to this now tranquil region's industrial past. It is named after the red eye that the 18th-century iron workers suffered from dust particles thrown into the air by the various industrial processes.

In its 1730 heyday, the Churnet Valley's works produced an annual 150,000 tonnes of ironstone. The Consall Nature Park is full of vestiges from this booming era.

Tip by

B

12.4 km

End point

Bus stop

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.71 km

4.62 km

2.60 km

421 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.92 km

3.78 km

2.15 km

1.48 km

871 m

173 m

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Elevation

Elevation

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Weather

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Sunday 5 July

24°C

14°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

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