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Trysull's vineyard

Recommended by

Our view

"A splendid escarpment walk taking in a surprisingly successful South Staffordshire vineyard."

Walk directions

From All Saints Church, head north along The Holloway for 100yds (91m) and, just after crossing a small brook, turn left along Church Lane. This soon becomes a farm track, then a hedged path that may be muddy after heavy rain. Emerging at Seisdon, turn left along the road (there is no pavement here, so exercise caution), and then take the first road on the right, Post Office Road.

Follow this road all the way round to a T-junction with Fox Road. Turn left, then immediately right at a bridleway signpost. Follow this track past the crumbling sheds of Woodcote. At the top of the lane (Staffordshire Way marker), go through a swing gate to continue along a narrower dirt trail with a hedge to the left. At the corner of the hedge follow the path left around the edge of the field and then immediately right up to a metalled farm driveway, Wolmore Lane.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Roads, grass and dirt trails, gravel tracks, several stiles

Landscape - Village, farmland and escarpment top

Dog friendliness - Keep on lead near livestock

Parking - Roadside parking in Trysull; also Hunters Green near village hall

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Staffordshire

About the walk

The Halfpenny Green Vineyards is situated on the southern-facing slopes of Upper Whittimere, to make the most of the sun all year. The area was first planted in 1983 with the idea of producing wine for personal consumption, but the fine quality of the results led to it becoming a thriving business;... and an astonishing 50–60,000 bottles are produced here every year. The vineyard is one of hundreds in the UK, most of them in the south of England or south Wales. Winemaking is enjoying something of a revival in this country, thanks largely to improved methods and a rigorous application of science in overcoming the problems of drought, disease and lack of sunshine. Since the Romans cultivated vines here almost 2,000 years ago numerous attempts have been made to make English vineyards a viable alternative to their continental counterparts, but almost without exception these efforts ended in failure. It wasn’t until after World War II that research chemist Ray Barrington Brock set himself the mission of discovering which varieties of grape could cope best with the vagaries of the British weather. His work inspired others to follow suit, and in 1955 the first English wine to be made commercially since World War I went on sale. Since then, there has been a steady increase in the number of vineyards and labels. However, in recent years this trend has levelled off, partly because many vineyards were established with little knowledge of the science involved. It has been said that the best way to earn a small fortune is to start with a large fortune and buy an English vineyard. Today though, there are numerous thriving vineyards throughout the south, despite the fact that in England only two years in every ten are ‘good’ years, with four average and four poor, again largely due to problems associated with weather. The most successful vineyards are well-sited with respect to sunlight and soil, grow appropriate varieties for the conditions, and are managed as scientific and commercial enterprises. Wines labelled as ‘British’ are made in the UK from imported wine concentrate and are usually of poor quality. To be labelled ‘English’, wines must be made from grapes grown in England, with the wine itself also made in England. Time was when turning one’s nose up at English ‘plonk’ was justified, but if the wine at Halfpenny Green is anything to go by, domestic wine is now flowing more strongly than ever.

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About the area

Staffordshire features lofty moors, deep dales and tremendous views of both. Further south are the six sprawling towns that make up Stoke-on-Trent, which historically have had such an impact on Staffordshire’s fortunes, not to mention its culture and countryside.

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

6.25 miles (10.1kms)

Ascent:

270ft (82m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

Find more walks in Staffordshire

Trysull's vineyard

Recommended by

Our view

"A splendid escarpment walk taking in a surprisingly successful South Staffordshire vineyard."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

6.25 miles (10.1kms)

Ascent:

270ft (82m)

Walk directions

1 of 5

2 of 5

Turn left along this to a T-junction, then right along Tinker’s Castle Road. At the top of the hill, just before Tinker’s Castle house with its mock battlements, head left up a path between a wall and a fence. The path runs ahead along the wooded ridge top for 1.25 miles (2km) to join the B4176. The road ahead continues the walk, but first, opposite the junction, head right along a wide field track (signed as a public footpath) to visit Halfpenny Green Vineyards (where there’s a tea room and restaurant, gift shop and craft centre). Return to the B4176 and (arriving from the vineyard) recross the road, then turn right along it for 50yds (46m), then turn off left at a footpath sign.

3 of 5

Go straight across the middle of the field to a stile, cross a track, then follow the hedge just to your right in the same direction. At the far right-hand corner of this field keep going straight on, aiming for a very large holly bush in the hedge ahead. Go through a wide gap in the hedge and bear slightly left on a faint field path, crossing the bank of a former hedge and down to a stile onto Crockington Lane. (If this field is impassable because of crops, you can bear right along the hedge to Fiershill Farm, but this means a longer walk along the road into Trysull.)

4 of 5

Turn right along Crockington Lane for 100yds (91m), before turning left through a kissing gate. Go straight on across this field to the far side and then down a track between houses to Seisdon Road. Turn right here, back to the start.

5 of 5

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Roads, grass and dirt trails, gravel tracks, several stiles

Landscape - Village, farmland and escarpment top

Dog friendliness - Keep on lead near livestock

Parking - Roadside parking in Trysull; also Hunters Green near village hall

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Staffordshire

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

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Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Staffordshire

Trysull's vineyard

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Walking in Safety

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Trysull's vineyard

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Walking in Safety

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