Rudyard Lake Steam Railway - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Rudyard Lake is a haven of peace and tranquility, the two-and-a-half-mile-long lake was created more than two centuries ago to supply water for the then-expanding canal system of the West Midlands. The lake is still used for many water activities such as boating, canoeing, fishing and also for walks and recreational steam train trips.

The dam at Tittesworth was constructed across the River Churnet between 1959 and 1963, to provide for increased water demand in Leek, Stoke on Trent, and the surrounding area. The reservoir has a wide range of wildlife. There is an information area, exhibition, restaurant, shop, play area, water-saving garden, bird-watching hides, and trails.

Cheddleton Flint Mill is a fine example of a water mill that ground flint for the pottery industry. The site features two water mills, a small museum, a period cottage, the canal and many other exhibits. The site is open to the public. There are actually two mills: one was purpose-built to grind flint for use in the pottery industry, and the other was converted to the same purpose from use as a corn-mill. The mill complex includes a miller's cottage, two flint kilns, a drying kiln and outbuil

The National Trust's Biddulph Grange Garden is a landscaped Victorian garden, located near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.These gardens let you follow paths, steps, and tunnels on a global journey from an Egyptian Court to a Chinese landscape based on the Willow pattern, and a Himalayan glen. This Grade I listed garden is one of the most exciting survivals of the great age of Victorian gardening.

Knypersley Reservoir is a canal feeder reservoir near Biddulph in Staffordshire. It is located south-east of Biddulph and named after the local Knypersley area. The reservoir was built in 1827 to supply water to the Caldon Canal, along with two others at Stanley Pool and Rudyard Lake. There are actually two adjacent lakes at the site, the upper one being the Serpentine Pool which feeds the lower Knypersley Pool or reservoir.

Coombes Valley in Staffordshire is a wonderful free place to go for nature rambles. See wildflowers including bluebells and migrant birds in spring. Spot basking lizards and colourful butterflies through summer and into autumn when the leaves turn colour. There are trails, regular children’s events and activities. It is also home to the nationally scarce argent and sable moth, a priority species in the UK's Biodiversity Action Plan.