COUNTRYSIDE TO THE WEST OF THE VILLAGE

The land immediately to the West of Perton village is almost wholly agricultural and is farmed by the

Johnston Brothers of Wrottesley Lodge Farm. The Johnston family came to the area in 1947 and has

gradually acquired additional land formerly part of the Wrottesley Estate. The land is well managed with

careful crop rotation and the occasional introduction of sheep.  Hedges are always well maintained as is

that part of the Staffordshire Way which crosses the land.  The main crops are wheat, barley and sugar beet.

September 2003.  Jim Johnston preparing the new drilling          The assembly on the front of the tractor is to act as a

                     machine to sow winter wheat.                                                   counterweight to the drilling machine.                

WALKING ACCESS

The Staffordshire Way

Up the farm lane at the Brownies Nursery – through the gate and up the track to join the Staffordshire Way

There is an excellent walking amenity accessible directly from the village.  The Staffordshire Way is a series of

linked footpaths and bridlepaths running from Cannock to Kinver passing within half a mile of Perton Village. 

To join the Way, go down St Andrews Drive from the Parkway. Then go to the end of  Hoylake Road where there

is a footpath access to Wrottesley Park Road which passes the village to the West.  Cross the road and go up the

farm lane (it is a Private Road but a Public Footpath) at the Brownies Garden Nursery. Half way up the lane on the

left hand side is a ‘Dutch Barn’ which, it is said, was used to train bomb-aimers. The trainees were harnessed and suspended from

the roof to look down on a rolling map of Germany and targets for attack. (I find this hard to believe. If anyone has more

information on the training of bomb aimers please email brian@pertonvillage.co.uk)

Where the lane turns right go through thegate and up the track.  At the top of the track at the field gate, the Staffordshire Way goes right to

Codsall and Cannock and left towards Seisdon, Enville and Kinver. Look out for remains of the old Dutch Army camp if you go in the Codsall

direction. (See also The Monarch’s Way below)

A detailed booklet The Staffordshire Way is obtainable from Staffordshire County Council for about £1.

There is also a copy in the local reference section of Perton Library.

The Monarchs Way - See - www.monarchsway.50megs.com and www.wychewaycountrywalks.co.uk/monarchs_wayx.html

This long distance walking route, follows that taken by King Charles II after the Battle of Worcester 1651. He was pursued by Oliver Cromwell’s

forces and first travelled North, where he famously hid in the oak tree at Boscopel, and then South through The Cotswolds and The

Mendips to the South Coast and then escaped to France. The route North is the same as that of the Staffordshire Way through the Perton Parish.

It joins the Staffordshire Way at the bottom of Toad’s Nest Lane (the path South where the Way crosses the Perton/Pattingham lane) then

comes North, passes the golf course, Cranmore Lodge Farm, Wrottesley Hall. Then across the A41 and down Shop Lane to Oaken where the

route leaves the Staffordshire Way for Boscopel. The route South from Boscopel is via Tong and Kemberton.

(For more information see The Monarch’s Way Book 1 – by Trevor Antill – obtainable from Perton Library)

.

Smith's Rough (See photo – Bluebell Walk)

Near the Pear & Partridge public house, on the opposite side of the road, is another pleasant walking amenity.  

This is a recently completed development by South Staffordshire County Council, and consists of a network of footpaths

through woodlands.  The area can be accessed from opposite the public house, via a style near the roundabout on

Wrottesley Park Road or via Hoylake Road as for the Staffordshire Way referred to above.

The Old London to Holyhead Road

There is a bridle path which crosses Wrottesley Park Road between the farm shop and the traffic lights on the

A41 Holyhead Road. This path runs from the Wergs to Wrottesley Hall and is the line of the old London to

Holyhead coach road.  Today it joins the Staffordshire Way.

PERTON WALKERS

Page compiled by Brian

Revised November 2005