Stoke-on-Trent
No need to potter in The Potteries - there's some great riding in the Midlands
No need to potter along, just because this route starts in the Potteries
There's more to Stoke than Port Vale FC, Robbie Williams and Royal Doulton. There are some cracking roads — well, through the surrounding hills, anyway. Yet as it’s tucked away between the Peak District and Wales, this isn’t an area that necessarily grabs the riding-destination headlines. That’s good, as it means quieter roads.
Our one-day ride heads out from Stoke towards Wales, looping back through Shropshire and across the atmospheric Cannock Chase and the quiet hills between Uttoxeter and Stoke. There are a few short stretches of busier A-roads but mostly we’re on quiet, charming backroads.
STAGE ONE
Stoke to Shrewsbury: 40 miles
From the Queensway roundabout (at J15 of the M6) in Stoke, take the A519 to Eccleshall. Stay on this road all the way to Newport. At the A41 roundabout, go straight across on the B5062 to Shrewsbury and Newport. At the T-junction, turn right then take the first left (at a mini-roundabout) to stay on the B5062 to Shrewsbury. Go straight over the staggered crossroads at the A442. At the mini-roundabout, turn right to stay on this road. Don’t miss the left turn opposite the pub in High Ercall, half a mile later, to stay on the B5062. At the A49 roundabout, go straight on if you want to explore Shrewsbury; otherwise turn left and take the A49/A5 bypass around the town.
Morning coffee: Bayston Hill services. Yes, we prefer Shrewsbury’s independent cafés but the services are just so convenient, with fuel and a choice of fast-food and coffee vendors.
STAGE TWO
Shrewsbury to Bridgnorth: 50 miles
From the A5 Shrewsbury bypass, take the A488 towards Bishop’s Castle. After 20 miles, turn left in Lydham on the A489 to Craven Arms. Turn right at the A49 and go into Craven Arms. Go straight across a roundabout, then at the double-roundabout turn left on the B4368 to Bridgnorth. When it meets the A458, turn right to Bridgnorth. Turn left at the roundabout to the town centre.
Lunch: The Winding House Tea Rooms. This tea room is associated with the Cliff Railway: expect good-value lunches, a bit of history and fine views from the terrace.
STAGE THREE
Bridgnorth to Cannock Chase: 35 miles
Leave Bridgnorth on the A442 to Telford. After about ten miles, go straight across the roundabout on the B4379 to Kemberton. When it meets the A4169, turn right to Shifnal. Go straight over the first roundabout in Shifnal and at the next one, take the third exit for the B4379 to Sheriffhales. Turn right on the A5 towards Cannock, go straight over the A41 roundabout and at the A449 roundabout turn left to Stafford. Don’t get lost in Penkridge: after the traffic lights, move into the right-hand lane, to turn into Mill Street by the traffic island that looks like a roundabout. Stay on this road until it meets the A34 and turn right to Cannock. Take the second left. Go over one crossroads and keep going to a T-junction; turn left to go back into Cannock Chase.
Afternoon tea: Birches Valley Café. Cannock Chase Forest is popular, especially with mountain bikers. The visitors’ centre has good parking and, better still, a great café.
STAGE FOUR
Cannock Chase to Stoke: 40 miles
Turn right out of the visitors’ centre and right at the T-junction to Rugeley. Turn right at the lights on the A460 to Cannock, then go over the first roundabout on the A51 to Lichfield. Cross the next one and at the third, bear left towards Kings Bromley on the A513. Stay on the A513 as it becomes the B5014 to Abbots Bromley. Stay on it as it becomes the B5013 and when it reaches the A518, turn left to Stafford. After one mile turn right on the minor road to Bramshall. When you get to the village turn left at the T-junction on the B5027. After eight miles turn right on the B5066 to Hilderstone. In Meir Heath turn left at the first roundabout, then go over the next one on the minor road to Barlaston. At the A34, turn right to Stoke.
Stay
Best Western Plus Moat House. This no-nonsense hotel has good facilities and secure parking in the city centre - ideal for getting out to explore Stoke.
See
Bridgnorth Cliff Railway. Proudly boasting of being England’s oldest and steepest inland electric funicular railway, the Cliff Railway gives an unrivalled view over this peculiar split-level town.
See
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. You can’t visit Stoke and not go to the Potteries Museum in Hanley. It’s a fascinating place packed with beautiful exhibits (ahem, great café too).
Route summary
Start/finish: Stoke-on-Trent
Distance: 165 miles
Riding time: 6 hours
Download the GPX file
Please note: This page contains the motorcycle touring routes for The RiDE Guide To Great Britain which was published in October 2017. These website pages are not regularly updated, so please check all critical information before you travel. All route files are in .gpx format. Garmin and BMW users can download the main file, which contains all the routes. TomTom users can either download the individual routes or use the MyRouteApp (depending on the age of your device).