We wandered around took a few pics then followed the footpath out again the way we had came in. we walked further down the lane then saw another opening inn the wall and thought it would bring us out behind the Lodge but it just brought us back to a few yards away from where we had been!!!
 |
| This weeks route starting from Ellastone |
 |
| Edge of the village |
 |
| /impressive gate posts |
 |
| They don't make dormers like this |
 |
| Lane down to the Lodge |
 |
| Doorway to the park |
 |
| Nice lake |
 |
| Ike ready to take off on his helipad. |
 |
| Look at the size of that tree |
 |
| Wootton Lodge which is owned by the Bamford family of JCB fame, although they don't live there, preferring there home in the Cotswold's or the Caribbean. |
 |
| The posts are grave markers for dogs |
 |
| Lovely avenue of trees. |
 |
| Wootton Lodge |
 |
| Wootton Lodge |
 |
Wootton Lodge is a privately owned 17th-century country
house situated at Wootton near Ellastone,Staffordshire,
England. It is a Grade I listed building.
|
 |
| Rob, Ike & Geoff |
 |
| Geoff at the hole in the wall |
 |
| Robs feeling the squeeze |
 |
| Wootton Lodge |
 |
| Wootton Lodge |
 |
| Me feeling the squeeze |
 |
| This is the lake where the JCB's just drive round and round. |
 |
| JCB on a test run |
 |
| Dont know what this building next to the lake was for. |
 |
| Nosey buggers |
 |
| Breakfast time, we saw the JCB go around the lake about 10 times while having our snap. |
 |
| Forest track |
 |
| The footpath goes under this tree |
 |
| Rob in the woods |
 |
| Coming back into the village of Ellastone looking like drowned rats |
 |
| Ellastone Church |
See you next week.
Hi, I live in Prestwood which is a tiny village very close to wootton and right next to the JCB testsite. I often walk my dog down to the testsite and round the big lake, but I haven't yet been able to find out how to get to Wootton estate and I'd be very grateful if you could please explain to me exactly how you got there, thankyou!
ReplyDeletegoogle maps , waste lane Ramshorn .... go down waste lane until you get to the entrance to the estate on your right . about 20 feet further on is the entrance through the wall behind the tree . hope this helps Jess .
DeleteLovely walk - thank you! Lots of sprise features. A pint and something to eat in the Duncombe Arms afterwards was great as well. The JCB test track was featured in the TV series Victory By Design. If you head down to the river weir after the test tracks, you should be able to see the remains of the 19thC Uttoxeter Canal - next time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this description. I'm currently working in Alton and had overheard people talking about walking around the JCB estate and test track, and was intrigued to do so myself. I did it today, using your route as a guide.
ReplyDeleteWootton Lodge is lovely to see in it's superb position surrounded by woodland. The test track lake is pretty, and there's a great view back up to the Weavers from the southern end of it.
One word of warning: there were 2 dozen young cows in a section of Wootton Park and they were very curious of us, and started to surround us at one stage which was quite nerve wracking. We had to ward them off with a fallen tree branch to feel able to safely complete this section.
It poured with rain during the second half of our walk too! Doubt I've ever been that wet!