Stokies Stride Out
Stoke-on-Trent Walking Festival
Sunday 15 to Sunday 29 October 2017
Join us over two weeks this autumn for more than 80 free, fun and friendly guided walks, all led by experienced walk leaders. There’s something for everyone in this year’s festival; whatever your age, ability or interests.
All our walks can be found at www.stoke.gov.uk/events or visitstoke.co.uk
Or get in touch at: travel.smart@stoke.gov.uk
Here are the details of some of the walks that you can enjoy with your children.
Westport Lake Walk – Tuesday 17 October
Level: Easy
Start Time: 2pm
Length: 1 hr
Location: Westport Lake Café, Westport Lake Road, Longport ST6 4RZ
Join us on a flat canal, lake and woodland walk at one of the city’s most popular local beauty spots. Lakeside and canal paths are wheelchair friendly.
Closer to Home
Wheelchair accessible, Children welcome with an adult, Pushchair accessible, Dogs allowed on a lead, Toilets available
Orienteering at Central Forest Park – Saturday 21 October
Level: Moderate
Start Times: 11am, 12 noon or 1.30pm
Length: 1hr – 2hr
Location: Central Forest Park, Chell Street, Sneyd Green ST1 6BB
Are you fairly good with maps? Or do you want to get better? Have fun finding the new marked posts in Central Forest Park near Hanley. It’s all free. You’ll get an attractive coloured map and help if you want it.
Potteries Orienteering Club
Children welcome with an adult, Pushchair accessible, walking shoes/boots recommended, Dogs allowed on a lead, Toilets available. Café
Stoke Treasure Trail – Sunday 22 October
Level: Easy
Start Time: 10am
Length: 2.5 miles, 2 hrs
Location: War Memorial, Kingsway Car Park, Kingsway, Stoke ST4 1JB
Can you locate the pottery pits? By solving the clues and eliminating false places on your treasure map, you should be able to solve this fictional conundrum and find the pottery pieces.
Please note, this is a self-led trail, with support on-hand if needed. Participants will be met at the start and each group will be provided with a free Treasure Trail booklet. Places are strictly limited – to book email travel.smart@stoke.gov.uk
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Car park charges apply, Children welcome with an adult, Dogs allowed on a lead, Toilets available
Burslem Park Story Walk and Little Library Van – Monday 23 October
Level: Easy
Start Time: 10am
Length: 1 hr
Location: Burslem Park, Moorland Road, Burslem ST6 1EA – meet at the Bandstand
Join professional story teller Alan Barrett, as he embellishes this beautiful, newly refurbished park with his weird and wonderful stories. Suitable for children of all ages.
The Little Library Van will also be parked at the start and finish point of the walk, giving plenty of time to visit and read.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Wheelchair accessible, Children welcome with an adult, Pushchair accessible, Dogs allowed on a lead, Toilets available
Wildplay with Trails – Monday 23 October
Level: Leisurely
Start Time: 1.30pm
Length: 2 hrs (drop-in activity)
Location: Whitfield Valley Nature Reserve Car Park, Ford Green Road, Smallthorne ST6 1NG
Play outdoors with all the family, with activities such as den building, bug hunting, playing on the slackline and more. Please come dressed for the weather – don’t forget your wellies (or sturdy shoes), a coat and a drink.
Wildlife Trust, Children in Need
Wheelchair accessible, Children welcome with an adult, Pushchair accessible, Dogs allowed on a lead, Toilets available
Hanley Park Story Walk – Monday 23 October
Level: Easy
Start Time: 2pm
Length: 1 hr
Location: Hanley Park, Cleveland Road, Shelton ST1 4DX – meet at the bandstand
Join professional story teller, Alan Barrett, as he explores the park and tells his weird and wonderful stories. Suitable for children of all ages.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Wheelchair accessible, Children welcome with an adult, Pushchair
Nordic Walking – Tuesday 24 October
Level: Easy
Start Time: 10.00am
Length: 2 hours
Location: Westport Lake Café, Westport Lake Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 4RZ
Come along to a fun walk where you’ll learn how to use walking poles in a relaxed Nordic Walking session. Nordic Walking enhances ordinary walking, making something we learn to do as babies twice as effective. Not suitable for wheelchair users
Stoke-On-Trent City Council
Dogs not allowed, Children welcome
Get Wild in Hem Heath Woods – Wednesday 25 October
Level: Leisurely
Start Time: 10am and 1.30 pm
Length: 2 hrs 30 mins
Location: Hem Heath Nature Reserve, Longton Road, Trentham ST4 8FR – Meet on the car park
Are you aged between 8-13 years? Then come with us on a woodland adventure and GetWild. We’ll explore the woods, build dens and light a campfire. Ask your parents to drop you off at the car park at 10am and we’ll return after our adventure at 12.30pm for them to pick you up again.
Don’t forget to wear warm layers and a pair of sturdy shoes or wellies as we’ll be outdoors, and bring a drink and some snacks. To book your place, visit www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Children in Need
Children welcome, Pushchair accessible, walking shoes/boots recommended
Bear Hunt – Thursday 26 October
Level: Leisurely
Start Time: 1.30pm
Length: 2 hrs
Location: Queen’s Park, Queen’s Park Avenue, Longton ST3 4AU – meet by the playground
We’re going on a bear hunt to find the secret bear! Take part in craft activities, make bear dens and a enjoy story adventure. Feel free to bring your teddies along. Please come dressed for the weather – don’t forget your wellies (or sturdy shoes), a coat and a drink. Places are limited so please email travel.smart@stoke.gov.uk.
Wildlife Trust, Children in Need
Children welcome with an adult, Pushchair accessible, Dogs allowed on a lead, Toilets available
Histrionics Walk back in time
Make a present of the past – Friday 27 October
Level: Easy
Start Time: 1pm and 3pm
Length: 45 mins
Location: Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Stoke ST4 1HH
“Follow madcap Victorian historian Baskerville Oldface on an exciting, interactive theatre walk through time. Get up and get involved with stories from history as the past is vividly brought to life in 60 minutes or less! Top hats and bonnets optional…”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Wheelchair accessible, Pushchair accessible, Children welcome with an adult
Wildplay with Trails – Friday 27 October
Level: Easy
Start Time: 1.30pm
Length: 2 hrs (drop-in activity)
Location: Queen’s Park, Queen’s Park Avenue, Longton ST3 4AU – meet by the playground
Play outdoors with all the family, with activities such as den building, bug hunting, playing on the slackline and more. Please come dressed for the weather – don’t forget your wellies (or sturdy shoes), a coat and a drink.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Children in Need
Children welcome with an adult, Pushchair accessible, Dogs allowed on a lead, Toilets available
Spooky Walk – Friday 27 October
Level: Easy
Start Time: 6.30pm
Length: 1 hr
Location: Green Door Hub, Westport Lake, Westport Lake Road, Longport ST6 4RZ
Join our spooky walk around parts of Westport Lake and keep an eye out for the ghosts!
Green Door, Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Dogs not allowed, Bring a torch
Burslem Treasure Trail – Saturday 28 October
Level: Easy
Start Time: 12 noon
Length: 2.6 miles, 2 hrs 30 mins
Location: Car park at the top of Woodbank Street, opposite Wycliffe Street, Burslem ST6 3JY
Where are the witch’s riches? Molly Leigh, alleged to be a witch, was buried in St John’s churchyard in Burslem in 1746. Can you locate the secret hiding place of the treasure that paid for poor Molly’s grave?
Please note, this is a self-led trail with support on-hand if needed. Participants will be met at the start and each group will be provided with a free Treasure Trail booklet. Places are strictly limited – to book email travel.smart@stoke.gov.uk
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Car park charges apply, Children welcome with an adult, Pushchair accessible, Dogs allowed on a lead, Toilets available