Chained Oak and Dimmingsdale Loop

Overview
Difficulty:	Medium
Distance:	3.7 miles / 5.9 kilometres
Terrain Type:	Dirt trails and hiking paths. Mostly mild inclines.
Starts From:	Mill Road Car Park, Oakamoor, ST10 3AG
Closest Vet:	Rogers, Brock & Barker Veterinary Surgeons

Introduction

This tranquil route takes you right into the heart of Dimmingsdale, one of the most beautiful places in Staffordshire (in my humble opinion). You’ll start out from the scenic village of Oakamoor, following the Churnet Valley Greenway up to the Chained Oak before heading back through enchanting woodland. The first half of the walk is flat but from the Chained Oak section onward you’ll encounter some banks of varying steepness. The last descent is steep and sees you going down uneven terrain.

To get to the starting point of Mill Road Car Park, head into Oakamoor village and turn onto Mill Road from the B5417. There’s a small car park on your left not long after turning that looks out onto a field. If there’s no spaces here, you can find another car park by going a little further down Mill Road and then turning left onto the bridge that goes over the river.

There’s no requirement for dogs to be on a lead for this walk, but be aware that parts of this route are popular with cyclists, so you might want to keep your dogs under control for that reason. They’ll also have access to a few bodies of water on this walk, so be prepared to go home with a wet dog if you have decided to let them off!

Churnet Valley Greenway

To start, head out of the car park back onto Mill Road and turn left. Follow the road as it bridges the river, keeping the houses on your left. After a few hundred metres you’ll reach an abandoned railway platform. From here, you’ll follow the old railway line that runs alongside the River Churnet for just over a mile.

This pathway used to be the track bed for this stretch of the Churnet Valley Railway line and serves as a reminder of the region’s industrial past. In the 19th century, the area was an important mineral site with limestone, copper, iron and sandstone all being quarried here. There was also a copper works in Oakamoor. As well as moving goods, the railway was used by holiday makers coming to visit what the tourism industry dubbed “Little Switzerland”.

Eventually you’ll hit a large stone bridge that looms above you. We’ll be crossing this bridge later, but first you’ll want to walk under it and take the path off to the left. Turn right pretty much straight after and follow the path running straight up the bank.

The Chained Oak

As you go up this bank, keep your eyes peeled for the famous Chained Oak on your left hand side. It’s set back from the path with steps leading up to it, so it’s hard to miss. As anyone who’s been to Alton Towers knows, this tree is at the centre of a local folk tale.

Legend has it that the Earl of Shrewsbury was travelling back to his Alton Estate through these woods when he refused to give money to a beggar woman. Spurned, the woman cursed the Earl. She told him that for every branch that fell off the old oak tree, a member of the Earl’s family would die.

The Earl ignored her initially, but shortly after a storm knocked a branch from the tree. The same night, the Earl’s son died suddenly. After this, the Earl had the tree chained up to stop any more branches falling. Nowadays you’ll notice that a few of the branches and chains have fallen with the chains becoming rusted and weak over time. We can only hope that the Earl’s family came through it unscathed!

If you like, you can continue climbing to the top of the hill until you hit the main road by the Chained Oak B&B. At this point you’re literally across the road from Alton Towers theme park, so don’t be surprised if your tranquil walk is punctuated by the screams of thrillseekers here. Once you’re done exploring this part of the woods, head back down the bank past the Chained Oak until you hit the bridge we originally walked under.

Lord's Bridge and the Ramblers Retreat

Once you’ve reached the bridge at the bottom of the bank, cross over it and follow the trail until you hit another stone bridge shortly after. This is Lord’s Bridge, which has spanned the River Churnet since the 19th century. It is believed that the bridge was constructed as a carriage bridge so that the Earl could easily access the Dimmingsdale part of his estate.

Once you’ve crossed Lord’s Bridge, follow the path and head through the wooden gate. Ahead of you is the Ramblers Retreat, a family run tearooms and restaurant. This impressive building was originally a gatehouse for the Earl’s estate that was restored in the 1970s. Since then, it’s won several awards for its delicious home cooked fare.

As you might imagine with its location, the Ramblers Retreat is very dog friendly. Your four legged friends are welcome to sit outside in the extensive gardens or inside the summerhouses or potting shed if the weather isn’t good. Water bowls and free dog treats are available, and they also sell Marshfield Farm Dog Ice Cream. You can find more info here.

Dimmingsdale Woods

Facing the front of the Ramblers Retreat, turn to the right and follow the right hand path going past the old smelting mill, keeping the mill pond on your left. In the 18th century lead was smelted here. You can still see the old water wheel on the far side of the building which made this process possible.

From this point on follow the central track through the woods until you reach the top of the bank. Parts of the path do get boggy in winter, so suitable walking footwear is advised. This section of the route has the steepest climbs, with the incline averaging at around 10%.

Eventually you’ll hit a tarmac road running across the front of you. Turn right here and follow the public footpath that goes along the grass verge and cuts across the driveway of Ranger Cottage. Continue along the path as it hugs the inside of the dry stone wall until you get to a gate.

Once you’ve gone through the gate, head down the path leading you to the bottom of the hillside. The first part of the descent here is steep and uneven, so take care with your footing. It’s also not easy to tell where the path is at first. Don’t worry if you struggle to find it – just keep heading downhill and it will make itself apparent soon enough.

At the end of the forest trail you’ll come to Red Road. Turn left at this point so that the River Churnet is on your right. Once you hit the T-junction, turn right again onto Mill Road. After 500m you’ll be be back at the car park. If you look to your left about 100m before the car park, you’ll see the old railway tunnel. Just after this point there is a small faucet built into the side of the wall that provides continuous running water. Feel free to use this tap to clean off muddy boots and paws before getting back in the car.

What to do after

If you fancy going somewhere for food and drink after your walk, there’s plenty of choice in the local area. The aforementioned Ramblers Retreat is always worth a visit if you didn’t stop off halfway through this route. If it’s just a drink you’re after, The Cricketer’s Arms in Oakamoor village welcomes well behaved dogs and has a great beer garden with views of the weir and waterfall.

Just a mile up the road from Oakamoor is the highly rated The Star at Cotton, where dogs are welcome in the bar and snug area as well as the beer garden. Treats, water and towels for your furry friends are all provided.

The Bridge Hotel and Talbot Inn in neighbouring Alton are also worth checking out. They share a large beer garden by the river, which is the perfect place to enjoy some locally sourced food after your walk.

Chained Oak and Dimmingsdale Loop

Introduction

Churnet Valley Greenway

The Chained Oak

Lord's Bridge and the Ramblers Retreat

Dimmingsdale Woods

What to do after

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