Whitchurch Walkers Route 2: The Stockton Walk

Walk directions

1. Start

   From the Heritage Centre, walk up St Mary's Street, turning left onto Church Street to reach St. Alkmund’s Church.

2. Step 2

   At the mini-roundabout in front of the church, turn left into Yardington, then go right at the next mini-roundabout along Sherrymill Hill.

3. Step 3

   At the mini-roundabout turn right into Waterside Close keeping to the footpath on the right hand side. Follow the path towards the canal, crossing the road at the bottom of the Firs. Continue until you reach a signpost for Danson’s Farm.

4. Step 4

   Turn right here on the tarmac path between some houses, follow the path across a road and then go left through a kissing gate.

   Walk diagonally to the right and through the kissing gate in the far right hand corner. Continue across the next field, again to the far right hand corner.

   Go through the gate and turn left towards the next gate some 50 metres up from the bottom left hand corner of the field. Continue towards the far right hand corner and through another gate.

5. Step 5

   Walk diagonally to the right up the slope and through a gate left of the middle of the hedge. Turn left towards the gate in the centre of the field boundary facing you. On a clear day, excellent views of the Welsh hills can be seen from here.

   Cross the next small field, go through the gate and down the path to the Whitchurch bypass. There is a good view either way but traffic can be busy so take care crossing. Head slightly to your left and up the driveway towards an opening to the left of a gate.

   You are now entering Danson’s Wood.

6. Step 6

   Follow the fence line for about 20 metres past the Woodland Trust’s interpretation panel. Turn left straight down the slope towards the canal. If you want to extend your walk through this small but pleasant wood, there are paths to the left and right, both of which loop round to re-join the main path by the canal bridge.

   Go over Danson’s Bridge (No 30) and through both gates taking you to the towpath of the Llangollen Canal. Turn right and under the bridge along the towpath following the Sandstone Trail and Shropshire Way towards Whitchurch. Continue along the canal until, after about 550 metres, you reach a black and white lift-up bridge.

7. Step 7

   Cross this bridge and walk along the towpath beside the Whitchurch arm of the canal.

   Possible detour:

   On the bend in the Whitchurch arm you can make an attractive detour by taking the gate to the left, down the track and across the valley to Greenfields Nature Reserve.

8. Step 8

   Once in the reserve, keep to the right up the steps, and you will eventually re-join the walk at Greenfields Way, near step 9.

9. Step 9

   Cross the road diagonally and continue along the path. In about 250 metres you will re-join your outward route at Step 4 and then retrace your steps to the start.