Boats, Trains and Automobiles. Getting In and Out of Kidsgrove

Today, Kidsgrove in North Staffordshire is a well-connected town, situated on the Trent & Mersey canal, close to J16 of the M6 with a railway station and good 4G connection. The town was created by a then new transport innovation, the canal. Luckily too, when the railways came, Harecastle was a junction, still important today. Roads too were important, even before Wedgwood got behind the first turnpike road through the town in 1765. And we’ve had the odd tramway, speedway track, and even a few camel and rickshaw rides over the centuries, for those who prefer exotic transport.

Join the bloke who has recently published his version of the complete history of the town on a stroll around some key sites to hear how and why we became so well connected – and about the people who made it happen! We can hardly help visiting the two Harecastle canal tunnel entrances, probably the site of the major local fun palace (the Alton Towers of its day) that attracted visitors from far and wide, and the businesses that thrived or failed as times changed at an ever-increasing pace.

Timings & Tours

Tuesday 10 September:

1100-1300 (meet at Town Hall at 1050 for prompt start)

Saturday 14 September:

1100-1300 (meet at Town Hall at 1050 for prompt start)

Location & directions

Town Hall, Liverpool Road, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST7 4EL

Directions:

The walk starts from Kidsgrove Town Hall (also known as Victoria Hall) a large brick building with a distinctive clock tower.

Contact on day:

Sue Dunn

Telephone number:

+447851433207

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The walk is about 2 miles long (round trip). Some of the walk is on pavement and mostly flat so is suitable for wheelchairs or people with mobility issues. The path to the canal is stony and quite uneven. It also slopes and can be muddy if wet. The canal tow path is cobbled in places and can be muddy. Sensible footwear recommended and bring wet weather gear or hats and sunscreen as appropriate. There are accessible toilets at the start of the walk in the Town Hall and in the library, which will be open during the walk times.

Additional information

Refreshments and toilets are available in town centre cafes before and after the walk. Toilets also available in the library.

Max no of people per tour:

12

Est. tour duration:

2 hour(s)

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