Brewood circular walk part 1

This is a delightful 5.5 mile walk, along a canal, through leafy fields with views over to Cannock Chase, past stately Chillington Hall, and back to Brewood. It follows part of two long distance paths too.  

We parked in the centre of Brewood, and walked past the Bridge Inn...

...and took the steps down to the canal.

It's the Shropshire Union, built by Telford, and is very straight with lots of embankments and cuttings.

The towropes from the horse-drawn boats made these deep grooves: no wonder there were metal rubbing strips - they would have eroded the bridges otherwise!

Tranquillity.

Many of the bridges are quite high, because the canal is in a cutting. 

This bridge is more ornate: it leads to Chillington Hall, of which more tomorrow

The towpath was mostly fairly dry

Just numbers on the bridges (big contrast to the Staffs and Worcs Canal near me, where they all have names)

More straightness.

These fields were amazingly red - we thought it must have been some kind of weedkiller?

At Bridge 7, we left the canal...

...turning right onto the Monarch's Way. These little stickers indicate the route very well.

Over the bridge, and through some fields

Even close up, it was difficult to work out why the fields were so red.

The path was very easy to follow, first on one side of the hedge...

...then the other

There were a few daffodils about, and many more just waiting to burst into bloom. There were lots of bluebell shoots too 

We reached a small settlement, but still followed the Monarch's Way signs,

Across Chillington Street...

...until we reached signs for the Staffordshire Way. Of which, more tomorrow.

Today's Route: Start in the centre of Brewood, and find the Bridge Public House. Turn left onto the canal and follow it till Bridge 7. Turn right onto the Monarch's Way, and follow it until it crosses the Staffordshire Way. Follow the Staffordshire Way back to Brewood, by the church, then make your way back through the village (lovely shops) until you find your car. Distance 5.5 miles. Going is fairly flat, with a few muddy sections, but mostly very good walking. Note: the route is very well-signposted and easy to follow