The military history of the world wars echoes across the Midlands; the route passes directly past the National Memorial Arboretum near Burton that presents spaces and installations to reflect on the impact of war on our communities and military organisations. You can also visit the German war memorial on Cannock Chase or take some time to reflect on the horrors of the story behind the Katyn Memorial in the same location. Cannock Chase was a major military training area and you can find evidence of the camps used to support this.
The Fauld crater also represents a terrible, spectacular and relatively unknown part of our military history when a significant underground munitions dump exploded in 1944 in one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in the world. Take some time out to walk to the crater and see the impact.
The stately homes at Shugborough, Staunton Harold, and Calke Abbey showcase grand architecture and ambitious landscaping, but also suggest the conflict between landowners happy with the status quo and the emerging demands for change driven by industrial progress. Our route lets you experience the results of this as you ride through the tunnels and cuttings constructed when the canals and railway were laid down; enjoyed by us for the peaceful passage offered, they were originally constructed to ensure the views loved by the landowners were not tarnished!
As you would expect in an area of such beauty and interest, art flourishes across the region. September sees the art weekend in Melbourne and there are installations in Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Woods and Rosliston Forestry Centre which you will ride past whatever the time of year. And having seen it, we’re certainly convinced that the tree which inspired Tolkien to create the Ents can be found in Cannock Chase.
Finally, let’s not forget the Stockyard Nightclub! Not much to see now, but if you were there in your youth when it was in it’s pomp, you’ll have plenty to remember. If you are riding this loop hopefully you’re having as much fun now as we did then!