Rugeley Heritage Trail and Slitting Mill Waterfall Walk

3.1 miles (5 km)

This walk follows the Rugeley Heritage Trail and Rising Brook in the Staffordshire town of Rugeley. The route starts by the lake in Elmore Park on the western side of the town.... From here you follow the trail west along the brook where you'll find a series of pretty waterfalls including the impressive Slitting Mill Waterfall.
This route explores one of the most scenic corners of Cannock Chase National Landscape, combining peaceful woodland, tumbling streams and reminders of the area's industrial past. The trail follows Rising Brook upstream through a wooded valley where the sound of flowing water accompanies much of the walk.
One of the highlights is Slitting Mill Waterfall, a picturesque cascade on the brook surrounded by mature woodland. The area takes its name from the former slitting mill that once operated here, processing iron into rods for nail making. Along the way you can also discover interpretation panels on the Rugeley Heritage Trail explaining the history of the local iron industry, mining and the development of the surrounding landscape.
The walk begins and ends in Elmore Park, a popular Victorian park with ornamental gardens, mature trees, a boating lake and a café. Its pleasant setting makes it an ideal place to relax after exploring the waterfalls and woodland of the Rising Brook valley.