Where to go · Staffordshire

Forest bathing at Hawksmoor

A small, steep ancient wood in the Churnet valley near Oakamoor, quiet and wild with narrow, rough paths.

Hawksmoor is an ancient woodland in the Churnet valley, near Cheadle and Oakamoor, looked after by the National Trust. The wood fills a steep-sided valley, and it is home to green woodpeckers, spotted flycatchers and spring wildflowers. With a tiny car park and no facilities, it rarely gets busy, which is exactly what makes it worth the trip if you want somewhere still.

The car park, off the B5417 between Cheadle and Oakamoor, holds only about six cars and is unsurfaced, so arrive early or walk in from Oakamoor village or Dimmingsdale. Paths are narrow, steep and uneven, with steps, and there are no toilets. It is best for people steady on their feet who are happy to find a spot among the trees and stay put. The countryside is open from dawn to dusk.

Practical

Managed by
National Trust
Parking
Small unsurfaced car park for about six cars
Terrain
Steep slopes, steps, narrow uneven unsurfaced paths
Facilities
No toilets
Opening and entry
Open dawn to dusk, free
Official page
nationaltrust.org.uk

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

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More woodlands in Staffordshire

All venues in Staffordshire
Trail through trees at Birches Valley, Cannock Chase Forest, StaffordshireCannock Chase Forest, Birches ValleyForestry England woodland on Cannock Chase, with walks around pools and an easy access trailPath through woodland on the Coombes Valley RSPB reserve, StaffordshireCoombes ValleyRSPB oak woodland in a steep valley near Leek, with benches along the trailsBridleway through woodland at Downs Banks near Stone, StaffordshireDowns BanksWoodland and heath near Stone, with a brook and benches along a short trail

Photos: Cannock Chase Forest, Birches Valley, Christine Johnstone (CC BY-SA 2.0); Coombes Valley, Jonathan Hutchins (CC BY-SA 2.0); Downs Banks, Tim Heaton (CC BY-SA 2.0).