Guidebook for Your stay in Staffordshire
Entertainment & Activities
Alton Towers
Farley Lane2 Miles from Alton Towers
You can walk around the lake with buggies/ wheelchairs. Visit the gift shop and go to the JCB experience, (pre bookings only)
8 locals recommend
JCB World Headquarters
You can walk around the lake with buggies/ wheelchairs. Visit the gift shop and go to the JCB experience, (pre bookings only)
A great few hours entertainment in the pool if it is raining , or as a change from Alton Towers
6 locals recommend
Splash Landings Hotel
A great few hours entertainment in the pool if it is raining , or as a change from Alton Towers
Great for all ages, especially if you want a break from Alton Towers. 20 minutes drive from Heywood Hall
76 locals recommend
Peak Wildlife Park
Great for all ages, especially if you want a break from Alton Towers. 20 minutes drive from Heywood Hall
Churnet Valley Railway 1992 plc
Check timetables to see when trains are running.
Cannock Chase Forest
Birches ValleyGreat for walking in an AONB area about 20 minutes' drive
Great for families.
Go for a pretty walk around the lake . Take a ride on the steam railway along the lake, or take a boat ride.
refreshments available at the cafe at the lakeside.
37 locals recommend
Rudyard Lake
Lake Road Great for families.
Go for a pretty walk around the lake . Take a ride on the steam railway along the lake, or take a boat ride.
refreshments available at the cafe at the lakeside.
A great day out to the Potteries, you can even make your own pot! about 25 minutes drive from Heywood Hall. Cafe on site.
17 locals recommend
Middleport Pottery
Port StreetA great day out to the Potteries, you can even make your own pot! about 25 minutes drive from Heywood Hall. Cafe on site.
There is a free factory tour when you visit. It has a great seconds shop, with good bargains!
39 locals recommend
Emma Bridgewater Factory
Lichfield StreetThere is a free factory tour when you visit. It has a great seconds shop, with good bargains!
You can make your own pot here. There is a great cafe and the museum is very interesting. Have a very English afternoon tea (Bookings only).
36 locals recommend
World of Wedgwood
Wedgwood DriveYou can make your own pot here. There is a great cafe and the museum is very interesting. Have a very English afternoon tea (Bookings only).
This is great for the kids if it is raining, only 10 minutes drive. It is inside, has bowling alleys, an ice rink, pizzas and cinema all under one roof!
14 locals recommend
CineBowl
Town Meadows WayThis is great for the kids if it is raining, only 10 minutes drive. It is inside, has bowling alleys, an ice rink, pizzas and cinema all under one roof!
A pretty market town, full of Artisan shops and a great outdoor market on Saturdays. The Nicholson Museum is full of artefacts about the history of Leek and the Staffordshire Moorlands. There are some great artisan cafes. It is en route to Buxton so a good stop off point.
77 locals recommend
Leek
A pretty market town, full of Artisan shops and a great outdoor market on Saturdays. The Nicholson Museum is full of artefacts about the history of Leek and the Staffordshire Moorlands. There are some great artisan cafes. It is en route to Buxton so a good stop off point.
A lovely walk to Milldale from Dovedale. You can find this walk under "local walks" on our website.
6 locals recommend
Milldale
A lovely walk to Milldale from Dovedale. You can find this walk under "local walks" on our website.
A pretty course, about 15 minutes drive. Great horse racing. Popular with the locals! Events are held throughout the year, along with the racing, including a celebrity concert in May.
37 locals recommend
Uttoxeter Racecourse
Wood LaneA pretty course, about 15 minutes drive. Great horse racing. Popular with the locals! Events are held throughout the year, along with the racing, including a celebrity concert in May.
A beautiful village in the Peak district with a fine old hall and a duck pond. There are a few quirky shops. A must see during the Well Dressing Festival. The Tissington Trail can be accessed from here, a great walk for all the family along a disused railway track. Cycle hire is available nearby.
33 locals recommend
Tissington Hall
A beautiful village in the Peak district with a fine old hall and a duck pond. There are a few quirky shops. A must see during the Well Dressing Festival. The Tissington Trail can be accessed from here, a great walk for all the family along a disused railway track. Cycle hire is available nearby.
A few minutes from Heywood Hall. They will deliver & collect bikes before and after your stay.
Churnet Valley Cycle Hire - Open again
Quixhill Lane A few minutes from Heywood Hall. They will deliver & collect bikes before and after your stay.
Sightseeing
Great for a walk along the paths the duke of Shrewsbury made for his carriages to take his visitors on sightseeing trips around his estate. Enjoy a cake and refreshments at the Ramblers Retreat cafe afterwards.
9 locals recommend
Dimmingsdale Wood
Great for a walk along the paths the duke of Shrewsbury made for his carriages to take his visitors on sightseeing trips around his estate. Enjoy a cake and refreshments at the Ramblers Retreat cafe afterwards.
Lud's Church
a bit of a walk but loads of atmosphere
Sudbury Hall
National Trust property, with a museum of childhood
Buxton
A spa town well worth a visit, you need all day though.
A lovely market town, 10 minutes' drive from Heywood Hall. On the edge of the Peak District. Artisan Shops, Antique shops and cafes. The famous Shrovetide Football match is held in the town on Shrove Tuesday each year.
148 locals recommend
Ashbourne
A lovely market town, 10 minutes' drive from Heywood Hall. On the edge of the Peak District. Artisan Shops, Antique shops and cafes. The famous Shrovetide Football match is held in the town on Shrove Tuesday each year.
Biddulph Grange Garden
Grange RoadNational Trust property, lovely gardens.
National Trust property, beautiful grounds. Used as a setting for many famous films, such as "The Duchess".
76 locals recommend
Kedleston Hall
National Trust property, beautiful grounds. Used as a setting for many famous films, such as "The Duchess".
On Cannock Chase, combine a walk with a tour round the hall. There is a working farm, and a cafe. Great for young children. Outdoor plays are performed here in the summer.
40 locals recommend
Shugborough Hall
On Cannock Chase, combine a walk with a tour round the hall. There is a working farm, and a cafe. Great for young children. Outdoor plays are performed here in the summer.
For all the family, a great way to see the surrounding countryside on a steam train. They hold themed weekends throughout the year.
40 locals recommend
Churnet Valley Railway 1992 plc
For all the family, a great way to see the surrounding countryside on a steam train. They hold themed weekends throughout the year.
Food scene
Ramblers Retreat
Red RoadGreat after a walk along the disused railway line adjacent to Heywood Hall
You can walk to our local pub for a friendly welcoming atmosphere, great food, wine and local beers.
9 locals recommend
The Tavern
College RoadYou can walk to our local pub for a friendly welcoming atmosphere, great food, wine and local beers.
Gastro pub, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand . If you are a foodie you will love this place.
39 locals recommend
The Duncombe Arms
Main RoadGastro pub, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand . If you are a foodie you will love this place.
The blacksmith Arms, Alton
A good food stop after visiting Alton Towers on the way back to Denstone
The Rose & Crown
Main RoadGreat food in a welcoming atmosphere.
We are so lucky to have a well stocked award winning farm shop just a few paces away from heywood Hall. They have a wide selection of groceries, and a great cafe for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pick up a picnic from the deli and enjoy a range of local beers and soft drinks. Find that unusual present in the gift shop! We offer a 10% voucher for our guests to use throughout the shop.
33 locals recommend
Denstone Hall Farm Shop & Café
Main RoadWe are so lucky to have a well stocked award winning farm shop just a few paces away from heywood Hall. They have a wide selection of groceries, and a great cafe for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pick up a picnic from the deli and enjoy a range of local beers and soft drinks. Find that unusual present in the gift shop! We offer a 10% voucher for our guests to use throughout the shop.