Staffordshire/Cheshire Border

 March 9 - 11 2022

 Living in the past

 Having introduced our grandson to the idea of camping last year, we thought it time to make some proper arrangements for accommodating grandchildren in the van. We had been aware of the Cabbunk system for a number of years, and decided to get one fitted by the business itself, rather than do it at home. As we were taking the van up to the Stoke on Trent area for the fitting, it seemed like a good idea to add a couple of days on and make a trip of it.

We arrived at the home of Richard, the designer/vendor of the system late morning, and he quickly had the uprights measured and in position. He is a very knowledgeable and friendly chap, and a motorhomer himself, so we spent an enjoyable hour over a cup of coffee, nattering about trips and places to stay. The system looks simple to put up and take down, and stows neatly in a bag.

We had booked a site at Mow Cop, Castle Camping, intending to check in and then go for an explore. However, a series of road closures meant we ended up driving past the car park for Mow Cop Castle, so decided to stop for lunch and see the castle. The building is actually a folly, dating back to 1754, and now managed by the National Trust. Although fairly bright, it was incredibly windy when we reached the top of the hill; we had to shelter behind a wall to be able to take photos.

Not just the castle, but the campsite a short distance away, are high on a ridge at the western end of the Staffordshire moorlands, meaning an exposed and windy location. Castle Camping is a C&CC certified site, with a small number of grass pitches, but an excellent facilities block. 

The next morning we headed to the National Trust gardens at Biddulph Grange, where the sheltered location gave a respite from the wind. Created by James Bateman in the middle of the 19^th century, it was a home for the many plant species he brought from around the world. Sadly, we weren’t visiting at the best time to see the floral displays, but the different garden areas still provided plenty of interest, including a Chinese Garden and a Himalayan Glen. A novel facet was the NT volunteers stationed at various points around the gardens; we are used to that inside a stately home, but not outside.

Chinese Garden

Himalayan Glen

The wind was still strong that evening (enough to blow the large rear doors of the van closed) and the forecast for the next day was rain in the afternoon and evening. Therefore, we decided to shorten the trip by a night, but still use the morning for a further visit in the area. Just 4 miles away is another National Trust property, Little Moreton Hall. Near enough, if fact, that we were sitting in the car park the next morning waiting for the building to open.

Little Moreton Hall was built as a statement of wealth by the Moreton family in Tudor times. Never modernised, and slightly crooked due to the marshy ground on which it sits, the hall is slightly different to most NT properties. The ever-helpful and knowledgeable staff gave us a good insight into life 500 years ago. The clouds were gathering as we finished our tasty bowl of soup in the café, meaning a wet journey back to Warwickshire that afternoon.