Our Walk Around the Lakes at JCB

A few days ago we had a little while to spare and decided to take our dog Poppy for a walk around the lakes at the JCB Headquarters at Rocester two or three miles away.

As you can see the lake at the front of the JCB factory is beautiful. It is a lovely place to walk and see the ducks, geese, fish and other wildlife that live around the lakes. Clearly lots of time, money and effort is spent keeping the area looking "just so" for everyone to enjoy. We love it and so does Poppy!

If you come to stay at our B&B and have a little time to spare a walk around the lakes is great.
If you're lucky there is often an ice cream van parked up so you can have a treat while you walk!

Our VERY Muddy Walk!

Last week we decided to take an afternoon off and go for a walk.  The weather was mild and still, perfect for walking.  

Our route: We left The Malthouse, walked down into the Churnet Valley, followed the old railway track heading towards Denstone, took a detour off the track to see restoration work that has been done to a bridge (photo below) over what was once part of the Uttoxeter Canal, headed back onto the track via the truly magnificent weir (photo below), walked in to Denstone taking a well deserved pit stop at Denstone Hall Farm Shop where we took the weight off our feet (photo below) and tucked in to one of their delicious sausage sandwiches, headed off again back towards Alton via public footpaths through the fields -VERY MUDDY!, then once back in Alton headed back to The Malthouse.

 

We REALLY had a great walk BUT hadn't realised just how muddy it was going to be, especially on our journey through the fields. Our dog Poppy loved the walk but was so muddy that when we got home a shower was a must.  Thank goodness for showers and washing machines!

Alton Turns into a Winter Wonderland

We went out for a walk today and couldn't resist sharing this beautiful photo.  It was great to wrap up warm, get some fresh air and watch our dog Poppy enjoy herself.  Snow fell in Alton on Boxing Day making it look and feel extremely festive! 

 

 

We hope that Christmas has been a special time for you and your family and wish everyone we know a happy and healthy 2015. x

A Walk Around Alton

We decided to make the most of the fine weather we've been having and went for a stroll around Alton a day or two ago.  Here are a few pictures we took along the way that we'd like to share.

Plenty of the trees, shrubs and plants we came across are coming into bloom.  There were LOTS of bluebells that are just opening. they looked really pretty.

We took a long break at the Ramblers Retreat and enjoyed a delicious lunch in their lovely garden.

 

 

When we got back home to The Malthouse look where we found our cat Smudge taking a nap, he did look comfortable!

 

 

Fancy a Relaxing Break?

Do you never seem to have a minute to spare?  Are you always rushing from one thing straight to the next?  You need to catch your breath for a while and take a break!

Guests staying at our B&B are usually here for a specific reason.  They might be visiting Alton Towers or other local tourist attractions, attending a wedding or catching up with family.  It is rare that visitors arrive to stay with us and have no plans.  Wouldn't it be nice to be away from home and just take time to rest and relax?

If you need to take a short break to recharge your batteries Alton where our bed and breakfast is a perfect place to stay.  Alton is a small village in the countryside of north Staffordshire, there are five pubs (a lot for a small village!), a Post Office and a General Store.  If a pleasant stroll is your thing you won't find a more beautiful place than Alton to take a walk. 

Fancy a spot of afternoon tea?  You'll be spoilt for choice of places to go for a cuppa!  Just down the road from us is the Ramblers Retreat, their deserts are just heavenly.  Or if you take a ride out you'll soon come across plenty more tea shops, pubs and restaurants.  Don't blame us if you go home having piled on the pounds!   

If you choose to stay with us for a few days and decide you feel up to a wonder there are plenty of interesting little market towns nearby Uttoxeter, Cheadle, Leek & Ashbourne to mention just a few.  Or if your a shopaholic and need a fix department stores can be found in Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and Burton-on-Trent all just a short drive away.

Why not indulge yourself and visit a local Spa?  Alton Towers Spa is just one mile away from us.  Also nearby are Moddershall Oaks and Hoar Cross Hall offering excellent spa facilities.    

Ready to get away from it all?  Telephone us at The Malthouse B&B 01538 703273 to check availability.  After a few nights rest here at The Malthouse you'll be recharged and ready to go again!

Calling All Adults!

Now that the School Summer Holidays are almost over it's a great time for adults to enjoy a break away.  Most kids start back to school this week, so tourist attractions should be a little quieter mid week than they have been for a while.

If you want to take a break why not telephone our B&B (01538 703273) to check availability?  We're  located in the beautiful village of Alton in Staffordshire. 

Alton is a perfect place to stay at if you're looking for relaxation, Alton Towers Theme Park fun, countryside walks, musuems/galleries, shopping or just a good rest to recharge your batteries!

You can telephone The Malthouse Bed & Breakfast 01538 703273 to enquire about accommodation or if you prefer you can book online.

Our Walk from Alton to Denstone and Back!

This week we decided to take a walk from our B&B in Alton to the nearby village of Denstone.  We often drive through Denstone but have never walked there so we thought it would make a change. What a lovely afternoon we had, it won't be the last time we walk from Alton to Denstone and back!

We chose to walk to Denstone along an old disused railway line that runs next to the River Churnet in a nearby valley.  On the way back to Alton we walked along public footpath.  Initially the public footpath went through open fields, then to our surprise it carried on along a stone path between the fields.  We think that the footpath follows part of the Staffordshire Way so maybe this is why the path is there, we're not sure.   

It was lovely to walk along and enjoy the sounds (and smells!) of the countryside.  These cows were waiting at a gate near a farm that we passed.  We don't know much about farm animals but to us these pretty young ladies seemed to be in very good shape!

We think that we probably walked about 5 miles in total, which we were pleased with as we're not super fit.  To be fair though the walk was pretty easy going thanks to the flat railway line, the stone public footpath oh and of course the tea and cake we had at Denstone Hall Farm Shop!

MALT TIP: If your staying at our B&B you won't be able to resist a short (or long) walk in the countryside so remember to pack walking shoes, wellington boots or old trainers!

Many of our guests are heading to Alton Towers Theme Park.  Most first timers to the area are amazed that the theme park is located in such a beautiful rural setting.  Often guests returning to stay come back for longer to visit the theme park again and enjoy the fantastic countryside that's here.  If your looking for accommodation in Alton why not give us a call 01538 703273 to check availability.  

Visiting The Malthouse & Want to Walk?

Many of our B&B guests are surprised to find that Alton (the village we're located in) is such a beautiful rural village. If your coming to stay with us at The Malthouse B&B and like walking don't forget to consider bringing your walking boots or just a pair of old training shoes with you!

Alton is a lovely village to stroll around but for the more adventurous there are plenty of walks nearby in fabulous countryside. We came across a four mile long walk called Furnace Forest recently on the Internet. There is a leaflet produced by our local council Staffordshire Moorland District Council that gives a map and directions for the walk. See www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/downloads/Furnace_Forest_SMDC_2_.pdf to view the Furnace Forest walk. The walk starts and finishes at the Ramblers Reteat(cafe/restaurant) in Dimmingdale just 1 mile from The Malthouse. You might like to stop at the Ramblers Retreat for tea & cake or a meal! Perhaps you should eat before you start walking so that you can walk off all the calories!

Why not print the walk out and bring it with you when you come to stay with us!

Take a Walk to Toothill Rock

If your staying with us at The Malthouse B&B why not take a walk? The village of Alton where we're located is really beautiful - there are lots of short strolls or longer walks!

We took a short walk last week to a favorite spot of ours Toothill Rock. There's a public footpath just down the road from us that leads up to Toothill Rock. Once your at the top the views are magnificent. In the valley below you can see the River Churnet and straight ahead on the other side of the valley the Tower at Alton Towers.

Here is a view of Alton Castle, this can be seen if you look to your right.

It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to get from our bed & breakfast to the top of Toothill Rock. It's mainly uphill on the way there but surprisingly not too steep. The good news is that it's mainly downhill on the way back!

Malt Tips:

a) If you don't like heights or have small children with you Toothill Rock might not be the place to go. It's a long way down!

b) Don't forget your trainers or walking boots. The path to Toothill Rock is easy to follow but can be pretty lumpy and bumpy. Heels are not an option!