Plan your visit
Getting here
52.92549, -2.14996
Best for
4 activitiesHeritage
Strong match
Historic site with public access
Wildlife
Strong match
Ancient woodland
Dog walks
Good match
Dogs allowed with public access
Hiking
Good match
Named hiking route nearby: Trent Valley Way
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km🚶Walking
v7 signed routes nearby · 3 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Walking
Two Saints WayWalking route148 km▾
Two Saints Way - Chester Cathedral to/from Lichfield Cathedral. In the late Middle Ages a steady stream of pilgrims walked this way – both housing shrines to two game-changing Mercian saints in the 7th century - St Werburgh and St Chad
Trent Valley WayWalking route304 km▾
Downs Banks Dog Walk, Downs BankWalking route3.2 km▾
Take a little exercise with your dog and enjoy the fresh air on this 1.5-mile (2.4km) route alongside the stream, or if you're both feeling energetic, add half a mile (0.8km) more and climb uphill for fantastic panoramic views. Suitable for rugged pushcha
Stone Circles ChallengeWalking route▾
Downs Banks Edges Walk, Downs BankWalking route4 km▾
Taking you over hills and through secret valleys, this walk contrasts the wild places on your left with green farmland on the right. Undulating with some gravelly paths and narrow stages. Some paths will be muddy during wet weather.
🚴Cycling
v33 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Cycling
National Cycle Network Route 5Cycling route▾
Main RouteCycling route718 m▾
Main RouteCycling route561 m▾
Main RouteCycling route30 m▾
Main RouteCycling route760 m▾
Main RouteCycling route26 m▾
🐴Horse riding
v4 public paths nearby
Public paths
Horse riding
Stone Rural BW49bridleway · 327 m▾
Stone Rural BW49bridleway · 305 m▾
Stone Rural BW49bridleway · 3 m▾
About this historic site
Downs Bank is an ancient historic site. As an ancient woodland, it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD — a rare and irreplaceable habitat rich in biodiversity and historical character.
Wildlife to spot
Photos
22 photos from nearby open sources
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Photos
22 photos from nearby open sources
Photos
Visiting this spring
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
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Visiting this spring
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- 🌸Ancient woodlands are famous for bluebell carpets in April and May — one of Britain's most spectacular wildflower displays
- 🐦Prime nesting season — listen for woodpecker drumming, warbler song and the first cuckoos from April
- 🦌Roe deer are active before the leaf canopy closes in — dawn and dusk are best
🌱 Visiting this spring
- 🌸Ancient woodlands are famous for bluebell carpets in April and May — one of Britain's most spectacular wildflower displays
- 🐦Prime nesting season — listen for woodpecker drumming, warbler song and the first cuckoos from April
- 🦌Roe deer are active before the leaf canopy closes in — dawn and dusk are best
Facilities
Café
Coffee n' Cones · 192m
Parking
Downs Bank · Free · 10m
Picnic spot
2 · 56m away
Good to know
- 🐕Dogs welcome
- 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysLoading local forecast…
Nearby places
Useful places within 5 km