The best cycling routes around Norbury

Easy to follow path on well compacted surface. would have liked to follow it all the way to Newport but not enough time

The Broad Eye Windmill is an historic windmill in the county town of Stafford, Staffordshire. The windmill is currently home to Windmill Broadcasting, and is looked after by the Friends of Broad Eye Windmill. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_Eye_Windmill

The present Church of St Nicholas is of Norman origin but was lengthened in the 14th century. The Perpendicular style tower was added around 1460 by the Earl of Warwick but he didn't get round to finish the job and top it off with a spire. Being an Earl must be a tad busy I guess!

There has been a Church in Norbury for well over 1000 years. North Burie (Norbury) was a Saxon Settlement and St. Chad, the first Bishop of Mercia, may have come from Lichfield to found a church here. The current building was completed in the 14th Century, circa 1340, probably by Ralph de Botiller (d 1342), Lord of the Manor, whose tomb is in the chancel. Close by the tomb is the oldest Staffordshire brass memorial plate. The lady depicted is the wife of Ralph de Botiller (d 1359). The home in the 14th Century of the Bottilers and subsequent Lords of the Manor was on a moated site which the remains can still be seen close to Norbury Manor Farm (a short walk from Norbury Junction). The church was constructed in the 'Decorated' Style, indicated by the design of the medieval windows, and other architectural features including the Sedilia- stone niches for seats for the clergy. The Church consists of a wide nave and a long chancel, constructed from local red sandstone. The high pitched, lofty timber framed nave roof is thought to be the original, although the chancel roof, is probably late 15th or 16th Century. The medieval church had a west tower, which was replaced in brick in 1759, possibly by William Baker (1705-71), architect of Audlem, although the new tower is said to have been built around older stonework at the base (and has 17th Century bells). Restoration in 1826-29 (recorded on tablet on north vestry) included addition of north vestry and a west gallery, at a cost of £700. The gallery was later taken down and the present pews were installed later in the 19th Century. The east window was installed in 1873 to the design of Miss C.S. Burne.

All Saints Church stands on an elevated site in the village of Forton, near Newport with views of the Aqualate estate. The original church was built at Forton in 1199 though the Saxon font in the Church tower indicates it was a site of worship before this date. The yew tree to the left of the path is 1300 years old. The church has undergone several major changes but the east and north wall of the chancel survive and the round head slit window on the chancel north wall confirms the church has a 12th Century foundation. In 1729 five new bells were given to the church. The most prominent monument is the alabaster tomb of Thomas Skrymsher (died 1633), knight of Aqualate and his family.

Forton Hall is a stone gable house of Jacobean appearance but is dated 1665.

Nice and damp in November

A section of paved cycling path on a dismantled railway line.