With a tremendous history a range of attractions, these villages are unique destinations to discover.
Penkridge
Penkridge is a large and lively village which boasts many amenities and is well known for its twice-weekly market and monthly food and craft fair.
Legend has it that Penkridge was made capital of England for three days by King Edgar (959-975) while he was fighting the Danes. True or not, Penkridge was certainly an important transport and religious focus back then, with the King declaring it a ‘famous place’.
The canal was an early focus for the village and the arrival of the railway brought a real growth spurt - as did the development of the A449 and M6 many years later.
Shrewd negotiating skills and contract clauses by Baron Hatherton in the original lease of land to the railway preserved the station from the Beeching axe - and the train station remains vital to the village today, providing fast links to Birmingham, Stafford and Liverpool.
Penkridge was always a popular trading point with records showing a regular horse fair in the 15th century.
St Michael's and All Angels Church in the centre of the village was built in the 1200s and has many features which cast an insight into its past. These include many markings around the church where arrows were sharpened, Tudor monuments in the chapel, and medieval angels in the roof.
There is a lot to keep the population busy and attract visitors, with a number of events held throughout the year – including the Santa Dash in winter.
Penkridge Library is the starting point for the Tolkien Trail, which allows walkers to follow in the footsteps of the famous author.
Gypsy Green near Penkridge was the writer’s former home when he was stationed in the area during the second world war. The trail goes past the remains of his cottage and out into the countryside, which was the inspiration for his Middle Earth fantasy land in Lord of the Rings.
The main village street – Market Street – has several small shops, some of which are housed in buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. One of the oldest is a house in Market Street called ‘Two Steps’.
The Hailing Dene Centre is a grade-two listed building which hosts a number of events – including weddings, village fetes, Christmas pantomimes - and is home to the Penkridge Community Café. The grounds are also used as the start and finish point for the Penkridge Fun Run, which is organised by the Penkridge Round Table and raises significant funds for good causes.
Not far away in Otherton there is a small airport where many light aircraft are stationed and flown. There is also a small marina - the Boat Haven - and a campsite at Pillaton Hall Farm with fishing pools, a business unit and open water activities, as well as children’s play equipment.
Lower Drayton Farm, known locally as the Play Barn, offers youngsters indoor and outdoor play attractions including huge slides, soft play, zipwires, pedal tractors and toboggan sledges. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal events, a trailer ride, and the destination’s range of animals.
Animal lovers can also visit the Rodbaston Animal Zone at nearby South Staffordshire College, which is home to around 600 animals – from meerkats, to monkeys, rabbits and alpacas. This attraction is open to the public during weekends and school holidays. A paintballing tournament venue is also located at Rodbaston.
In addition to the busy community centre, sports clubs and playing fields, the region is served by Penkridge Leisure Centre on Cannock Road. The centre caters for a wide variety of sporting activities and abilities with its state-of-the-art gym, 3G pitches, and exercise classes.
The Monckton family granted 14 acres of land, close to the centre of the village, to be used for the benefit of village people – currently this is the home of the Monckton Sports and Recreation Centre, a registered charity.
The Monckton grounds also host an annual open-air music festival, which runs over three days and brings many people into the village.
Acton Trussell
Acton Trussell edges nearer to Stafford and residents are afforded a clear view of Stafford Castle.
Referred to as Actone in the Domesday Book, the village gained the interest of archaeologists when the wing of a Roman villa was unearthed in the village churchyard.
Excavations have been continuing and finds dating from the stone, bronze and iron age have been recovered.
The village is also home to The Moat House, a popular hotel, restaurant, and functions venue, which dates from the early 16th century and features a half-timbered wing. The moat ditch which still which surrounds it can be dated back to medieval times.
Gailey
Gailey is a small village at the junction of the A5 and A449, which is often referred to locally as Gailey Island.
A local landmark is the three-storey Lock Keeper’s Tower on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal with its red brick turreted roof.
A small Victorian church in the village has been converted and for many years has been home to Gailey Pottery.
The owner’s work is internationally renowned and has been exported to Australia, the USA and the Far East.
More recently, the potter has shifted his emphasis back to being a traditional studio potter and can be seen at work in the shop.
Gailey also has its own small war memorial, which bears the names of those lost from the village in combat.