From our front door to The Jervis Arms

A Lane Head walk report, by Jason & Angela

A little over two miles of farm tracks, field paths, stiles and glorious Staffordshire Moorlands views, ending at a well-earned drink at The Jervis Arms in Onecote.

One of the things we love about Lane Head Barns is being able to set off on foot without first having to get in the car. Today we walked from the barns to The Jervis Arms in Onecote, taking the country route via Waterhouse Farm before returning by the quieter lanes.

Part of the outward route follows the Peak District Boundary Walk, a 190-mile trail around the edge of the national park. We were rather less ambitious. Our destination was the pub.

Setting off from Lane Head Barns, with no car keys required.

Across the fields to Onecote

The walk begins along the track from Lane Head Barns, passing old stone farm buildings before dropping into the trees. From there, the path runs beside the water, over wooden stiles and across sheep fields towards Onecote.

The quieter route to Onecote follows the water beneath the trees.

The path passes a working dairy farm along the way, stacked with the sort of oversized precast concrete blocks farmers use for silage clamp walls. Interlocking, studded on top and enormous, they looked for all the world like a giant had abandoned a game of Lego halfway through.

Somewhere, a very large child is missing their building blocks.

This is not the dramatic, rocky Peak District of postcards. It is the gentler Staffordshire Moorlands landscape we see from home every day: green fields folded into the hills, dry-stone walls, scattered farmhouses and big skies. On a clear September afternoon, the views seemed to open a little further at every gate.

Angela demonstrating the correct footwear and clothing for a proper country path.

The route was also a useful reminder that a country footpath is not the same thing as a manicured park path. A few stretches were rather overgrown, with nettles making a determined late-summer appearance.

Angela had sensibly worn wellies and leggings. I had placed rather too much faith in my trusted ASICS and a pair of shorts. The shoes coped perfectly well, but my legs were less impressed.

Trusted ASICS, bare legs and rather too many nettles.

A proper village-pub pause

The outward walk took us about 45 minutes and brought us into Onecote almost exactly where we wanted to be: The Jervis Arms.

The pub sits beside the River Hamps and has a sunny garden that is very difficult to walk past. A pint of Guinness for me and an Inch's cider for Angela seemed like sensible preparation for the journey home. We have eaten at The Jervis before and recommend it to guests for its warm welcome, well-kept beer and food cooked with genuine care. Being able to walk there from the barns makes it feel like our proper local.

The reward at the halfway point. Hydration, Onecote style.

The walk home

We returned along the lane through Onecote, past old stone walls, farm gates, rosehips and the little details you miss when driving.

The Staffordshire Moorlands looking particularly pleased with itself.

The return leg took around half an hour, bringing us back to the Lane Head Barns sign with no parking spaces or designated driver required.

It is a short walk rather than a full day's expedition, but that is exactly its appeal. You can leave the barns after lunch, enjoy an hour at the pub and still be home well before supper. Or book a table and make The Jervis the point of the whole outing.

We will certainly walk it again. Next time, however, I may concede that Angela's approach to legwear was the better one.

Back at Lane Head Barns, nettled but otherwise intact.