FIND YOUR FOOTSTEPS
Nathan Sutton continues his series of walks for all the family. Follow him on Instagram at findyourfootsteps
ASTBURY MERE COUNTRY PARK
This walk isn’t quite in Stoke-on-trent, but it’s only a 25-minute drive down the road towards Congleton when restrictions ease. And it’s worth it!
It’s a simple circular walk around Astbury Lake, with a decent path so it’s pushchair and wheelchair friendly. Some little paths veer off into the woods at different points and come back to the main route. There are also various points where dogs can go for a swim to cool off.
If humans want to cool off, then there is Astbury Water Sports Centre. Kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing and many other activities, including land based, are available here.
At the start of the walk, there is a huge open field alongside the lake. Loads of families set up base here with picnics. It is a nice little place.
TRAVEL
The main car park is at CW12 4FP. It costs 50p for up to four hours (which is plenty long enough), or £1 for all day. On public transport, take D&G Bus number nine from to Biddulph, then the number 94 towards Congleton.
REFRESHMENTS
There is a little cafe on site called GG’S coffee hub. It sells all drinks, ice creams for those hot days, sandwiches and toasties, baked potatoes and soups for those cold winter walks. There is also a pub down the road called the Egerton Arms which has a great beer garden for those sunny days when it reopens (CW12 4RQ).
Comedian, musician and surprisingly light on his feet, Bill Bailey has long been beloved by the British public.
This was of course cemented when he held aloft the Strictly Come Dancing trophy at the end of last year.
This is a chance to catch a recording of his Limboland tour, filmed live, pre-lockdown at the Hammersmith Apollo in London.
Limboland, he says, is a place where we find the gaps in life.
From a hilarious tale of a disastrous meeting with Sir Paul Mccartney to a family trip to see the Northern Lights that didn’t end well, Bill is in uproarious good form.
A musical master, listen out also for a heart-rending ballad on the nature of love and a fantastically downbeat version of Happy Birthday.