From The Crown,Alrewas to St Leonards Church and Wychnor Hall ( Somervills )
Walking, Food and Drink and Beautiful Scenery over the Trent Valley and to Cannock Chase
🥾 From The Crown to the Cross: A Walk Through Wychnor’s Hidden Heritage
Pub, Pilgrimage, and a Pint With a View
Tucked between the Trent & Mersey Canal and the rolling Staffordshire hills lies a circular walk that links The Crown at Alrewas, the 12th-century St Leonard’s Church in Wychnor, and the grand estate of Wychnor Hall — now home to the newly reopened Somervills restaurant and bar.
This is a route for walkers, history lovers, and pub-goers alike.
🍺 1. Start at The Crown, Alrewas
Begin your walk at The Crown, a popular historic pub in the charming village of Alrewas. Known for its hearty food and welcoming atmosphere, it makes a perfect fuelling point before hitting the Way for the Millennium towpath.
🛤️ 2. Follow the Canal Towpath
Walk north along the Trent & Mersey Canal, passing boats, birds, and wildflowers. You'll cross Wychnor Bridges, once a vital crossing point in England’s transport history. The canal merges the past and present with a timeless rhythm.
⛪ 3. Discover St Leonard’s Church, Wychnor
Perched on a ridge above the floodplain, St Leonard’s Church is a small stone building steeped in stories. Dating back to the 12th century, its flat tower is said to have been clipped by order of Oliver Cromwell, worried it might be used by Royalist lookouts.
In the churchyard, find the poignant memorial to Harry Dooling, a Wychnor sailor killed in the sinking of HMS Barham in 1941. Nearby, an illustrated board depicts the lost medieval village, still visible today as humps and furrows in the fields.
🕰️ Opening times:
Open May to September
Weekends only, 10 am – 5 pm
🏛️ 4. End at Wychnor Hall & Somervills
Continue on foot past Wychnor Hall Farm, and you’ll reach the grand gates of Wychnor Hall, now operated by Hilton Grand Vacations.
Inside, you’ll find Somervills, a smart new bar and restaurant with views across the golf course and Trent Valley. Ideal for a quiet drink or a celebratory lunch.
🍷 Opening hours:
• Bar open daily, 12 noon – 10 pm
• Food served Wednesday to Sunday, 12 noon – 9 pm
🔗 www.somervills.co.uk
⚠️ Cattle Notice
( for the return from Wychnor Hall to Alrewas )
The route between Wychnor Hall and Alrewas may pass through fields with grazing cattle.
Please:
Keep dogs on short leads (release if approached)
Avoid walking between cows and calves
Stay calm and move quietly
📌 Plan Your Visit
🗺️ This walk links multiple points of local history and hospitality:
Historic church, ancient settlement, and Civil War folklore
A war memorial tied to HMS Barham
Refreshment stops at The Crown and Somervills
Nature, canal heritage, and open skies all in one
👉 Perfect for weekend walks, history trails, or pilgrim-style routes between Staffordshire’s historic churches.
UK Cyber Security Limited Sponsors the Wychnor Digital History Project.
St Leonard’s Church, House & Wychnor, Staffordshire DE13 8BY Heritage generally
🏰 St Leonard’s Church & Wychnor Heritage Project
Published by Chris Windley
[📍 St Leonard’s Walking Hub | Wychnor Heritage & Trails Series]