Stone - food and canal town and surrounding area
Stone is a market town, halfway between Stafford and Stoke on Trent situated next to the A34, the River Trent and the Trent and Mersey Canal – the town has a narrow boat centre, and has something of a reputation for food, with quite a variety of bars, restaurants and eateries, a monthly Farmers’ Market and an Autumn Food & Drink Festival.
The Stone Farmers' Market runs on the first Saturday of the month for more info see their website www.stonefarmersmarket.co.uk
and more information about the annual Stone Food & Drink Festival can be found on their website www.stonefooddrink.org.uk
Stone was once home to the Joules Brewery and today that brewing tradition is being continued by the Lymestone Brewery a family run microbrewery with their award winning cask and bottled beers. Brewery tours are available on request and open days are held regularly.
The town still has a street market, with a traffic free high street made up of a mix of buildings.
A short walk along the canal (towards Stafford) brings you to a modern Aston Marina, a pleasent stroll, watch the boats and there is of course a pub or just sit at the Star Lock at the edge of the town and just watch the boats coming and going
One of the nearby attractions is the Mill Meece Pumping Station, it has supplied water since 1914. The Steam Pumps were replaced by electric pumps in 1979, but these horizontal steam engines have been preserved and open events take place throughout the year
Accessibility - there is wheelchair access to the pumping station and toilets
Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre – can be found at Fletcher’s Country Garden Centre nr Eccleshall, a small sanctuary for exotic animals and birds of prey. As well as a hospital unit for the treatment of wild raptors, (not on display), the centre is home to over 30 different species of Bird of prey, Primate, Reptile, Invertebrate, Raccoons, Cats and many more.
Stone Canal Trips offer trips abord the Sir Thomas Brocklebank a traditional 60 Foot Narrow Boat Moored at Joule's Wharf, Stone, they also offer Afternoon Tea Cruises and Cheese & Wine Cruises
The Stone Town Trail Leaflet can be downloaded from here