Stuck for ideas for something to do with Kid(s) (or adults) at weekend? Check out Rugeley, Staffs.

FrankFalcon

Hi all

THIS POST WILL APPEAL MOST TO PEOPLE WHO OWN CYCLES, BUT CYCLES ARE NOT ESSENTIAL.

I am writing this simply to help others.  I gain nothing from this post.  I just want others to experience a great day/weekend like my wife and I just have.  I'd be grateful if people would refrain from mocking any places mentioned in this thread (similar to a friend of mine did earlier when he told me that Rugeley was a **** Hole)

So, my wife and I are from Greater Manchester and last weekend we had a free weekend with no idea where to go or what to do.  So, after a bit of googling etc we found ourselves on the Hoseasons website.  We both had work obligations on Monday morning, so where ever we chose to go had to be within 2 hours of Greater Manchester.  Don't ask me how but we ended up booking a Caravan site (through Hoseasons) called Silver Trees Holiday Park in Rugeley.  So, on Friday 3rd March we loaded our mountain bikes into the car and set off for Silver Trees at Rugeley.  We arrived at Silver Trees a lot earlier than the 4pm check in, so we decided to park the car up at Silver Trees and take a taxi back into Rugeley Town Centre.  It was 1 pm and our first experience of the friendly folk of Rugely hit us when the landlady of the first pub we went in said to us "You're not locals.  What brings you to Rugeley".  We told her we were here for the weekend and she said to us "To be honest, there's not loads going on in Rugeley tomorrow.  A load of us are going to Lichfield for the day if you'd like to join us".  We thought that was a very friendly thing to say.  To cut a long story short we decided to stay in Rugeley Town Centre for a few drinks and something to eat and ended up staying there until around 9 pm.  In total, we went to a lot of pubs (Albion, Shrew, BoJollys, Wetherspoons, Crown, Red Lion., Ollys.  After a meal at the local Indian Restaurant we headed back to Silver Trees.  So, at this point, one may think this just sounds like a Friday pub crawl...Well, it sort of was but the reason I mention the pubs is because of the amazingly friendly people we encountered in every pub.  It was absolutely amazing how many people were smiling, happy, and welcoming in all those pubs.  Maybe it's something they put in the Water in Rugeley.  So, after finally arriving at, and sleeping Friday night at Silver Trees Caravan Park, imagine our surprise when we opened up our caravan door on Saturday morning to find 20 Wild Deer literally outside our Caravan door.  See pictures... Indeed, the special feature of this site is that the Deer visit this site.  We looked across to see the small kids (approx 3 years old and 8 years old) from the next caravan feeding the Deer by hand.  Deer food can be bought on Site.  Coming from Greater Manchester I can say that I don't think I have ever seen a Deer Close up.  Well, look at the picture of me feeding one in the pic.  What an experience this is and I think that Children who love animals will LOVE this experience.  Also, I note that there are some people with mental difficulties who benefit from being around wildlife! After this experience on Saturday morning we got out our bikes and went for a ride down the Trent and Mersey Canal to Great Heywood Marina.  Imagine our surprise when we turned up at the Shugborough estate.  This is an area of outstanding beauty.  I won't go into detail about Shugborough because you can check it out for yourselves.  Shugborough is only a few miles from Silver trees Camp Site.  On our way back we cycled to The Clifton Arms, in Great Haywood which is a lovely Pub/Restaurant.  Unfortunately, they weren't serving food so we continued cycling towards home (Silver Trees) and stumbled on the Wolseley Arms Country Pub where we had a lovely Lunch.  It wasn't the cheapest but it was excellent.  After lunch, we went back to the Caravan Site at Silver Trees and enjoyed feeding the Deer some grapes before we chilled for the evening.  On Sunday morning we rose and decided to go on a bike ride.  A quick look on Google told us there was a cycling track at Cannock Chase.  We had never been to Cannock Chase and the only time I have ever heard it mentioned before was when Stan Collymore was found with some pals there!!! After a short cycle ride (literally 3 mins cycle, 2 minutes car or 10 minutes on foot) we arrived at Cannock Chase to discover a very professional Cycle track set up.  What a setup for all the family! There are professionally designed beginners' Cycling track for toddlers.  An intermediate track (we cycled on) and a professional track.  All free to use and all brilliantly sign posted throughout the course.  A Cafe, shop, bike shop, go ape course complement this place.  Again, you should check this out for yourself.  We loved the Cycle Track so much set in one of the most natural and beautiful woodlands I have ever seen anywhere in the World.  Cannock Chase woods is stunning! It turns out that the cycle tracks were designed for the commonwealth games so you can gauge how good they are.  We (adults in our 40's and 50's) had as good a time as the hordes of toddlers, kids and other folk did.  After the cycle track a quick shower and we walked the 30 minutes to The Chase Pub.  The Chase is a modern pub serving food and it was packed.  We found a seat and enjoyed a great day watching Football on the Huge Screens.  I won't mention the match result because we are Man United Fans but just let's say we weren't happy.  Honestly, what a great weekend for all ages.  I'll summarise what there is to do below:

Toddlers: Deer Feeding, Cycling in Cannock Chase Woods, Walks around Cannock Chase Park.
Kids and teens: As above
Adults: As Above but with lots of Pubs in Rugeley Town Centre (£9 in a taxi to Silver Trees from Morrisons in Town Centre) a kebab shop, Indian Restaurant etc.  Also a couple of local country pubs such as The Horns.  
Shugborough is a day out in itself!
Canal Walk
Cannock Chase Walk and exploring

It should be noted that Silver Trees is A VERY quiet caravan site and the owner makes it clear he lives on site.  No shops nearby and no clubhouse on site.

I hope somebody will experience this soon because we just know that in Summer this place will be packed. If anybody can add anything positive here please feel free.  It may just make somebody else happy.  

FrankFalcon

We opened the Caravan Curtains on Saturday morning to this view!

Lavendyr

It sounds lovely but I'm sort of baffled by the context in which this post is made. Have people badmouthed Rugeley? It is very emphatic!

Lavendyr

FrankFalcon said:

Hi all

THIS POST WILL APPEAL MOST TO PEOPLE WHO OWN CYCLES, BUT CYCLES ARE NOT ESSENTIAL.

I am writing this simply to help others.  I gain nothing from this post.  I just want others to experience a great day/weekend like my wife and I just have.  I'd be grateful if people would refrain from mocking any places mentioned in this thread (similar to a friend of mine did earlier when he told me that Rugeley was a **** Hole)

So, my wife and I are from Greater Manchester and last weekend we had a free weekend with no idea where to go or what to do.  So, after a bit of googling etc we found ourselves on the Hoseasons website.  We both had work obligations on Monday morning, so where ever we chose to go had to be within 2 hours of Greater Manchester.  Don't ask me how but we ended up booking a Caravan site (through Hoseasons) called Silver Trees Holiday Park in Rugeley. So, on Friday 3rd March we loaded our mountain bikes into the car and set off for Silver Trees at Rugeley. 

We arrived at Silver Trees a lot earlier than the 4pm check in, so we decided to park the car up at Silver Trees and take a taxi back into Rugeley Town Centre.  It was 1 pm and our first experience of the friendly folk of Rugely hit us when the landlady of the first pub we went in said to us "You're not locals.  What brings you to Rugeley".  We told her we were here for the weekend and she said to us "To be honest, there's not loads going on in Rugeley tomorrow.  A load of us are going to Lichfield for the day if you'd like to join us".  We thought that was a very friendly thing to say. To cut a long story short we decided to stay in Rugeley Town Centre for a few drinks and something to eat and ended up staying there until around 9 pm.

In total, we went to a lot of pubs (Albion, Shrew, BoJollys, Wetherspoons, Crown, Red Lion., Ollys.  After a meal at the local Indian Restaurant we headed back to Silver Trees.  So, at this point, one may think this just sounds like a Friday pub crawl...Well, it sort of was but the reason I mention the pubs is because of the amazingly friendly people we encountered in every pub.  It was absolutely amazing how many people were smiling, happy, and welcoming in all those pubs.  Maybe it's something they put in the Water in Rugeley. 

So, after finally arriving at, and sleeping Friday night at Silver Trees Caravan Park, imagine our surprise when we opened up our caravan door on Saturday morning to find 20 Wild Deer literally outside our Caravan door.  See pictures... Indeed, the special feature of this site is that the Deer visit this site.  We looked across to see the small kids (approx 3 years old and 8 years old) from the next caravan feeding the Deer by hand.  Deer food can be bought on Site.  Coming from Greater Manchester I can say that I don't think I have ever seen a Deer Close up.  Well, look at the picture of me feeding one in the pic.  What an experience this is and I think that Children who love animals will LOVE this experience.  Also, I note that there are some people with mental difficulties who benefit from being around wildlife!

After this experience on Saturday morning we got out our bikes and went for a ride down the Trent and Mersey Canal to Great Heywood Marina.  Imagine our surprise when we turned up at the Shugborough estate.  This is an area of outstanding beauty.  I won't go into detail about Shugborough because you can check it out for yourselves.  Shugborough is only a few miles from Silver trees Camp Site.  On our way back we cycled to The Clifton Arms, in Great Haywood which is a lovely Pub/Restaurant.  Unfortunately, they weren't serving food so we continued cycling towards home (Silver Trees) and stumbled on the Wolseley Arms Country Pub where we had a lovely Lunch.  It wasn't the cheapest but it was excellent. After lunch, we went back to the Caravan Site at Silver Trees and enjoyed feeding the Deer some grapes before we chilled for the evening. 

On Sunday morning we rose and decided to go on a bike ride.  A quick look on Google told us there was a cycling track at Cannock Chase.  We had never been to Cannock Chase and the only time I have ever heard it mentioned before was when Stan Collymore was found with some pals there!!! After a short cycle ride (literally 3 mins cycle, 2 minutes car or 10 minutes on foot) we arrived at Cannock Chase to discover a very professional Cycle track set up.  What a setup for all the family! There are professionally designed beginners' Cycling track for toddlers.  An intermediate track (we cycled on) and a professional track.  All free to use and all brilliantly sign posted throughout the course.  A Cafe, shop, bike shop, go ape course complement this place.  Again, you should check this out for yourself.  We loved the Cycle Track so much set in one of the most natural and beautiful woodlands I have ever seen anywhere in the World.  Cannock Chase woods is stunning! It turns out that the cycle tracks were designed for the commonwealth games so you can gauge how good they are.  We (adults in our 40's and 50's) had as good a time as the hordes of toddlers, kids and other folk did. 

After the cycle track a quick shower and we walked the 30 minutes to The Chase Pub.  The Chase is a modern pub serving food and it was packed.  We found a seat and enjoyed a great day watching Football on the Huge Screens.  I won't mention the match result because we are Man United Fans but just let's say we weren't happy.  Honestly, what a great weekend for all ages.  I'll summarise what there is to do below:

Toddlers: Deer Feeding, Cycling in Cannock Chase Woods, Walks around Cannock Chase Park.
Kids and teens: As above
Adults: As Above but with lots of Pubs in Rugeley Town Centre (£9 in a taxi to Silver Trees from Morrisons in Town Centre) a kebab shop, Indian Restaurant etc.  Also a couple of local country pubs such as The Horns.  
Shugborough is a day out in itself!
Canal Walk
Cannock Chase Walk and exploring

It should be noted that Silver Trees is A VERY quiet caravan site and the owner makes it clear he lives on site.  No shops nearby and no clubhouse on site.

I hope somebody will experience this soon because we just know that in Summer this place will be packed. If anybody can add anything positive here please feel free.  It may just make somebody else happy.  

Paragraphs added for ease of reading. 

FrankFalcon

Lavendyr said:

It sounds lovely but I'm sort of baffled by the context in which this post is made. Have people badmouthed Rugeley? It is very emphatic!

No.  I'm not from Rugeley and I've not heard anything bad about it.  I just wanted to help other people who may be stuck for ideas.  No other reason

Sapindus

I just wish people would not feed the deer.  Feeding deer encourages them into areas where there are lots of people/dogs/cars and fatalities and conflicts result.  Feeding the deer supports localised populations way higher than natural and damages the natural ecology. 

FrankFalcon

Sapindus said:

I just wish people would not feed the deer.  Feeding deer encourages them into areas where there are lots of people/dogs/cars and fatalities and conflicts result.  Feeding the deer supports localised populations way higher than natural and damages the natural ecology. 

The place in question is a proper sanctuary for Deer.  These particular Deer are catered for by the park team and are well looked after.  The wild Deer of the area are smart enough to stay well clear of humans.  Oh...and the food is special Deer food