Εύκολες πεζοπορίες και βόλτες Rocester

The church was built between 1860 and 1862 to designs of the architect George Edmund Street, funded by Sir Thomas Percival Heywood, 2nd Baronet. At the same time, Street also designed the lychgate, churchyard cross, vicarage and village school.

Outside JCB’s headquarters in Rocester, near Uttoxeter, sits an eye-catching mechanical sculpture which looks as if it might have escaped from the set of a sci-fi horror flick. Titled The Fosser, which loosely translates from the Latin word for ‘digger’, the metal structure has become a landmark of the Staffordshire countryside. The Fosser was commissioned by JCB chairman Anthony Bamford, and was designed and built in 1979 by the Polish-born metalwork sculptor Walenty Pytel. It is constructed entirely of JCB parts welded together, and stands 45ft high and weighs 36 tonnes. At the time of its creation, it was the largest steel structure in Europe.

Part of the JCB site.

flat and suitable for all

To the north of where the River Churnet flows into the River Dove, is the historic village of Rocester. It was home to one of Richard Arkwright's water mills during the Industrial Revolution, but that has since made way for heavier industry. Today, Rocester is home to the world headquarters of JCB, who landscaped much of the grounds around the village. Pride of place is the Fossor sculpture, a 36 ton representation of a JCB, which was the largest steel sculpture in Europe at the time of its inception in 1979.

Airy rustic cafe for drinks and light bites, plus a farm shop/deli selling local artisan produce.

A very welcome pit stop after coming off the cycleway.

Be sure to check the information boards and look around Denstone village whilst here.