In the 18th century Bluebarn farm on Downs Bank grew hops for Joule's Brewery. In 1946 Joule's purchased the land from Viscount Sidmouth. The area was subject to purchase with the help of a public subscription and it was given to the National Trust by John Joule in 1950, as "an offering for victory in the 1939-45 War, and as a memorial to those who died" - apparently on the grounds that it had originally been common land, and should thus be open again to local people.

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February 11, 2019

From Wikipedia:
In the 18th century a farm on Downs Bank grew hops for Joule's Brewery, who rented it from Viscount Sidmouth. The area was well known to the author Mary Renault, whose parents moved to live nearby in the early 1930s.

Hops growing on Downs Bank continued until the 1940s, and there was also cattle grazing until 1959. The area was subject to purchase with the help of a public subscription and it was given to the National Trust by John Joule in 1950, as... "an offering for victory in the 1939-45 War, and as a memorial to those who died" - apparently on the grounds that it had originally been common land, and should thus be open again to local people. However, after 1950 the lack of grazing caused its characteristic heathland to decline, as bracken and birch were allowed to invade.

Downs Banks Toposcope

There is a Millennium Viewpoint stone at one of the highest points, with a toposcope (a disc of metal sight-lines/landmarks) embedded in the top of it. The toposcope went

Robert

April 16, 2021

The start of the walk is all up Hill but from then on it's a gentle stroll

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Elevation 200 m

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Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

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Location: Stone Rural, Stafford, Staffordshire, West Midlands Region, England, United Kingdom

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Tree Root Den

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Downs Banks Millennium Viewpoint

1. Downs Bank Brook – Bridge Over Downs Banks Brook loop from Oulton

2. Bridge Over Downs Banks Brook – Downs Bank Brook loop from Barlaston

3. Bridge 100 (Turnover Bridge) – Bridge Over Downs Banks Brook loop from Trentham

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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