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The Ford Green Reed Bed is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, designated because of the large numbers of swallows that gather there before migrating at the end of the summer.

Quiet and peaceful woodland. Look out for the enchanting sculptures on the route!

Go to the gate of Hopestone Cottage and you will find a public footpath marker on the left of the gate to enter.

The Ford Green Reed Bed at the south end of the site is one of Stoke-on-Trent's two Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It has been designated because large numbers of swallows gather there before leaving the country at the end of the summer.

A breathtaking location Named such because of the dell within this ancient woodland which has an impressive gritstone escarpment on one side. It is a beautiful place to escape to whennome is in need of seclusion and tranquillity.

"On an autumn night, the Earl of Shrewsbury was returning to his home at Alton Towers when an old woman suddenly appeared in the road ahead of his horse and coach. The coach stopped to find why she was there at which point the old woman begged for a coin. The Earl cruelly dismissed her, so the old woman stated that she would place a curse on him. The old woman told the Earl that for every branch on the Old Oak Tree that fell, a member of the Earl’s family would die. The Earl dismissed this and carried on his way. That the same night, a violent storm caused a single branch from the old oak tree to break and fall. Later that evening, a member of the Earl’s family suddenly and mysteriously died. Now firmly believing the power of the curse, the Earl is said to have ordered his servants to chain every branch together to prevent other branches from falling." The Oak tree remains chained up.

This is one of seven great rocks for bouldering in this locality. You can include it in a tour of all of them in an hour and a half should you choose. This one is easy to find as it is directly on the footpath through Toothill Wood. There is a great section under the rock that would make a ideal shelter if you needed to make use of it in a fix. Or the kids may like to use it as a den.

The Hopestone is a natural gritstone outcrop on Park Lane between Ipstones and Foxt. It is a natural rock outcrop vaguely resembling the head of a man. It may be the 'upper stone' or 'yppe' which is referred to in the origin of the name Ipstones" (Tim Cockin: The Staffordshire Encyclopaedia).