Welcome to Cookley Picnic Area
Our Picnic Area is thoughtfully designed on a natural slope leading down to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. This landscaped space features a picnic table and benches, all easily accessible via a smooth tarmacked footpath, ensuring comfort and convenience for all visitors.
Historic Trade Route with Lasting Significance
The canal you overlook was originally constructed in 1772 by James Brindley, serving as a vital link between the docks at Bristol and the towns of Gloucester and Worcester, connecting further to the Potteries region in Stoke-on-Trent. Through its connection with the Trent and Mersey Canal at Great Hayward Junction, it formed an essential commercial route.
This canal was a commercial success, facilitating trade southwards from the Potteries to Gloucester and Bristol, while also supporting northbound trade from the Black Country to the Potteries via its junction with the Birmingham Canal at Aldersley. Today, it offers visitors not only a beautiful setting but also a connection to Britain’s rich industrial heritage.