With an unparalleled brewing heritage in Burton upon Trent, attractions like Uttoxeter Racecourse to get your heart racing, beautiful National Forest countryside and luxurious spa resorts there are plenty of things to do in East Staffordshire.
Things to do in East Staffordshire
Fans of sporting excellence and the great outdoors are spoilt for choice in East Staffordshire, with pulsating horse racing at Uttoxeter Racecourse, the venue for the Midlands Grand National and more than 25 race days throughout the year. During the Summer, you can experience the thrill of jump-racing followed by after racing music for a proper festival vibe.
Close to Burton on Trent, you’ll find the National Football Centre at St George’s Park, it’s the FA’s training centre for all 23 England football teams and has state-of-the-art facilities including an exact replica of the Wembley pitch and more than a dozen outdoor elite pitches. Whilst the site is not fully open to the general public all of the time, visitors can stay at the onsite Hilton hotel and enjoy the health club & spa, for both leisure and business trips.
Explore The National Forest’s vast new and maturing woodland, with the annual walking festival featuring guided and themed walks for all abilities, and The National Forest Way spanning 75 miles, together with walking routes like the Branston Water Park to Jackson’s Bank Walk passing through valleys and picturesque villages.
There’s also great cycling in The National Forest, with on and off-road trails like the Wychnor Cycle Route, a circular 20-mile course starting and finishing in Burton and taking in villages like Barton-under-Needwood and Alrewas.
Or pamper yourself with an overnight spa break at award-winning Hoar Cross Hall which also offers day visitors relaxing spa sessions and soothing all-inclusive spa packages, where you can enjoy beauty treatments, massage therapy and a delicious meal as part of your experience.
Ideas for family days out in East Staffordshire
Make a furry friend and meet pigs, goats, sheep and more at the National Forest Adventure Farm, before getting to grips with their JCBs in the Big Dig Zone or taking on the huge indoor play area. During the summer Adventure Farm opens an enormous Maize Maze with a different design and theme each year.
Nearby you can discover the National Memorial Arboretum with more than 400 thought-provoking memorials and 150 acres of riverside woodland to explore, as well as an exciting programme of events and activities throughout the year.
Shopping in East Staffordshire
Shop ‘til you drop in Burton at The Octagon Shopping Centre and Coopers Square Shopping Centre or browse the market stalls on Burton’s outdoor market held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
In Uttoxeter you’ll find independent retailers alongside a few High Street favourites, an outdoor market each Wednesday and Saturday and the popular Makers’ Market is held on the 4th Saturday of the month.
Barton Marina has a lovely collection of small independent shops, artisan retailers and food & drink outlets located around the marina waterfront near the village of Barton-under-Needwood.
East Staffordshire Food & Drink
Some of Staffordshire’s best places to eat and drink are in East Staffordshire, such as The Winery, offering gourmet dining on the banks of the River Trent in Burton, Michelin Guide mainstay The Duncombe Arms, The Meynell Ingram Arms and Denstone Hall Farm Shop & Café. And the borough is home to Nelson’s Distillery & School where you can learn about the art of distilling, create your own gin or rum and buy a bottle of the good stuff to take home with you!
East Staffordshire Accommodation
There are amazing places to stay around East Staffordshire and hotels in Burton, with choices for budget accommodation through to luxurious spa stays. Check out Hoar Cross Hall, Dovecliff Hall Hotel and the Riverside Hotel.
Other places to stay around the borough, include Walnut House, Mayfield Snuggery and Blithfield Lakeside Barns in addition to bed and breakfast accommodation, self-catering properties and caravan & camping sites.
To find out more about the borough visit https://discovereaststaffordshire.com/
