Battlestead Hill

Battlestead Hill is reputed to be the site of a bloody battle between the Angles and Danes, with a number of banks and ditches in evidence, but historical records are limited. This mature woodland is attractive in all seasons and especially so in spring, when primroses, bluebells and violets carpet the woodland floor. The 2.4-hectare woodland previously contained about 100 elm trees but these were felled in the late 1980s due to Dutch Elm Disease. Visitors today will see scattered mature beech, oak, ash, cherry and larch.

The wood is located on the outskirts of Tatenhill village, three miles south-west of Burton upon Trent. A public footpath goes through the woodland and there is a circular footpath on the south-eastern part of the site although this is very steep in places and can make for difficult walking. The site is particularly notable for its wide-ranging views over the Trent valley – a good place to spot an oncoming army no doubt.

There are pubs serving food by the canal bridge south of the wood and within Tatenhill village itself.

The nearest public toilets are at the Railway Station in Burton on Trent.

Visitors tend to park their cars at the junction of Tatenhill Road and the access road to Lawns Farm.

There is a railway station at Burton on Trent and the 403 bus service will take you to Tatenhill in 20 minutes.