From the visitor centre drive, head left across the lake and then right up the drive towards Barlaston Hall. Go past this hall and continue along the metalled road as far as the crossroads in Barlaston. At the crossroads turn right and after 250yds (229m), just past the Church of St John the Baptist on your left, head left along a wide gravel track.

The track passes through a broad expanse of open farmland, with sweeping (if not altogether dramatic) views of the Trent and Mersey Canal to the right. After about 800yds (732m), before the third gate, go right on a less obvious but waymarked path around the edge of the field to reach a stile. After crossing the stile head right along a wide track, then cross the railway via an underpass, before bearing right to a bridge over the canal. Go over the bridge and take the steps down to the left.

At the bottom of the steps head left and then follow the canal all the way to the first bridge (at Barlaston) and then the second (at Wedgwood Station). Head left here, up to the metalled road, and then right, back towards the visitor centre.

From Burslem Park head down Moorland Road past Moorland Pottery into the town centre. At the busy junction at Swan Square turn right and walk uphill for 100 yards (91m) to visit the Royal Stafford factory shop on the left, which includes a small café.

Retrace your steps to the junction and keep going straight over, downhill past the war memorial on Swan Bank. Take the second left, just past the imposing George Hotel.

Walk down Nile Street, past the site of the former Royal Doulton factory on the left. Go past Dudson Factory Outlet and continue along the road. Just before the bridge go right onto a ramp up to the leafy Cobridge Greenway cycle trail, a former railway line. Turn right and follow this to the end. Turn left, then quickly left again on to Sandbach Road to reach the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre.

After visiting the Heritage Centre continue along Sandbach Road and keep going over the traffic lights. After 400yds (366m), just as the road eases round to the right, turn sharp right up the gravel path into Sneyd Hill Park. Immediately take a left fork straight up the hill, following the steep slope to the top for excellent views.

From the top of the hill start to walk back down the way you came, but soon bear left on an obvious trail contouring round the hill to the left. Follow this round and down to the bottom, near the cemetery. Turn left and follow the grassy track around the base of the hill until it rejoins the road. Turn right and walk up the broad pavement to the junction at the top of the hill.

Turn sharp left, then left again at the final mini-roundabout, past the Moorland Inn and down Moorland Road. After about 500yds (457m) turn right onto Park Road, then immediately left to enter Burslem Park and an excellent spot for a picnic to end the walk.