Hidden Histories: How to be a Landscape Detective - talk and walk with Mary-Ann Ochota

This event is part of the Staffordshire Moorlands Walking Festival and is organised by CPRE Staffordshire, the countryside charity.

A fascinating talk on the hidden histories of our landscape with author, broadcaster and anthropologist Mary-Ann Ochota, followed by a leisurely walk in the countryside around Warslow.

The talk will take place over a late breakfast at the Greyhound Inn in Warslow, where we will enjoy tea, coffee and a bacon and sausage sandwich (or vegetarian sausage).

Talk – 10:30am: Hidden Histories: How to be a Landscape Detective.

Our landscape is full of lumps and bumps, lines in the landscape, strange monuments and mysterious remains. It’s because our land has been permanently populated for more than 10,000 years and every generation has left its mark on the landscape – working the land, travelling, building homes and grappling with life, death and the forces of nature. In this whistlestop tour, Mary-Ann Ochota, author, broadcaster and President of CPRE, the countryside charity, will introduce you to some of the clues every landscape detective should be on the look out for. Piece them together, and you can start to reveal the stories hidden in the countryside around us.

Walk (approx 11:30am): Warslow Landscape 

After fuelling up over breakfast, Mary-Ann and local walk leaders Austin Knott and Rod Hitch will be your guides as we explore the countryside around Warslow. This will be a leisurely walk of around 5 miles visiting field barns and farmsteads, and the Revidge Trigpoint, one of the best panoramic views in the Peak District. Good walking boots or walking shoes are required.

As we’ll start the walk at around 11:30am, please bring a packed lunch.

Transport and Car-Parking

Please consider using the Moorlands Connect demand-responsive bus service to travel to the meeting point or Service 442.

If you are driving, you can use Greyhound Inn carpark whilst attending the talk, but please move your car before the walk (there is ample on-street parking in Warslow). Please consider car-sharing if possible.

Cancellation policy

Tickets will be fully refunded (minus admin costs) if cancelled up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued if cancelled after this time.