It might be well known by now that the Flums like bridges. In particular I like packhorse bridges, so was delighted to note that we could visit the longest example in the country, with fourteen arches, each with a pedestrian refuge.

Approached from the village of Great Haywood, the Essex Bridge lies on the River Trent, a hundred yards downstream of the junction with the River Sow. Originally with forty arches, it was built in 1550 by the then Earl of Essex reputedly for Queen Elizabeth I so that when she visited his Shugborough estate she could go hunting in the woodland around the local village.

From here we headed for the Potteries in Stone and Stoke.