Abbots Bromley Cottages with Hot Tubs

Get More From Your Abbots Bromley Hot Tub Cottage Break

Sightseeing

Abbots Bromley packs a punch when it comes to sightseeing. The village itself has buildings dating back to the 16th century and the Church of St Nicholas (built 1300s) with its ancient 'Hobby Horse' used in the Horn Dance. It's worth spending a morning just walking around.

Cannock Chase AONB (WS12 4PW, open 24/7) offers 26 square miles of woodland and heath. Great for walks and mountain biking with marked trails for all abilities. The visitor centre has maps and information about wildlife you might spot.

Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood (DE6 5HT, 10am-5pm, closed Mondays) gets 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor. It's a 17th-century country house with stunning interiors and a museum showing toys and games from the 1800s onwards.

The National Memorial Arboretum (DE13 7AR, 10am-5pm daily) scores 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor. It's the UK's year-round centre for remembrance with 30,000 trees and over 400 memorials. The land train tour gives a good overview if you don't want to walk the whole site.

Pet Friendly

Abbots Bromley is brilliant for dogs. Many local pubs welcome four-legged visitors, including The Crown (PE22 7AE) which has water bowls and treats at the bar. The Bagot Arms even has a special doggy menu!

Cannock Chase is dog heaven with miles of off-lead walking. The Chase has wide open spaces where dogs can run free, though keep them on leads near the deer enclosures. There are several dog-friendly cafés with outdoor seating areas.

I recommend bringing towels specifically for your dog - the local streams and muddy woodland paths mean wet paws are guaranteed. Most hot tub cottages have enclosed gardens, but always check the boundary fencing height if your dog's a jumper.

Blithfield Reservoir (ST18 0PF) has a great circular walk where dogs can splash in the water at designated points. The visitor centre sells dog treats and has free poo bags if you forget yours.

Top 5 attractions you have to see in Abbots Bromley

1. Abbots Bromley Horn Dance Museum (B78 3QL) - This small but fascinating museum houses the original horn dance antlers when not in use. The antlers are carbon-dated to around 1065 and are reindeer antlers (despite there being no reindeer in England then!). Open weekends 10am-4pm and by appointment. A visitor recently wrote: "Mind-blowing to see these ancient artifacts up close." FREE

2. Alton Towers Resort (ST10 4DB) - Just 12 miles from Abbots Bromley, this theme park needs no introduction. With over 40 rides and attractions including the terrifying Wicker Man wooden coaster opened in 2018. One TripAdvisor reviewer said: "Worth every penny for the screams alone!" Open 10am-5pm (longer in summer). £££££

3. Uttoxeter Racecourse (ST14 8BD) - A day at the races is just 7 miles away. This National Hunt course hosts meetings throughout the year including the Midlands Grand National. A recent visitor commented: "Great family day out even if you know nothing about racing." Check website for race days. £££

4. Sudbury Hall and Museum of Childhood (DE6 5HT) - This National Trust property combines a stunning 17th-century house with a museum packed with toys and games from the past 300 years. One visitor noted: "The Victorian schoolroom experience was terrifying - the schoolmaster is very convincing!" Open 10am-5pm, closed Mondays. £££

5. Blithfield Reservoir (ST18 0PF) - This 790-acre reservoir offers sailing, fishing and bird watching. The walking trails around the water's edge provide stunning views across to the Cannock Chase hills. A recent visitor said: "We saw kingfishers, herons and even an osprey during migration season." Open dawn till dusk. FREE

Abbots Bromley FAQs

When is the Horn Dance held?
The Horn Dance is performed on Wye Monday (first Monday after September 4th) each year. The dancers start at 8am from the Bagot Arms and dance around the village and surrounding farms until about 8pm.

Are there any good pubs in Abbots Bromley?
Yes! The Royal Oak and the Bagot Arms both serve excellent food. The Coach & Horses has a great beer garden that's perfect for summer evenings after a day out. All welcome dogs in certain areas.

What's the best time of year to visit?
September for the Horn Dance, but spring is lovely for walks when the bluebells are out in Bagot's Wood. Winter stays are great too - nothing beats returning to a hot tub under the stars after a frosty walk.

How far is Alton Towers from Abbots Bromley?
Alton Towers is about 12 miles away, which takes around 25 minutes by car. There's no direct public transport, so you'll need to drive or book a taxi.

Can I go fishing near Abbots Bromley?
Yes, Blithfield Reservoir offers day tickets for fishing. There are also several smaller commercial fisheries within 5 miles including Kingstanding Fishery which has five well-stocked lakes.

Is there a local shop in the village?
Yes, there's a village store and post office on Bagot Street that sells essentials. For a bigger shop, Uttoxeter (7 miles) has supermarkets including Tesco, Asda and Lidl.

What's the best way to get to Abbots Bromley without a car?
It's tricky! The nearest train station is Uttoxeter (7 miles). Bus service 825 runs between Uttoxeter and Lichfield stopping at Abbots Bromley, but services are limited. A taxi from Uttoxeter station costs around £15-20.

Are there any good walks directly from the village?
Loads! The Staffordshire Way passes through the village. There's a lovely 4-mile circular walk to Bagot's Wood that takes in ancient woodland where the wild Bagot goats originated. Maps available from the village store.

Helpful Links

Enjoy Staffordshire - Official tourism website with events listings

Sudbury Hall National Trust - Opening times and ticket booking

National Memorial Arboretum - Information and events

Alton Towers Resort - Ride information and tickets

Visit Peak District - The Peak District is just a short drive away