Rugeley - Market Square & Canal

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Rugeley Market Square and Canal, with Explorers following The Curator's Secret Map from Rugeley Library's archives to track a worn map and clues in search of Dick Turpin's hidden hoard.

The quest covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll begin at Tesco supermarket, head towards Market Square and its clock tower, investigate town-centre streets, follow a canal towpath, explore a park with a lake, and loop back towards the start area to finish by bridge 66, almost back at the car park.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The route uses urban streets, a canal towpath and park paths, with one short access road where there are no footpaths, plus a towpath near the canal that may be muddy. Watch your footing if the path is muddy.

Cross busy roads carefully at several points, use the crossing for safety where directed, and take great care near water, especially by the canal.

Getting There

By car: Begin your treasure hunt at Tesco supermarket (WS15 2HS). An alternative car park is Market Square (WS15 2BJ), which is seen from the start as the first clue area.

By public transport: Make your way to Tesco supermarket (WS15 2HS) to begin the quest. The circular route loops back to the start area once Dick Turpin's hidden hoard has been tracked down.

Need the Loo?

There are toilets in the first half of the route, with more in the park near the children's play area - handy for Mini Explorers who need a comfort stop before circling the lake.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the hunt. 🐾

The route includes urban streets, busy road crossings, one access road with no footpaths, a canal towpath and waterside sections, so keep scout dogs close around traffic and take great care near the canal. The towpath may be muddy too, so be prepared for paws as well as boots to pick up a bit of treasure-hunting evidence.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure tracking works best with supplies on board, and there are plenty of chances to stop for refreshments and stock up on snacks along the way, especially in the first half of the route. You can also pop into the supermarket for snacks at the end.

The park near the children's play area is described as a perfect picnic spot, and there are numerous picnic spots around the lake if you'd rather bring your own provisions.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Market Square clock tower

The clock tower is all that remains of the market built in 1878, making it a key landmark in the town centre. The route begins by heading towards it from Tesco, so it is a natural place to pause and get your bearings before the map-hunting really begins.

The Plaza

The Plaza was once a classical art deco cinema. When it was converted to its present use, all the fittings and beautiful windows were retained, and much of the glass can still be seen from outside. The route suggests stopping here for refreshment, which sounds like sensible Curator-approved fieldwork.

Elmore Park and Sheepfair

Elmore Park is the big breather on the quest. The route enters the park and goes around the lake in an anti-clockwise direction, keeping left at bridges, with numerous picnic spots and a play area for Mini Explorers along the way.

Rugeley churchyard and Old Chancel

The trail enters the churchyard to look for memorials and information boards, then crosses to the ruins of the Old Chancel. There is an information board here too, plus ruins to explore once your team has finished interrogating the clues.

Horse Fair

Horse Fair commemorates Rugeley's renowned carriage horse fairs, including the one linked to Dick Turpin. Keep an eye out nearby for the Miners Memorial and the ornate railings that commemorate local industries - a fine extra nugget of local history for Explorers with treasure still on the brain.