This guide takes the walker on a tour of a magical landscape from deep and almost secret valleys to the windy heights of the Long Mynd. Historic Ludlow and the industrial heritage of the Ironbridge Gorge are on an itinerary to which is added the mysteries of the rocky wilderness of the Stiperstones. Offa's Dyke Path is sampled in routes along the Welsh border, while walks along Britain's longest river are completed with a return by the Severn Valley Railway. There's more - who were Wild Edric and the Galloping Major, and did Caractacus fight his last gallant battle at Caer Caradoc? The reader is offered suggestions for many great days out and the answer to some of these questions.

This new full colour edition contains OS Landranger mapping with the routes marked on for ease of use. There is a supportive and informative introduction to the area and its history, plus all the practical information needed to plan and enjoy the walks. There are four special feature chapters on Bridgnorth, Ironbridge, Much Wenlock and Ludlow. There are 21 walks, which include the following locations: Bridgnorth and River Severn; Bewdley and the Wyre Forest; The Wrekin; Wenlock Edge; Presthope, Ippkin's Rock and Easthope; Hope Dale and the Edge; Stiperstones; The Long Mynd - Carding Mill Valley circuit; The Long Mynd - Ashes Hollow and Pole Bank; The Long Mynd - Minton and the Packhorse Way; Church Stretton, Helmeth Hill and Hope Bowdler Hill; Church Stretton and Caer Caradoc; Stokesay and Aldon; High Vinnals and Mary Knoll Valley; Knighton and the Panpunton Hills; Selley Hall and Llanfair Waterdine; Croft Castle; Brown Clee Hill; Clee Hill.

It lacks a coastline and none of its hills quite achieves mountain status, bur Shropshire has just about every other desirable feature a discerning walker could wish for. Here is a county that is deeply rural and with plenty of variety. The Severn sweeps through the county from he Breidden Hills in the west to the Wyre Forest in the south east effectively dividing Shropshire in two. To the north is a patchwork of dairy fields, hedgerows, copses and crops, broken at intervals by rugged sandstone ridges. South of the Severn lies the Shropshire Hills AONB with Wenlock Edge, the Long Mynd and the Wreakin, all magnificent features and a joy to walk with splendid views.

One of the AA County Walks series, this guide explores some of the best of Shropshire's countryside. It includes 50 themed walks of between 2 and 10 miles, each with fascinating background reading. There are clear, easy-to-follow route descriptions and full colour detailed sketch maps for every walk. Each walk chapter is prefaced by a practical information panel and then a section with interesting information on what to look out for during the walk. Details of places to eat and drink are provided, including guidance for dog owners on where to walk and dog-friendly establishments.

The walk locations include: Wellington; Prees; Market Drayton; Colehurst; Ironbridge; Coalport; Coalbrookdale; Bridgnorth; Dudmaston; Alveley; Highley; Wyre Forest; Cleobury Mortimer; Brown Clee Hills; Clee Hill; Wenlock Edge; Corve Dale; Wilderhope; Much Wenlock; Clive; Merrington Green; Shrewsbury; Lyth Hill; Ellesmere; Whittington; Frankton; Oswestry; Queen's Head; Hope Valley; Stiperstones; Earl's Hill; Bishops Castle; The Long Mynd; The Strettons; Caer Caradoc; Ludlow; Stokesay; Wart Hill; Callow Hill; Hope Dale; Bedstone; Sunnyhill; Offa's Dyke at Knighton; Clun; Black Hill; Clunton.

Shropshire is one of England's most rural and sparsely populated areas, providing a real treasure for walkers. The more obvious hill country lies to the south with its AONB status and to the western borderlands with Wales. But fascinating hill-tops also pop up further north and in the eastern parts of this varied district which offer the walker a very worthwhile outing.

All of the walks in this guide are circular and begin at a car park or safe parking location with the grid reference provided. Public transport options are given where available. The walks, between 3 and 8.5 miles long, are graded from easy to challenging. Distance and a short description of the terrain are also provided. Clear route directions are provided together with simple sketch maps. One of the features that make the 'Boot Up' series of guides so attractive is the emphasis on good landscape photography and the book is well illustrated throughout with colour photographs. The handy size also means it will slip easily into your pocket, protected by the tough cover.

The walk locations are: Brown Clee and Burwarton; Cleobury Mortimer and Mawley Hall; Clun and Bury Ditches; Craven Arms and Stokesay; Grinshill and Corbet Wood; Hope Bowdler Hill and Cardington; Lodge Hill and Old Mills; Lyth Hill; Mucklewick Hill and Flenny Bank; Wilderhope Manor.

Shropshire is justly proud of its villages and it is here that the essential character of this very rural county can be discovered. Within them or close by lies a rich heritage of ancient manor houses, black and white thatched cottages, parish churches, hills, rivers, canals and footpaths. And the best way to explore this glorious and varied landscape is on foot. The twenty circular routes in this book introduce the walker to some of the most picturesque villages such as Clun, Bromfield, Cleobury Mortimer, Highley and Tong.

Each careful walk instruction also includes details of how to get to the start, where to park and what food and drink are available locally. For greater clarity, the route descriptions are divided into numbered paragraphs which correspond with the numbers on the accompanying sketch maps. The walks vary in length from 3 to 7 miles, some with shorter or longer alternatives. There is also a seperate section about other places of interest nearby such as the Snailbeach Mining Museum, the Severn Valley Steam Railway, Boscobel House which played host to Charles 2nd after the Civil War Battle of Worcester, the Working Farm at Acton Scott, and Ironbridge.

Roy Woodcock lives in Worcestershire and is a retired geography teacher. An experienced and enthusiastic walker, he has completed many long distance paths.

This guide contains 20 walks of between 5 and 10 miles, most of which are suitable for all the family, and each with its own fascinating story. Shropshire is reputed to have more spookiness to the square mile than any other county in England. You'll be amazed at the number of places still haunted by ghosts, good and bad; ancient and modern.

The selection includes countryside, town and village walks. Hill rambles in the Stiperstones, the Long Mynd and along Offa's Dyke; valley strolls beside the River Severn and trails around the towns of Shrewsbury and Ludlow. Each walk has detailed directions, photographs, stories, and information about where to find refreshment along the way.

The walk locations are: Oswestry; Whittington; Ellesmere; Wem; Market Drayton; Newport; Shrewsbury; Bayston Hill; Earl's Hill; Chirbury; Mitchell's Fold; The Stiperstones; The Long Mynd; Plaish; Wenlock Edge; Much Wenlock; Ironbridge; Bridgnorth; Hopton Castle; Ludlow.

The beautiful county of Shropshire has many claims to fame, not least through the many colourful historical characters who either lived or had strong local associations there. In this unique book Roger presents fifteen walks that will take you through the areas where they lived, worked, died or acted out the events for which they have become renowned, while at the same time relating the principal events of their lives. In an original and distinctive style they are written through the characters' own eyes, as if they were telling their own stories, bringing both the walks and the characters alive. Meet Clive of India, Abraham Darby IV, Charles Darwin, Caractacus, Thomas Telford, Wild Edric, Hanging Judge Jeffreys, Mad Jack Mytton, Ippikin and Wild Humphrey Kynaston.

If, while walking, you have come across Wild Edric's Way, or the Jack Mytton Way, have marvelled at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct or the Iron Bridge, struggled up Caer Caradoc, or wondered about the truth of Kynaston's Leap, this book will provide you with an intriguing insight into the legends and the truths.

The walk locations are: Moreton Say; Lydbury North; Bromfield; Coalbrookdale; Shrewsbury; Maer; Church Stretton; Chirk; Norbury; Clun; Wem; Whittington; Presthope near Much Wenlock; Nesscliffe.

The Walks in this book cover some of the most beautiful countryside in Shropshire and along its border with Staffordshire. From quiet rural backwaters to scenic hill country there is plenty to suit every taste. The book will appeal both to more experienced walkers and, by the introduction of shorter alternatives, to casual walkers or those wishing to vary the length of their walk as mood or time constraints dictate.

The eighteen main walks of between 7 and 11.5 miles are arranged with a pub break conveniently located as near to half-way as possible. Short alternatives start and finish at the pub and range in distance from between 2.75 and 5.25 miles. The pubs vary in style and character but have generally been chosen to provide a watering hole in which the walker will feel welcome and comfortable, rather than for plush surroundings.

The walk locations are: Ashley; Colemere and Wem Moss; Knighton and Soudley; Offa's Dyke; Weston, Lee Brockhurst and Stanton; Bradley; Melverley; The Shropshire Union Canal and Belvide Reservoir; Worthen and Brockton; Earls Hill; Brockton and Wenlock Edge; Worfield; The Stiperstones and Norbury; Dudmaston; Trysull and Bratch Locks; Tugford and Clee St. Margaret; Bury Ditches and Clunton; Hopton Wafers.

The thirty walks in this guide combine some of the most beautiful scenery in Shropshire with the opportunity to enjoy a meal and a drink in a good local pub. The strolls vary in length between 1.5 and 3.5 miles and are suitable for all age groups. There is information about how to get to the start, where to park, and places of interest to visit en route or nearby. In addition, there are photographs of the pubs and sights along the way, and sketch maps with numbering to match the text.

The book offers a wealth of places to see and explore. There is the beautiful Clun Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty made famous by the poet A, E. Housman; the church in Melverley, a perfect example of Tudor construction built entirely from timber; the delightful gardens of Caynton Mill situated alongside the River Meese; and the 900 year old Ludlow Castle, one of the most interesting castles in England. Other routes take you through the heart of P. G. Wodehouse country; to the village of All Stretton at the base of the slopes of The Long Mynd; to an award-winning pub in Hilltop with a compliment of ghosts; along thetowpath of the Shropshire Union Canal at Hindford; and through Ironbridge, past the world's first bridge to be constructed of iron.

The full list of walk locations is: Whitchurch; Chirk Bank; Hindford; Queen's Head; Pant; Myddle; Goldstone Wharf, Cheswardine; Melverley; Nesscliffe; Tibberton; Uffington; Pontesbury; Ryton; Cressage; Ironbridge; Chirbury; Stiperstones; Bridges; All Stretton; Cardington; Hilltop; Ackleton; Bishop's Castle; Wistanstow; Aston on Clun; The Down; Chelmarsh; Bucknell; Ludlow; Cleobury Mortimer.

Water always adds interest to a walk and Shropshire has plenty of inland waterways to explore. There is the mighty River Severn and the smaller rivers Teme, Vyrnwy, Rea and Kemp, all of which find their way directly or indirectly to the Severn. Then there is the Shropshire Union Canal with its branches, the Llangollen and Montgomery Canals and not forgetting the many meres, brooks and reservoirs to explore.

The twenty circular routes in this book are all between 2.5 and 8.5 miles in length. They take the walker part of the way along the banks of these waterways and through some beautiful Shropshire scenery. Each walk is carefully described and also includes other information on how to get to the start, where to park, and where to go for refreshments locally. All the walks are based on a good local pub. For greater clarity, the route descriptions are divided into mumbered paragraphs which correspond with the numbers on the accompanying sketch maps. There is also a seperate section about places of interest to visit nearby such as the Severn Valley Railway which runs from Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade; Ludlow Castle; Earls Hill Nature Reserve; the famous Ironbridge; and Hodnet Hall Gardens near Market Drayton.

The walk locations are: Cheswardine and the Shropshire Union Canal; The Shropshire Union Canal and Market Drayton; Whitchurch and Grindley Brook Locks; Ellesmere and the Llangollen Canal; Hindford on the Llangollen Canal; Welsh Frankton and the Frankton Locks; The Montgomery Canal from Queen's Head; Maesbury Wharf and the Montgomery Canal; River and Canal at Llanymynech; The River Vyrnwy and the River Severn; Pontesbury and Two Brooks; The River Severn at Ironbridge; From Bridgnorth by river and brook; The Severn Valley - river and railway; Hampton Loade and Chelmarsh Reservoir; Highley from the Severn Valley Country Park; Upper Arley and the River Severn; The River Rea at Cleobury Mortimer; Bromfield and the River Teme; Bishop's Castle and the infant River Kemp.

What better way to spend a leisurely few hours than to drive to the countryside, stretch your legs and then visit a good pub for some fine food. The 40 circular routes in this book show how this can be done. Each route, starting and finishing at or near a recommended pub, is between 3 and 8 miles in length and takes the walker through some of the most beautiful scenery in England.

Shropshire offers walks from Oswestry, along part of the Offa's Dyke Path; the Stiperstone Hills, whose jagged chain of tors is a designated AONB; Ludlow, described by Sir John Betjeman as 'the most perfect town in England'; and Little Wenlock, where a walk up onto the 407m high Wrekin is a treat indeed.

Staffordshire features Alrewas, one of the most picturesque ancient villages in the county; a walk at Norbury which includes a section of the Shropshire Union Canal; and a climb up the Roaches, with many wonderful views to enjoy.

In the West Midlands there is a walk through Sutton Park, with its 2,400 acres of countryside; a walking tour of Coventry, with a fascinating blend of old and new architecture; beautiful Berkswell, along part of the Heart of England Way; and Cannon Hill Park, a conservation area which boasts wildflower meadows and a wide variety of birds.

The full walk locations are: Shropshire - Bishop's Castle; Oswestry; Stiperstone; Ruyton Xl Towns; Ellesmere Lakes; Craven Arms; Carding Mill Valley; Uffington; Ludlow; Whitchurch; Wenlock Edge; Little Wenlock; Cleehill; Eardington, near Bridgnorth; Cheswardine. Staffordshire - Norbury; Kinver; Hill Top; Brewood; Wombourne; Barlaston; Cannock Chase; Meerbrook; Abbots Bromley; Dimmingsdale; Ellastone; Grindon; Whittington; Alrewas; Tatenhill. West Midlands - Penn; Leasowes Park; Dudley; Walsall Wood; Cannon Hill Park; Sutton Park; Solihull; Marston Green; Berkswell; Coventry.