Shropshire

The remote and romantic Shropshire Hills form part of the ancient border Marches. These Welsh border lands have been fought over and disputed throughout much of our history. Of course, no one disputes the border today, any more than they would dispute the beauty of the region and the rich diversity of it's landscape.

The complex geology of the area is largely responsible for the immense variety of the scenery which makes Shropshire so interesting and such a joy to walk. For example the Wrekin consists of ancient volcanic lava, whilst Wenlock Edge, just 30km south west, was once at the bottom of an ancient sea and is composed of carboniferous limestone. In fact Shropshire claims to be unique in the world, in having rocks from ten of the twelve geological periods within it's boundaries.

The northern part of the county around Ellesmere was dramatically affected by being at the extremity of the ice sheets during the last ice age. Huge glaciers deposited the clay, gravel and sand found in these areas as they receded; but not before their awesome power had scooped out the depressions which today make Ellesmere a lake district in miniature.

There is diversity too, in the character of the county's towns. Ludlow, a delightfully rural market town dominated by it's imposing castle, retains much of the charm of a bygone age. It's beautiful black and white timbered builings, so typical of Shropshire where oak forests were once widespread, can overwhelm the visitor with it's cosy atmosphere. But Ludlow is a thriving community and has earned itself a reputation as a gastonomic centre of excellence. Not that far away Telford is a dynamic modern town full of high technology industry built upon the foundations of the industrial revolution, which all began here at Ironbridge, now a World Heritage site.

There are endless walking possibilities within Shropshire's 5,000km of public paths, but the most important areas are the hills of the south west between Ludlow and Shrewsbury. Church Stretton, roughly in the centre of this area is an excellent base from which to explore the Long Mynd, a dramatic ridge of ancient heather clad hills which tower over the town. One of the most popular circuits climbs through the beautiful Carding Mill Valley, one of a number of ravines cutting through the eastern flank of the hills.

Other important hills include Wenlock Edge, Stiperstones, Clee Hills and Clun Forest. All offer spectacular open walking and panoramic vistas. The quiet, green valleys and Dales between these ranges are also beautiful walking country.

	Guide Books: [For further information or to purchase]
	Best Shropshire Walks by: Les Lumsdon The walks in this book are located in all parts of the county. Several feature fine hill walking on the Welsh borderlands, including stretches along Offa's Dyke, The Long Mynd and Caer Caradoc. Others start from delightful villages and hamlets in the north and east of the county, such as Acton Burnell, Myddle, Stottesdon and Welshampton. Many of the walks are 5 to 6 miles in length to suit the interested walker looking for a pleasant day in the Shropshire countryside. A few are shorter to meet family requirements and an equal number feature more demanding walks for those who like to set a pace. There are clear maps and a selection of photographs to make for an enjoyable and informative read.
	50 Walks in Shropshire by: Julie Royle. 50 themed walks of between 2 and 10 miles, each with fascinating background reading. There are clear, easy-to-follow route descriptions, including detailed sketch maps, for every walk. 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.
	Pub Walks in Shropshire by: Peter Kerr. 20 circular walks from 3 to 6.5 miles are described in detail and marked on the accompanying sketch maps. Shropshire is a county steeped in history and this book offers a chance to seek out some of the county's past in a rewarding range of walks. The 20 walk locations are: Norton in Hales, near Market Drayton; Calverhall near Whitchurch; Whixall near Whitchurch; Uckington near Shrewsbury; Little Wenlock, The Wrekin; Coalport, near Telford; Claverley, near Bridgnorth; Munslow; Shatterford; Angelbank, near Cleehill; Llanfair Waterdine, near Knighton; Newcastle on Clun; Craven Arms; Lydbury North; Wentnor; Minsterley; Myddle; Llynclys, near Oswestry; Candy, near Oswestry; Loppington, near Ellesmere.
	Shropshire Walks with Ghosts and Legends by: Dorothy Nicolle. 20 walks of between 5 and 10 miles, and each with its own fascinating story. 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.
	Waterside Walks in Shropshire by: Peter Kerr. 20 circular routes between 2.5 and 8.5 miles in length. Locations are: Cheswardine and the Shropshire Union Canal; Market Drayton; Whitchurch and Grindley Brook Locks; Ellesmere and the Llangollen Canal; Hindford; Welsh Frankton and the Frankton Locks; Queen's Head; Maesbury Wharf and the Montgomery Canal; Llanymynech; The River Vyrnwy and the River Severn; Pontesbury and Two Brooks; Ironbridge; 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.
	Walks to Wet Your Whistle by: Roger Seedhouse. 18 main walks of between 7 and 11.5 miles are arranged with a pub break located as near to half-way as possible. Short alternatives (3 to 5 miles) start and finish at the pub. The pubs vary in style and character but have been chosen to feel welcome and comfortable, rather than for plush surroundings. 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.
	Teashop Walks in Shropshire by: Julie Meech. 25 walks (mostly circular) ranging from 3 to 10 miles. There's a variety of tea shops; from cottages to castles, each offering scrumptious treats, with vegetarian alternatives wherever possible. Locations are: Shrewsbury; Oswestry; Ellesmere; Whitchurch; Wem; Harmer Hill; Hadnall; Ironbridge; Jackfield; Much Wenlock; Bridgnorth and Astley Abbotts; Bridgnorth and Rindleford; Bridgnorth and Eardington; Billingsley; Cleobury Mortimer; Ludlow and Bromfield; Ludlow and Mary Knoll; Onibury; Stokesay Castle; Clungunford; Clun; Bishop's Castle; Church Stretton and the Long Mynd; Church Stretton and Hope Bowdler; Church Stretton and Caer Caradoc.
	Village Walks in Shropshire by: Roy Woodcock. 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. 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. 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 and Ironbridge.