There are some possibly-heavy showers about: a visit to Stokesay Castle will be pleasant if it stays dry, and will provide welcome shelter if it rains (it didn’t!). The nearby church is worth a visit too.
Stokesay Castle (English Heritage)
Category: Shropshire hills
Bears and the Mynd
If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise…
That may be true, for the unsuspecting, but I must admit that I’d hoped we might find them… They’re in the trees beside the Long Mynd Hotel, and rather fine they are too. We’re taking a walk on the Mynd, from a different starting point – the little car park at the top of Cunnery Road, and making a small ursine detour before tackling the steep path up the Ashlet hillside. We’ll walk towards the Boiling Well, before cutting across to the top of the Light Spout valley, to return to the start past the waterfall, down the Carding Mill valley and through Rectory Woods. A very pleasant outing, perfect for this cold (is this really June?), windy but dry afternoon.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=343480&Y=294411&A=Y&Z=120
Wenlock to Perkley
An easy wander to the south-west of Wenlock, on the last day of (meteorological) spring. There are wild flower meadows, fields of wheat, barley, oats and potatoes (and oilseed rape, almost completely faded), and hidden ways between lines of trees. Other than the power station chimney and cooling towers (not for much longer) it’s a rural and unspoiled landscape.
View OD map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=361430&Y=298891&A=Y&Z=120
The Bannister’s Round
It’s become a favourite – a very enjoyable circular route from Much Wenlock, down through Traps Coppice and into Bannister’s Coppice, then beside Sheinton Brook and back up through Homer. There was a chance of rain earlier in the afternoon – this route is mostly in attractive woodland, but in the event we didn’t need shelter. By the time we’d topped the edge above Homer, the day had changed for the better.
View OS map on Streetmap http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=362175&Y=301916&A=Y&Z=120
Topley and The Speller
Another afternoon that’s too good to waste… We’re starting at the top of the Rushbury to Beambridge road, where it crests the Wenlock Edge, and walking around the rotund hill at Topley, along quiet farm lanes and tracks. Our return takes us through Upper Millichope and intriguingly-named “The Speller”, just one part of more extensive woodlands hereabout. It’s attractive country too – walking uphill, back towards the edge, we’re in deciduous territory, where the sunshine dapples the undergrowth. Lastly, buttercup meadows lead us to the track along the edge, back to the start.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=352060&Y=289946&A=Y&Z=120
Shore Pool and Aldenham
A short wander past Hurst Farm pools, and across the fields to a well-hidden pool, returning up the drive of Aldenham Park before retracing our steps past the fishermen – most of whom seem to have gone home.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366935&Y=295736&A=Y&Z=120
Benthall and Wyke
We’ve parked at Benthall Hall, and followed (mostly) quiet ways, to Posenhall and Wyke, and back via Benthall Edge Woods. After damp days, and misty days, it’s dry and bright – barely a cloud in the sky, and the air’s clear and cool. Perfect walking weather!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365545&Y=302351&A=Y&Z=120
