Category: Shropshire hills

Sheinton Coppices

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Wandering south of the Severn, through quiet woodlands and fields. The OS map defines several of the small woods as coppices, and one or two were still recognisable as such, though no recent work was obvious – unlike the extensive clearance that had been taking place at Traps Coppice. A small herd of wild deer grazed on the hillside just to the north of Farley Coppice – if they had seen us, they weren’t concerned. The rabbit saw us eventually…

Map
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=362460&Y=303461&A=Y&Z=120

Packetstone and Ashes

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Having made a plan, one should adhere to it… This walk was going to be “Callow Hollow and…”, but when we’d followed the route through the plantation to gain access to Callow Hollow, we looked at the descent, then looked at the steep but inviting ridge ahead – and continued up the hill instead. The good path which we joined on reaching the plateau gradually fizzled out, and we eventually gained the road after struggling through tussocky heather. There is, of course, an excellent track on the southern flank of Packetstone Hill, but I’d forgotten about it…

We had debated leaving jackets in the car – although the air was cold, the sunshine in Little Stretton was comfortably warm. We got this decision right – we were glad of them on top where, when the sun dodged behind the clouds (few and far between) the breeze became a bitter wind. Dropping down into Ashes Hollow, we were out of the wind, and the late afternoon sunshine was very pleasant.

Map

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=342505&Y=292436&A=Y&Z=120

A breezy day on Brown Clee

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Saturday afternoon:  we started out up the eastern slopes, where woodland (despite recent felling) and the hill itself were sheltering us from the breeze. On top, that breeze was an icy blast – what a contrast after a balmy Friday evening. The view to the west was extensive – the Brecon Beacons clearly defined to the south-west, some 55 miles distant according to the toposcope on Abdon Burf – but we didn’t stay long, cutting back through the woodland edge at the col. Once we were just a few feet lower, in the lee, it was a warm and pleasant afternoon again – perfect for wandering slowly down through the estate and back to the car.

MapView OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=359915&Y=286471&A=Y&Z=120

Hopesay Hill and Wart Hill

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks2 Comments

Hopesay lies in a side valley off the Clun valley – so quiet that it should have been listed with the latter’s “quietest places under the sun”. Its hill, owned by the National Trust, is an airy grassy ridge, adorned by a well-placed clump of trees. Wart Hill, immediately to the north of Hopesay Hill, is clad in forestry pines, which thin towards its top sufficiently to appreciate how good the view would be if they were all cut down… It’s Easter Sunday, but there are few others about – one or two walkers, a farmer tending his sheep. And, of course, the buzzards – and red kites (or possibly one red kite three times). One landed in a tree close by, a brief glimpse of colour before he was away again, too quick for the camera (or its operator…)

MapView OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=339460&Y=284065&A=Y&Z=120

Better weather

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks3 Comments

It’s grey and damp today – but Friday and Saturday afternoons were positively springlike. There are few signs of spring, but the air is warmer, the breeze less biting. Friday’s wander was around Coalbrookdale, up and down through the woodlands. Yesterday was Wenlock’s turn, heading through the town, up past the windmill and along the edge.

Coalbrookdale:

Much Wenlock and the edge:

Barrow, Willey and Shirlett

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

It’s dry and bright, a good afternoon for exploring. It would have been sunnier too, if we’d not been tied up earlier in the day. There are three stretches of road walking en route – the first, the Wenlock to Broseley road, is fairly busy, but there’s ample verge to hop onto when needs must, and it’s downhill… The other roads are very quiet, and quieter still, respectively. And away from the lanes, there’s just the birds, twittering and rustling in the undergrowth. It may be half-term, but there’s no-one else about.

MapView OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365975&Y=298916&A=Y&Z=120