Round Hill

On 20 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

A very short (2.3 miles) and pleasantly shady walk – it’s warm and sunny! – up the leafy track past Round Hill to the Shirlett plateau, and down again through the forested hillside. Is that rustling a blackbird? No, it’s a small deer, perhaps 2-3 metres away, fairly well hidden – so no photos – in undergrowth beyond the fence. It’s sensed our presence, and is gone – no hurry, but it’s soon out of sight. We return to the car along the quiet road through the Smithies. Everyone else (perhaps half-a-dozen) is riding a bicycle. Have we missed something?

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367107&Y=297480&A=Y&Z=115

To Atterley

On 14 May 202014 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

…from Much Wenlock, through leafy lanes and orchards to this hamlet at the end of a very minor road. As well as the road, which we would need to use to continue our wanderings, three public footpaths meet at Atterley (the one we’re on and two others) – but there seems to be no obvious connection between the paths and the road, and the rights of way on the OS map don’t correspond with the signing around the settlement. A kind and helpful young lady pointed us in the right direction – “you’re not the first I’ve had to help”, or words to that effect…
Heading back, a long straight lane takes us to towards Callaughton, then we head across the fields (with the oilseed rape towering above us) and down another leafy lane to return to Wenlock. An interesting and most enjoyable walk!

The Manager's House (Wenlock gas works!)

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=362765&Y=298325&A=Y&Z=120

A change of scene

On 13 May 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, Walks1 Comment

We’re walking past Hurst Farm pools, then across the field to Shore Pool, where there are bluebells in the woods. The estate road takes us up past the house at Aldenham Park, and soon after, we’ve closed the circle and are heading back past the pools towards the car. We were here just two months ago – what a change! The bare fields are now green – and yellow; the trees are in leaf, and it’s good to be somewhere different. It almost feels like being on holiday, just four miles from home…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366905&Y=295705&A=Y&Z=120

Dudmaston and Carding Mill

On 30 Apr 2020 By geoffspagesIn NT and EH, Photography, Shropshire hillsLeave a comment

30 April 2006: a spring visit to the National Trust property south of Bridgnorth
30 April 2012: a short walk from the Carding Mill valley, up past the waterfall to the plateau, and back down Mott’s Road. I think it was the first dry day after several very wet ones – the streams were full and overflowing

Dudmaston NT; Carding Mill Valley NT

Before and after dark

On 27 Apr 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hillsLeave a comment

27 April 2006: We were due at the Railwayman’s Arms later, but we would try to make the most of the fine evening with a visit to the hill fort at Nordy Bank, on the south-western flanks of Brown Clee. The sunset was interesting, with high clouds like great birds (the beer at the station was, as always, excellent)

Wyke in April

On 16 Apr 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills1 Comment

16 April 2015: it’s one of our regular short routes, not far from home. It looks as though it was a hazy day…

Vernal equinox

On 21 Mar 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Or was it yesterday? Whichever, we’re at the start of the lighter and warmer half of the year, and next weekend, the clocks go forward (at last!). The plants in hedgerow, forest and field are certainly springing into life and flower, with total disregard for any dodgy viruses the human race may be affected by. The wind (from the east) is chilly, and the sunshine less bright than forecast, but it’s good to be out on Wenlock Edge.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=361530&Y=300385&A=Y&Z=120

Benthall Edge in early spring

On 17 Mar 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Not much sunshine today – but that won’t really matter under the trees on Benthall Edge. The season is gathering pace – lambs bound and spring flowers abound.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365470&Y=302620&A=Y&Z=120

To Sheinton, Harley, Wigwig and Homer

On 16 Mar 202002 Nov 2023 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

A walk from the centre of Much Wenlock, down into the quiet countryside and curiously-named hamlets below the Edge. There are wild deer roaming the fields near Belswardine, and outside Harley church, there’s a comfortable wooden bench, warmed by the sunshine – a perfect place for lunch! The part-time ford at Wigwig is in water today, and the field above Homer is a bit slippery, but we’re soon past the worst as we enter the woods for the remaining stroll back to Wenlock. It’s been a perfect early spring day.

View OS map on Streetmap https://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=361305&Y=301955&A=Y&Z=120

Harnage Grange and Kenley

On 15 Mar 2020 By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

We’re walking along very quiet roads (one car per mile?) in the country below the Wenlock Edge. The ground is drying, but there’s been some heavy rain overnight, and the fields look very soggy in places. The afternoon is gradually improving – by the end, the sun is picking out details here and there in the landscape. Walking along Kenley ridge would be a scenic highlight, if we could see through the hedges (the camera can do it – poked through a gap…). An enjoyable little outing!