The other road at Shirlett: a short walk down the lane and through the woods to the redundant trig. point on Hawthorn Bank, and a fine view to the Clee hills.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365200&Y=297975&A=Y&Z=120
The air temperature is comfortable – 20 or 21 degrees, no more, but the sun is strong. Once again, some shade would be pleasant. There’s plenty of shade on this short out-and-back walk – and some open stretches where there are views to the Wrekin, and the Clee Hills.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366090&Y=298085&A=Y&Z=120
5 May 2006: Making the most of a fine spring evening, 14 years ago. Shirlett is an area of relatively high ground in the triangle between Bridgnorth, Broseley and Much Wenlock. With no through roads, and just a few scattered houses, it’s quiet.
A linear walk from home, out to Willey and Shirlett (from where, if the phone’s working, I’ll arrange a lift). There’s a hint of colour in the south-western sky, otherwise the landscape is dull and grey – except in the woods, where there’s colour under the trees. These are quiet places – exceptionally so today, just the sound here and there of running water, accompanied by occasional birdsong. Just what’s needed!
It’s a still, calm evening; the cooling air feels heavy. We’ll follow the road alongside the woods, and the track through the trees to the trig point – just the thing for a gentle leg-stretch.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365222&Y=297946&A=Y&Z=120
We’re circling the Willey estate (have to circle it – can’t go through it. Private. Keep out) on a fine, still November afternoon. There’s some bright sunshine early on, lighting the remaining leaves and the odd bit of bracken. Later, as we pass the medieval old hall and head up through the woods, the sun is dimming, and we’re into the gloom of late afternoon.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366255&Y=299041&A=Y&Z=120
Mild, dry, a light breeze – we ought to stretch our legs. How about Shirlett? It’s very pleasant up here – quiet, some good views, and we’re on our own until the last half-mile between the Hurst Farm pools and the car.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366610&Y=296976&A=Y&Z=120
25 December: a day when we get out, weather permitting, for a walk and a breath of fresh air. On this Christmas Day, there’s no shortage of the latter – quite a stiff breeze, though the route we’re following will be sheltered. It’s certainly not cold – 13C according to the Met Office. It’ll soon be dark though – better get back to the car, and head for home and Christmas tea (featuring, among other things, a rather fine locally hand-built pork pie). Merry Christmas everyone!
We were here (Streetmap): http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365980&Y=298106&A=Y&Z=120
They sound like a firm of solicitors, don’t they? Wednesday afternoon: we’re walking around the Willey estate. Sadly, there are few public footpaths through this pleasant patch, and a significant part of the route is on roads – very quiet ones, apart from the B-road from Barrow. There’s a fine crop of blackberries along the field edges, though of course the devil’s in them now. The clouds begin to thicken as we make our way through Willey, and though we weren’t expecting rain, we have to shelter for a while (still plenty of leaves on the trees). It soon clears, and we head on up through the forest to Shirlett, where one or two more extensive views open up.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=366190&Y=298996&A=Y&Z=120
Rights of way are not, it would appear, set in concrete (far from it – it was distinctly wet underfoot today) – this one has only recently appeared on the Ordnance Survey map. On the ground, the signs describe it as a “Restricted Byway”. It’s fairly obvious that the route has existed for a long time – through the woodlands, and the wonderful green road as we descend. It makes possible a very pleasant circular walk, between Shirlett and Muckley Cross (I’ve added a lead-in to the circle in order to park the car somewhere sensible). It’s fine, dry, bright but cold afternoon, and there are one or two early signs of spring – the trees are full of twittering birds (blue tits, great tits – teacher, teacher, teacher – and robins galore). There are one or two daffodils out, and in places the hawthorn is greening rapidly – much too soon, I suspect. Is there a chance of snow later in the week?
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=364774&Y=296785&A=Y&Z=115 (not yet shown on 1:50,000 map)
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