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Walking the Shropshire Way

A two-week circular trail including the Wrekin, Stiperstones and Wenlock Edge

ISBN

9781786310088

Availability

Published

25 Oct 2019

Reprinted

1 Jul 2022

Edition

First

Pages

192

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.15cm

Weight

220g

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Guidebook describing a 2 week trail around Shropshire. The 182 mile (290km) route is made up of two loops centred on Shrewsbury and visits Stiperstones, Wenlock Edge, Ironbridge and the Wrekin. Also describes the challenging 20 mile (32km) Stretton Skyline Walk.

Seasons

The walk can be done in all seasons, but spring, summer and autumn are best as woodland paths can be slippery in winter. Regardless of the season, waterproofs are essential

Centres

Shrewsbury, Bishop's Castle, Clun, Craven Arms, Ludlow, Much Wenlock, Ironbridge, Wellington, Wem, Whitchurch, Ellesmere, Llanymynech, Nesscliffe

Difficulty

The well-marked Way is 182-200 miles, depending on the route chosen, and requires moderate fitness and a good pair of walking boots to cover approximately 12 miles each day. The hills are generally gentle and rolling, although Stiperstones has a rough quartzite ridge

Must See

Shrewsbury's ancient architecture; the Stiperstones; Offa's Dyke; Clun Castle; historic Ludlow; Brown Clee Hill (Shropshire's highest); Wenlock Edge; Ironbridge, birthplace of the Industrial Revolution; the Shropshire Union Canal; Haughmond Abbey; Grinshill sandstone quarry

ISBN

9781786310088

Availability

Published

25 Oct 2019

Reprinted

1 Jul 2022

Edition

First

Pages

192

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.15cm

Weight

220g

Overview

A guidebook to walking the Shropshire Way. Covering 290km (182 miles), this long-distance circular trek exploring the area around Shrewsbury can be hiked in around 2 weeks and is suitable for all reasonably fit walkers.

The route is described in 15 stages, each between 18 and 24km (11–15 miles) in length, and comprises two loops that can each be walked separately in a week or combined to form a 2-week trek. The challenging 2-day Stretton Skyline Walk (32km, 20 miles) is also included.

1:50,000 OS maps included for each stage
GPX files available to download
Detailed information on facilities, public transport and accommodation on route
Advice on planning and preparation
Highlights include Stiperstones and Wenlock Edge

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Overview map

Overview profile

Map key

Foreword

Route summary table

Introduction

The Shropshire Way

Shropshire’s history

Shropshire’s geology (by Ronald Turnbull)

Wildlife and plants

When to go

Getting there

Getting around

Accommodation and planning

Safety

What to take

Using GPS

Waymarking

Using this guide

The Shropshire Way

Stage 1 Shrewsbury to Bridges

Stage 2 Bridges to Bishop’s Castle

Stage 3 Bishop’s Castle to Clun

Stage 4 Clun to Craven Arms

Stage 5 Craven Arms to Ludlow

Stage 6 Ludlow to Wheathill

Stage 7 Wheathill to Wilderhope Manor

Stage 8 Wilderhope to Ironbridge

Stage 9 Ironbridge to Wellington

Stage 10 Wellington to Haughmond

Stage 10A Haughmond to Shrewsbury link

Stage 11 Haughmond to Wem

Stage 12 Wem to Ellesmere and Whitchurch

Stage 13 Ellesmere to Llanymynech

Stage 14 Llanymynech to Nesscliffe

Stage 15 Nesscliffe to Shrewsbury

Stretton Skyline Walk

Appendix A Facilities table

Appendix B Accommodation

Appendix C Travel information

Appendix D Useful contacts

Updates

November 2024

Benthall Edge to Ironbridge update (P97/98)

Landslip in the region has made the Shropshire Way as described in the book tricky. Final decisions on the route have yet to be made but this is an interim solution.

Go through a kissing gate behind the houses and climb to a stile in the top left-hand corner of the field. Now follow the hedge to another stile, which leads into Benthall Edge Wood. A path runs along the high edge of the wood.

The path soon divides and a route decision has to be made as recent landslides have made the old main route tricky. The Shropshire Way Association has devised an alternative route by way of Benthall Hall and there is a slight diversion to avoid the landslips, which may be rather muddy in places, although useable.

Main route:

Take the left fork, then a few paces later follow the right fork which angles steadily down through the woods. On reaching a kissing gate near the bottom turn right along an undulating path that eventually descends to the old railway trackbed of the Severn Valley line.

A short way on, at Bower Yard,are the remains of an old siding and lime kilns.

Continue along the old railway to a road, where a left turn takes you over the famous old dusky red-painted Iron Bridge to the Square in the centre of Ironbridge.

Alternative foul weather route

Benthall Edge alternative (2.195 MB)

Take the right fork path then turn right through a walkers’ gate next to a farm gate. This leads to a farm track which should be followed along the field-edge. Soon after passing the brick-built farmhouse and outbuildings of the Benthall Estate the track comes to Benthall Hall’s visitor car park. Turn left here and go through the smaller of two gates onto another track passing St Bartholomew’s Church, beyond which there are glimpses of the main hall. Through another gate go straight on along a field-edge track which passes beneath rows of pylons before coming across more gates close to a junction of tracks. Take the track on the right. This comes to a road-end. Follow this down to the outskirts of Broseley, ignoring a right fork lane. At the bottom of the lane turn left downhill towards Ironbridge. As you approach Ironbridge follow the pavement on the right side of the road as it veers slightly away and down towards some houses. Some steps at its end take you down to the old Iron Bridge in the centre of town.

February 2023

Diversion at Mountfields (p161)

Shrewsbury council says the Shropshire Way path in Mountfields is unstable and has prohibited its use between its junction with Mount Street to the steps at the bottom of Hunter Street. The Order expires in June 2023.

To avoid this turn right up Mount Street then left along Alma Street. Turn right down to the end of Hunter Street where you turn right along the continuing Shropshire Way (signed path).

December 2021

2022 Reprint route updates

1008 Shropshire Way 2022 Rpt updates (3.771 MB)

July 2021

Temporary closures

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT A TEMPORARY CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE SHROPSHIRE WAY ASSOCIATION

The SW main route is closed from Monday 24th May for up to 6 months at the moment from the north end of Drinkwater Street (SJ48681308) in Frankwell to Doctor’s Field (SJ48421315) and vice versa, while the riverside footpath is closed for embankment stabilisation works.

There is a suggested description of the alternative route. It adds some 250 metres to the route.

From the top of the steps at the north end of Drinkwater Street (SJ48681308), follow this street south for 80 metres to Hermitage Walk. Turn right and follow this path for 170 metres until it becomes the pavement of The Mount. Continue along this for a further 160 metres until a narrow footpath between brick walls goes right. Descend this footpath for 120 metres until it joins the riverside footpath at SJ48421315.

At SJ48421315, at a noticeboard, a footpath leaves the riverside route to the right, crosses Doctor’s Field and climbs up to meet The Mount after 120 metres. Turn left along the pavement for 160 metres until a tarmac path (Hermitage Walk) bears left. Follow this path for a further 170 metres until it meets Drinkwater Street. Turn left and follow this street for 80 metres until you reach the top of some steps. Turn right here (SJ48681308) onto the narrow footpath which is the SWMR.

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MONTGOMERY CANAL TOWPATH BETWEEN REDWITH BRIDGE AND CRICKHEATH WHARF

The canal towpath used by SW main route is closed until 31 October 2021 between Pryce’s Bridge and Crickheath Bridge and for canal restoration works. This will necessitate a diversion NW along the road from Redwith Bridge SJ 301 241 then a cross-field path SW to the B4396, followed by another field path in the grounds of Tankard Hall. A lane then leads back to Crickheath Bridge where the towpath continues to Llanymynech. (see diagram)

April 2021

Route west of Brown Clee Hill

The Shropshire Way Association has made a change to the Shropshire Way due to constant poor ground conditions over some land.

The route change is between SO 57527 88108 and SO 57923 87771 around New Earnstrey Park in Abdon and Tugford Parish, Shropshire, so the new route will follow the County Road rather than cut across the fields. New route is shown in red on the map.

On P87 of the guidebook it should now read:

Turn left along the lane, passing New Earnstrey Park Farm before turning left at the next junction. Follow the stony, grass-islanded track to Earnstrey Hall.

November 2020

Correction

Altitude chart pages 6 and 7

The first summit should be labelled Wilderley Hill. Stiperstones should point to the next summit at 530m and 18 miles.

August 2020

Teashop closed

Page 63 The guide says that the route turns after passing the Tea on the Way teashop. Unfortunately, this has now permanently closed therefore there will be nothing for a walker to use as a marker to make a left turn.

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Downloads

Walking the Shropshire Way - GPX File

By John Gillham

John Gillham has been a professional writer, illustrator and photographer since 1989. His first book was Snowdonia to the Gower: a Coast-to-Coast Walk Across Highest Wales. He also pioneered three other long-distance routes: Lakeland to Lindisfarne, Pennine Ways and the Bowland–Dales Traverse, all of which were published in book form. John’s recent books include The Pictorial Guides to the Mountains of Snowdonia Volumes 1–4, Best Day Walks in Snowdonia and the AA Leisure Guide to Wales. John writes for several outdoor publications, and two of his books have won the Outdoor Writers & Photographers Guild Award for Excellence.

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