This month’s walks are located in the Welsh Border area of Shropshire around Bishop’s Castle. All walks are linear and end in Bishop’s Castle where there are the usual facilities.
‘A’ Walk
Starting from Brompton crossroads we walk through Mellington Hall Gatehouse and along Offas Dyke. The undulating path drops down to the picturesque church at Churchtown where we have lunch. After lunch we climb up to Offs Dyke again and follow it to Hergan where we meet Wild Edric who leads us to the Shropshire Way. We go past Shadwell Hill and continue through woodland via Cwmmawr dingle Bishop’s Castle and the Six Bells Brewery.
Distance: 11 ½ miles Ascent: 2,300 ft Leaders: John and Edwina Roberts, Margaret Pegg
‘B+’ Walk
Starting at Fox Farm on the A488, grid reference SJ350017, we head eastwards via Hogstow Hall to Crowsnest Dingle, where we climb steadily to the Stiperstone ridge. Heading south we join the Shropshire Way before reaching the imposing rock formations of Devil's Chair and Manstone Rocks. Continuing south-west on the Shropshire Way we traverse Linley Hill before reaching the valley to walk into Bishop's Castle via Lydham.
Distance: 11 miles. Ascent: 1700 feet. Leaders: David Poole, Steve McIlraith
‘B’ Walk
Starting from the Old Post Office (SO 326995) on the A488, we head south east to the village of Shelve. We then turn south over Flenny Banks to continue over Mucklewick Hill before descending into the hamlet of Nind. We next follow the river West Onny to Linley where we join the Shropshire Way to Lydham and on to our destination, Bishop’s Castle.
Distance: miles: 8.5 miles Ascent: 750 ft Leaders: John McEvoy, David Wake
‘C’ Walk
Leaving the main road at Welsh Lodge, we follow quiet lanes to Hayes Wood to join the Shropshire Way. This path takes us through fields to Lydham and eventually to Bishop’s Castle.
Distance: 6 ½ miles. Ascent: 500 ft. Leaders: David Turton, Steve Wright