Walking Around Church Stretton
Church
Stretton, in the heart of Shropshire's finest walking country, has an
idylic location. Set in a narrow valley, with the Long Mynd ridge to
the west and the Stretton Hills and Caer Caradoc to the east, it's attractive
red roofed houses fit snugly into the environment. It has a long history
as a country market town, being granted a market charter by King John
in 1214, and Thursday markets are still held here.
From
the northern outskirts of the town the walk along the Beautiful Cardingmill
Valley and up onto the open Long Mynd ridge makes a very enjoyable excursion.
There is an ancient trackway, The Port Way, along the 16km length of
the ridgeway offering spectacular views in all directions. Over 4,500
acres of heath and moorland on the Long Mynd are safe in the protection
of the National Trust.
From
the town there are also paths to the east up to Caer Caradoc, at 500m
the highest point on the Stretton Hills. There is a well known cave
about halfway up this hillside where according to local legend the British
Chieftain Caractacus made his last stand against the Romans in AD50.
If you only have
time for a taster walk in Church Stretton then plan a route to sample
both the Stretton Hills and the Long Mynd. Head east to Helmeth Wood,
a Woodland Trust nature reserve, and then make for the east side of
Caer Caradoc via the lower slopes of Hope Bowdler. Go around the north
slopes of Caer Caradoc and then head west, crossing the main road and
railway, to All Stretton. Ascend the Long Mynd, follow the ridgeway
for a short distance and finally decend back to the start.
OS Maps: Explorer 217
A Walk from Church Stretton
[SO 453036]
This is awalk onto the Long Mynd along mostly moorland tracks and paths.
Leave Church Stretton by Old Rectory Wood, picking up the path that
follows Town Brook and climbs to eventually meet a road which you cross
to ascend to Pole Bank where the route meets the Jack Mytton Way. Follow
the Way south and you will soon join the road again. Follow the road
and then turn left along a path signed for Little Stretton. On reaching
Little Stretton follow a path heading north, parallel but west of the
B5477 road back to Church Stretton.
Best Pub for this walk
Royal Oak, Cardington Tel: 01694 771266 (Good Pub Guide)
Excellent bar food and restaurant
This walk is fully described in the guidebook '50 Walks in Shropshire'
by Julie Royle
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