Clun to Llanfair Waterdine Route 1 Serenity, Conflict and Inspiration Ride Clun Castle Shropshire Clun Castle began as a motte and bailey castle built by the Norman, Robert de Say, around 1140-50. It was originally built with timber defences but these were replaced by a stone structure to create a formidable Norman fortress. The castle became the property of the Fitzalan family who endeavoured to make the village a place where Welsh and English cultures of keeping out the Welsh? In total the would intermingle but their effort was monument is 80 miles long and the Offa’s short-lived. The castle Dyke Path National Trail follows most of its was abandoned in the course. late 13th century and consequently fell into Rivers Clun and Teme ruin. The remains are The River Clun rises in the Clun Forest hills, under the guardianship near Anchor, and meanders south east to Described by Housman as one of the ‘quietest In order to quell a Welsh uprising against of English Heritage and join the River Teme. The source of the Teme places under the sun’ Clun may have a sleepy the Norman Conquest King William created are freely accessible to is in mid Wales and forms the England- façade but this belies this active little town. the Marcher Lordships. These were granted the public. Wales border for much of its length in It’s ancient origin’s can be traced from Saxon to his most valued supporters and they Shropshire. These rivers support significant times and the settlement has a history of were given virtual independence as long Offa’s Dyke populations of otters. This is a conservation growth as a prosperous market town to a as they upheld and protected the Norman You will cross the mighty earthwork, Offa’s success story and many stretches of decline becoming a charming backwater lands. Clun was the location chosen by the Dyke, believed to have been built by King water throughout the county in the heart of the Shropshire Hills. Here Marcher Lords to build their line of defence. Offa of Mercia in the late eigth century AD. now provide homes traditions survive, the most notable being The remains of this stronghold still overlook Archaeologists argue the purpose of the for these elusive the annual Green Man Festival in May. This is the town. Look back as you climb up out of earthwork – was it purely delineating the animals after an when Frostie, Queen of Cold challenges the the Clun for a glorious view of the town. extent of the Kingdom of Mercia or was absence of many Green Man in the Battle of the Bridge. If the it a military structure with the intention years. Green Man doesn’t see her off then there is In more recent years Clun has provided no Summer in the Clun Valley. inspiration for artists and writers. It is believed that Sir Walter Scott wrote ‘The KEY to maps Public House Cafe / Shop Clun has not always been such a peaceful Betrothed’ whilst staying at the Buffalo Inn. Telephone Church spot. This has been one of the most turbulent The playwright, John Osborne, spent many Ride Route with direction number Car Parking Public Toilet and fought over borderlands in Britain. It is years in the parish and his final resting place Jack Mytton Way Visitor Information Buildings Offa’s country where the Saxon ruler built is in Clun churchyard. Bruce Chatwin’s ‘On Bridleway his magnificent Dyke to mark the extent of the Black Hill’ gains much of its atmosphere Footpath INFORMATION the great Kingdom of Mercia. You will cross from the area around Clun. Byway The Sun, Clun: 01588 640305 the earthwork where it is revealed at its best A Road / B Road The White Horse, Clun: 01588 640305 striding across Llanfair Hill and wonder at how this monument was achieved at a time Other road The Waterdine, Llanfair Waterdine: 01547 528214 Lloyney Inn, Lloyney: 01547 528498 when the only equipment available was man and shovel. Route 1 Clun to Llanfair Waterdine: 7 miles / 11.5 km

Start: Clun High Street • OS map 201 • Grid Ref: SO304808

1 From the High Street in Clun (B4368 towards Craven Arms) turn down the road opposite the garage which leads down to the ford 1 through the River Clun. There is a footbridge but if the river is too high for horses there is an alternative via Bridge Street and Church 2 Street (A488) and over the main bridge in Clun.

2 Follow Vicarage Road around to the church. Turn left onto the A488 then, after 75 metres, turn left and 8 At junction of begin the ascent of Church Bank. 3 tracks turn left and pass ruined

3 After about 1km take the bridleway building. Carry on right through gate, by Glebe 4 straight on Cottage, and go straight up steep through gate. pasture field. Follow bridleway through gates to join road. 9 Turn right at junction of

4 Cross straight over road 7 bridleways, and start descending 5 through gate, and along firstly a field 9 8 continue with field edge path, then ! boundary on left diagonally cross two # 6 straight on through fields as the bridleway gates, crossing several drops down to an old fields to meet Offa’s Dyke. metalled road. Turn right and follow out 10 Turn left, then right, onto to the A488 by The $ bridleway which runs down Tyndings. a field edge, through a dingle then across a field in the same

5 Carefully cross general direction to join a stone track straight over road which is Jack Mytton Way. to join bridleway which runs through 11 Turn left onto track, pass farm buildings and follow fields to join a stone track farm track round to the left. which leads down to a ford 12 Join lane ahead and follow through Graig down to join another and footbridge crossing the River road. Turn right into Llanfair Waterdine, past the Everest Hall on Redlake. Follow track to join road. your left, to the Church and ‘The Waterdine’ pub. 6 Turn right and follow road for about 1km then turn left onto another minor road at ‘Curlew Corner’. Finish: Llanfair Waterdine • OS map 201 • Grid Ref: SO242763 0 KILOMETRES 1 2 3 4 7 At T junction go left then shortly right onto bridleway which runs uphill following a sunken lane. Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Shropshire County Council 100019801. 2008