Riverside Ramble The rises in the Hills Continue on across the meadows parallel to at . It flows from the riverbank. A gentle walk for all the family. Ramble through to meet the along the River Onny, through water As you follow the at Bromfield and then on through . river upstream, meadows and return along the quiet lane The river's name derives from Welsh and through Halford village. look out for three means the river on which ash trees grow. unmistakable birds, 2 miles/3.5km 3 Cross the river then head left across the often seen here. You may 1– 1½ hours field to the corner of a wood. Keep the river see a dipper – small, on your left and walk to the kissing gate quick dark birds with a No stiles which leads onto the busy road. Be careful distinctive white bib. They stand bobbing A relatively short, stile-free, level of fast moving traffic. Cross over the road on the rocks before darting under the fast walk. Pasture with cows, sheep or on the bridge. flowing water in search of insects. You can horses – dogs must be on leads for Stop on the bridge and look at the meadows. also see grey wagtails here. Despite the some sections. Muddy in places, They tell the story of the changing course name, it is the yellow of their chests two road crossings and two benches of the river. Meandering depressions in the rather than the steely grey of en route. field sketch out the line of the old riverbank. their heads and backs that *The route directions were correct when printed (2017), however In years past the river has been straightened will catch there may be minor changes over time. your eye. OS Explorer Map 217 to flow faster past the old mill at Halford. They also 4 Beside the bridge is a small gate onto a set eat insects and can be seen Start at the Discovery of steps down to a kissing gate. The next foraging on the pebbly Centre part of the walk follows a permissive path beaches and catching opened in co-operation with the farmer. bugs on the wing. Start the walk by leaving the Discovery Please keep your dog on a lead as there are 1 The kingfisher is the most colourful of Centre towards the Onny Meadows. Go often sheep, cattle or horses grazing on the three birds you can see here but you’ll left before the Community Garden and the riverbanks. need sharp eyes to spot one. They are shy follow the path, through a gate and into the 4 Follow the permissive footpath along the and dart quickly, keeping low to the water. hamlet of Newton. riverbank. There’s a solitary young black You may see a flash of brilliant blue green Long before the railway created Craven poplar tree here – quite a rare native tree or spot one by its orange and white chest, Arms, this medieval hamlet grew up on the species. Further along you reach the old fishing from a branch. banks of the Onny. The variety of timber- corn mill, now a private house. The mill Follow the river as it winds through the frame and stone cottages make for a was closed in 1925. Beyond is the weir, 5 meadow until you reach a kissing gate picturesque scene. below the church on the other side of the river. The weir has a salmon ladder on the leading to an old lane next to a white Follow the narrow lane to a white metal 2 near side to help the fish swim upstream. bridge. You have now reached Newington. bridge across the River Onny. TO Water 0 100 200 300400 500 RIVER Meadow METRES Riverside ONNY Ramble BRIDGE Old School 6 7

Walk Route Other rights of way Newington Field boundaries Woodlands 5 Halford AONB Church A-Roads 8 B-Roads Old Mill Other Roads Railway Caution: busy road or rail crossing Railway Viewpoint Station A49

Contains OS data © Crown copyright and B4368 database right (2017) CRAVEN ARMS CORVEDALE ROAD 4

MARKET STREE B4368 ROAD Newton

T 3 Heart of Wales Line WHITE BRIDGE – Shropshire Hills 2 Look out for kingfishers! Discovery Centre 1 RIVER Onny Meadows ONNY TO LUDLOW Two hundred years ago Newington was a The field you are now crossing was major crossing point on the Onny for the once a traditional water meadow. It was Bishop’s Castle coach road or ‘turnpike’. deliberately flooded in the spring to It passed through Halford to continue encourage early growth of the grass for westwards up Long Lane. Horse-drawn cattle to graze. coaches would have clattered down 7 Continue along the path to go through the lane and crossed the Onny at a ford the gate and turn right to reach the Old Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, before pausing at the New Inn (where School House at the top of the track. the home of Grow Cook Learn Newington now stands). Here they Follow the lane through Halford village. School Road, Craven Arms, SY7 9RS might change their horses before pulling +44 (0)1588 676070 steeply on up Long Lane. Halford Church is very old. Although most of the church has been rebuilt in the last [email protected] 6 Cross the river on the bridge, then www.shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk 200 years, the southern doorway dates go through the wooden gate from Norman times. to your right. Follow the path across the meadow. Take time to look at the war memorial in Grow Cook Learn is a registered charity, the lych gate which is one of Shropshire’s connecting people to the food, history and least-known war memorials. The memorial landscape of the Shropshire Hills AONB, was put up by Hilda Mary Biggs, daughter providing opportunities to local people and visitors to learn and discover. of the local vicar who, in 1908, married a railway stoker living Visit the Centre for the Shropshire Hills exhibition and film, our cafe which serves in Halford (an unusual match in delicious home cooked meals and for walks those days). During the First through 30 acres of riverside meadows. World War William Biggs was There are regular bus and train services to made a Sergeant Major with Craven Arms. the Royal Engineers and served in Salonika. He The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is recognised as one of Britain's finest was awarded the landscapes. It's one of 46 AONBs in the UK. Meritorious Service Walks produced with support from: Medal for distinguished service but sadly died of malaria on October 31st 1918 a few days before the CRAVEN ARMS Armistice. Community Food Initiative miles2 Walk out to the west end of the The town takes its name from the Craven SHROPSHIRE HILLS churchyard for an excellent view over the Arms Hotel an old coaching inn which in river and meadows. Just downstream is turn is named after the Lords Craven who DISCOVERY WALKS Halford Mill again. owned Castle. 8 Leave the Church, turn right and follow Riverside the lane to the main Corvedale road again. At the T junction with the main road Ramble turn right heading back into Craven Arms. Cross the road on the bridge and retrace your steps along the river to Newton. Alternatively you can continue along the road taking the second left on to Market Street. Follow Market Street back to the Discovery Centre. Craven Arms grew up as a when the railways were developed during the mid to late 19th century. Before that there were just the small villages of Newton, where you started this walk, and Newington where you cross the river at the far end of the walk where the New Inn once stood. Coaches used the turnpike Guidelines for walkers roads and drovers used to bring cattle and • Wear suitable clothes and footwear for the walk, especially sheep over the hills from mid paying attention to the local weather forecast. Wales. • Take water and refreshments with you suitable for Many drovers roads run west-east the length of the walk. across the Shropshire Hills. Railways • Most of the Discovery Walks have muddy patches gradually took over the transporting of for much of the year and stout shoes or walking livestock and Craven Arms became a boots are recommended. major hub for sheep being loaded • Please keep dogs under close control, taking onto freight trains. A popular particular care when crossing fields with livestock. local history book is called • Keep to the waymarked paths and leave gates as ‘Of steam and sheep’ and this you find them. also explains the modern • Take your litter home. Respect the wildlife, plants sculpture that stands beside and trees and do not light fires. the A49 by Drovers’ House.