WAY NORTH SECTION About Stage 12: to Whitchurch 10.5/14 miles & Ellesmere wildflowers plus a variety of birds, frogs and newts (yes, great crested ones).

The proceeds to Grindley Brook, a major junction of footpaths and an impressive lock ‘staircase’ but you may wish to allow time to first explore the historic market town of Whitchurch.

Wem to Ellesmere 14 miles On this stretch you will be walking along the border of Fenn’s, and Bettisfield Moss Old barn at Edstaston National Nature Reserve. Thanks to the action of the Nature Conservancy Council in 1990 this A few miles north of Wem you will have the area was restored to a wetland habitat. Over choice of continuing westwards to Ellesmere the centuries peat had been extracted and or north-eastwards on a linear route to drains inserted, destroying the raised mosses Whitchurch. and resulting in tree growth. After restoration this area now supports a variety of rare plants, to Whitchurch 10.5 miles butterflies, moths, dragonflies, water voles and The original Shropshire Way took a more direct even snakes. northerly path to meet the at Grindley Brook. The revised route takes in The now takes you Shropshire’s wetland areas; Sites of Special to the Meres. The first of these is Cole Mere, Scientific Interest (SSSI) before reaching popular for sailing tuition, then the smaller Heath. This is the only site in the Midlands Blake Mere followed by The Mere at Ellesmere. where you can see the silver studded blue The Boathouse Café and Restaurant is ideally butterfly from mid-June to late July. Further on placed for a stop to take in the view shared by and nearer to Whitchurch, Brown Moss SSSI many migrating birds before walking round the is designated as a Local Nature Reserve. This motte of the remains of Ellesmere’s castle and is one of Shropshire’s most important places exploring the little market town. for plants, with over 200 species of native

Allman’s Bridge, Whixall Canal path at Blake Mere

shropshireway.org.uk B5395

Grindley Brook Grindley Brook A41 A49 Locks Blake B5476 Mere B5395 B5476 Shropshire Way Footpaths Bridleways WHITCHURCH Green elds Danson’s Bridge Nature Reserve WHITCHURCH Lift Bridge Open Access land Shop ELLESMERE A525 Chemistry Broughall Visitor Information Centre Place of Worship Waymills A525 A525 Café Caravan/Camping Site WEM A41 Public House Museum Pan Castle Toilets Car Parking Nesscliffe Motte & Bailey A495 Edgeley Y Building of Historical Interest Railway Station WA Llanymynech Haughmond B5476 Castle English Heritage Hill DISMANTLED RAIL Brown Ash Magna Wellington Moss Gardens National Trust

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MUCH WENLOCK Prees Bettis eld Bridges Tilstock Heath Park Wilderhope

Y W WA ALES / BORDE BISHOP'S CASTLE A528 RAIL Breaden Heath ANTLED Steel Heath WheathillDISM Fenn’s Moss A495Clun Hollinwood Higher R Marl Y Whixall Heath WA Moss Allotment SHROPSHIRE UNION CANA Welsh End DISMANTLED RAIL ALES / ENGLAND BORDER A49 Bettis eld W A41 Bettis eld Morris’ Bridge ELLESMERE L Moss Roving Bridge Old Corn Mill Allman’s Bridge The Mere Cadney Bank Converted B5476 Visitor Centre Welshampton Windmill A495 A495 Balmer Heath Whixall Newton Wem Newton Dobson’s Bridge Marina Mere Moss Blake Marina Mere Yell Bridge Prees Moat Prees Branch Canal Spunhill Nature Reserve Abbey Green Colemere Lyneal Northwood White Country Park Mere B5063 Wood Lane Nature Reserve Colemere CO URSE OF CANA Edstaston A528 Wharf L Edstaston

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Moat Stage 12: Wem to B5476 WEM A49 Whitchurch & Ellesmere B5065 B5063 River Roden

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