SHROPSHIRE WAY SOUTH SECTION About Route 1: Shrewsbury to Bridges 15 miles Kingsland Bridge Wilderley Hill. Whilst Cothercote Stone Wilderley might mean “the clearing belonging to Wilfred”, the name is also descriptive of this wild expanse. Dangerous enough in wintery conditions for two ladies in the past to have lost their way and perish in the snow. Leaving Shrewsbury over the River Severn via the Kingsland Bridge the route is now Nearing the top of the hill look out for the Cothercot off road as far as the outskirts of the town. Stone dated 1791. From Meole Brace village you pass through wooded sections of the Reabrook valley The Portway before climbing through Bayston Hill to Lyth The route now takes you along the ancient Portway Hill, where you will get your first prospect of for about a mile, reputedly Roman but probably the Shropshire Hills. earlier. After following this for about a mile south eastwards, we leave the Portway and head Lyth Hill Country Park southwestwards towards the Darnford Brook. This area is known deservedly as the Golden Valley. Here There is a gem to come on the walk from you have a good chance of spotting dippers near Shrewsbury, the broad expanse of the Lyth the stream. Hill Country Park. On the map it does not look impressive but its position offers perhaps the best Bridges panoramic views in the whole of Shropshire. From the east the view takes in the volcanic mass of the With its Youth Hostel and the old Horseshoes Wrekin, the old power station at Ironbridge, then Inn this is a popular place to stay or to seek Wenlock Edge. Next in view are the Lawley, Caer refreshment. Caradoc and the Long Mynd. Last but not least are the jagged quartzite tors of the Stiperstones. Golden Valley The long straight lane that runs along the crest of Lyth Hill is called the rope walk. Here 300 years ago flax and hemp were twisted together into ropes and used for shipping and mining. Mary Webb its most famous resident was inspired by this landscape. She lived for a while, close by in Spring Cottage. Wilderley Hill After passing a deer farm at the foot of Lyth Hill and treading some of Shropshire’s many old green lanes, you will begin to climb steadily towards www.shropshireway.org.uk Route 1: Shrewsbury to Bridges A488 SHREWSBURY A5 DISMANTLED RAILWAY 0 KILOMETRES 1 2 A49 Hook-a-gate 1 0 MILES /2 1 Bayston Hill Ascott A488 Annscroft Great Lyth Old Coppice Plealy Longden Lyth Hill Pontesbury Pontesford Country Park Exfords A488 Green Polesgate Pontesford Hill Earls Minsterley Hill Oaks Longden Stapleton Common Wrentnall Habberley WHITCHURCH A49 Church Pulverbatch ELLESMERE Lawn Hill Perkins Beach Snailbeach Pulverbatch Wilderley Hall SHREWSBURY Mines Wellington TELFORD Ironbridge MUCH WENLOCK Bridges Wilderhope Stiperstones BISHOP'S CASTLE CRAVEN ARMS Cold Green Clun Perkins Beach Wilderley Hill Picklescott Smethcott LUDLOW Thresholds e P or Stiperstones tw ay Shropshire Way Footpaths Bridleways National Nature Reserve Betchcott Leebotwood Circular walk Stitt Open Access land Golden Valley Visitor Information Centre Place of Worship Café Caravan/Camping Site Public House Museum Toilets Car Parking Building of Historical Interest A49 Railway Station Ratlinghope Castle English Heritage Comley Gardens National Trust Bridges Belmore Visitor Attractions Forestry Commission Duckley Nap Jinlye Hill summit Youth Hostel Artwork by MACreative.co.uk Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Shropshire Council 100019801. 2017.