SHROPSHIRE WAY SOUTH SECTION About Stage 8: Wilderhope to Ironbridge 12.5 Miles

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SHROPSHIRE WAY SOUTH SECTION About Stage 8: Wilderhope to Ironbridge 12.5 miles

On reaching a stream turn right and continue beside small lakes to reach Easthope village. From here you can ascend to Wenlock Edge and the Shropshire Way once more.

Much Wenlock It is worth allowing time to enjoy this pretty market town with fine timbered buildings, an ancient Guildhall and a Priory, to mention just a few of its attractions. There is a small museum with information on William Penny Brookes Early purple orchids who founded the Wenlock Olympian Society, the forerunner of the modern Olympic Games. Wenlock Edge Leave Much Wenlock walking alongside the The route from Wilderhope goes for about six Priory. miles along Wenlock Edge made famous by A.E Housman and Vaughan Williams. For the first Ironbridge half there is a variant, see below and use an OS The power station that you pass on the steep map. The second half is more interesting with descent into Ironbridge is now redundant and wild flowers including orchids in spring time. becoming a vestige of the industrial past of the Gorge. It may or may not still have four massive Alternative route: cooling towers that have been such a feature of Head North-eastwards from Wilderhope to the landscape in recent years. Pilgrim Cottage. Turn right and continue to SO556936 and take the forest track across After a riverside walk past old lime kilns you will Mogg Forest. (The path by Lutwyche Hall is not enter the town across the famous Ironbridge recommended). There is a hidden hillfort with to reach many tourist attractions including well-defined ramparts for those with time to cafes, shops and museums. There is still a explore. Otherwise follow the footpath signs and Merrythought Teddy Bear shop. look for a stile at SO563946 to exit the wood and cross a field.

The Guildhall & High Street, Much Wenlock Ironbridge viewed from it’s world famous bridge

shropshireway.org.uk A4169 B4380 Coalbrookdale B4373 Stage 8: Wilderhope Manor to Ironbridge Buildwas Woodside Buildwas Abbey Madeley

DISMANTLED IRONBRIDGE RAILWAY 0 KILOMETRES 1 2

1 0 MILES /2 1 Lloyds Coppice Tick Wood BENTHALL EDGE Iron Bridge WOOD Spratts Coppice Benthall Hall Farley Coppice A458 Broseley Benthall Wyke

Farley B4373

Harley Homer B4375

A4169 WHITCHURCH A4169 JACK MYTTON WAY ELLESMERE Kenley MUCH WENLOCK Wenlock Priory

BLAKEWAY COPPICE B4376 SHREWSBURY Wellington A458 TELFORD JACK MYTTON WAY Ironbridge Major’s Leap Lea Quarry MUCH WENLOCK Stretton Bridges Westwood Wilderhope Hughley B4378 Limekilns BISHOP'S CASTLE

Callaughton CRAVEN ARMS Wheathill Presthope Clun Lilleshall LUDLOW Ippikin’s Rock Quarry

Hilltop Bourton

B4371 Shropshire Way Footpaths Bridleways O C K E D G E Lushcott Easthope Open Access land Shop

Lutwyche Hall Visitor Information Centre Place of Worship Café Caravan/Camping Site MOGG FOREST Public House Museum Longville in Pilgrim WENL Hillfort the Dale Cottage Toilets Car Parking Brockton East Wall Building of Historical Interest Railway Station B4371 Castle English Heritage Y WA B4378 Gardens National Trust Wilderhope Manor Visitor Attractions Forestry Commission B4368 DISMANTLED RAIL Hill summit Youth Hostel

B4368

Stanton Long

Holdgate