Llanymynech has been important as At the main road, The Hoffman Hike a settlement since the establishment 3 turn right and of a defensive hillfort in the 10th- right again into 9th centuries BC. In addition to Gyn Lane to look The Hoffman Hike derives its name its significance as a defensive site, at the restored from the Hoffman Kiln, one of only three Llanymynech has over thousands of Gin Wheel, remaining 20th century lime burning years developed as a mining settlement. Retrace your steps kilns in Britain. The kiln, chimney and The industrial remains that can be seen and cross the the distinctive Llanymynech Hill provide today are from the 19th and 20th main road. Go up century limeworks process. This unique Underhill Lane the backdrop to some wonderful industrial production line still survives in landscape views, industrial heritage carrying on after the landscape and is now recognised as the lane becomes a and wildlife habitats. a site of national historical significance. rough track. Walk 1: A 4.8 k m (3 mile) walk following the O ffa’s D yke Path and the Montgomery Canal, Walk 1 Walk past the car park and through the tak ing in the remains of the area’s once thriving 4 gate and follow the path as it curves to the 1 limestone industry Allow 1 /2 to 2 hours left and heads uphill. • From the car park go through the gate START from: The car park nex t to Llanymynech onto the canal towpath and turn right. Post O ffice • GRID REF 266210 • This walk includes 1 Just before the track bends note the three paths with fairly steep sec tions in places. bottle shaped kilns on the left. Stay on the Walking from Llanymynech to Pant along 5 track as it bends to the right – you will see Walk 2: A shorter alternative is a 1.6 k m (1 mile) the towpath of the Montgomery Canal and the cliff face ahead. circular walk around Llanymynech Heritage crossing the now dismantled Cambrian 3 Railway line, you find yourself on once- Area, tak ing in the Hoffman Kiln • Allow /4 hour Limestone has been used as an agricultural START from: The car park nex t to Llanymynech thriving commercial routes that carried the fertilizer since medieval times. This small-scale Post O ffice • GRID REF 266210 • This walk is nearly limestone rock to the blast furnaces of quarrying activity escalated into a booming all on maintained paths and is fairly level. industry. Engulfed by vegetation by the end industry in the 19th century, with demand for of the 20th century, the water on this section lime from the iron foundries of Ironbridge and MAPS: OS Explorer 240 of the canal was lost. Plans for its restoration Staffordshire. Blasted with gunpowder, the are underway. PARKING is also available at Llanymynech rocks came crashing down. One explosion in 1868 was heard at Welshpool, 10 miles away. Heritage Area (P2) and Llanymynech Rocks(P3) . Follow the towpath until you go under a The quarries finally closed in the 1930s. 2 bridge, leave the towpath here, turn right Now nature has reclaimed the ground, with For public transport enquir ies contact and immediately right again onto the lane. Traveline 0870 608 2 608 woodland, sunny glades and a flourishing Follow the lane up the hill, passing on your Website: www.traveline.org.uk array of wildflowers and butterflies. right five lime kilns. Look up at the cliffs Llanymynech Hill and you come face Golf Course to face with rocks School 4 that were formed PANT when Britain lay near 3 3 Gyn Wheel the Equator, some 5 Limekiln 340 million years Underhill A483 ago. A shallow sea Farm 2 covered much of the Asterley Rocks Llanymynech Rocks land then. Nature Reserve 6 Offa’s Dyke Millions upon Path Na tional A Trail 7 millions of corals and the fossilized Fron-goch 8 Sewage Works remains of small, shelled creatures ALTERNATIVE LEVEL ROUTE piled up and were B 9 Brookside compressed to make the limestone you see today. Kennels A483 White White Rock 12 Cottage Pen y Foel Llanymynech Brourton Rock Hall Heritage Area Grange Hoffman Lime Kiln 11 Walk 1 C 10 long route D Depot Walk 2 WAY short route 2 Playing Fields DISMANTLED RAIL Alternative, START LLANYMYNECH level route 1 Village Hall B4398 Car Park l ai Post Office Hotel/Restarant Tr Public House al on ati N B4398 Café/Restaurant ath e P Dyk a’s Off © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Shropshire County Council 100019801 (2005)

A483

River Vyrnwy Further Information Walking along the foot of the cliff you will Cross the road, taking care as the road can 6 approach a ruined building on the left; this 9 be busy, and go through the metal gates. is the old winding house which would have Follow the path bearing right at the junction. Remember the housed a drum similar to the one seen in Gyn Lane. The winding house controlled the Just before the former stable block Countryside Code: take the path on the left; this will n Be safe – plan ahead vertical descent of wagons full of limestone 10 rock, down a steep tramline known as an take you past the two lime kilns to and follow any signs the Hoffman Kiln and Chimney. even when going out locally inclined plane. Turn left and follow the path down hill on a fairly steep slope which was n Leave gates and property as you find them; B ALTERNATIVE ROUTE n Protect plants and animals and take your once a tramline. Walk along the path until you join the litter home; Offa’s Dyke National Trail at the signpost and n Keep dogs under close control; A little way down you have a choice. The carry on straight ahead. The path goes through n Consider other people. inclined plane is a fairly steep way down 7 two kissing gates and leads you onto a lane by the hill (A) or, if you prefer a more level a cottage to your left (B). www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk route, you can take the path to the right (B). Walking is good for you! A ALTERNATIVE ROUTE At the T junction turn left down the hill. Follow the inclined plane straight down Keep following this lane until you join the Walking five times a week for 30 main road (C). minutes helps you keep healthy. 8 the hill keeping to the right of the houses. Taking care, cross the In autumn the trees and hedgerows of road and turn right. A Other walks in Shropshire Llanymynech seem to be swathed in Information on other walks in Shropshire can little way along turn left hoar frost, this is because old man’s be found by visiting: into the Heritage Area. beard runs riot here; the feathery, spherical seed heads of this wild Go through the car park www.shropshire.gov.uk clematis tumbling through the branches, and through the gate on creeping along the ground. the right.

It was first reported here around Turn left (D) towards 1843. Very probably it arrived via the former stable block the canal. Romantically beautiful it (10) and then take the DISCLAIMER The publishers have made every effort to ensure the certainly is, but the plant also causes path to the right past information in this publication was correct at the time of printing. If you have any comments regarding this publication please contact Northern Shropshire conservationists a lot of trouble as the two lime kilns, on to Countryside Service, Swan Hill, Ellesmere, SY12 0DQ • Tel: 01691 624448 they struggle to keep glades clear for the Hoffman Kiln and Designed by MA Creative (01743) 231261 • Illustrations by Steve Vicary orchids. Printed on environmentally friendly paper from sustainable sources. Chimney. Turn left towards the former stable Portland cement spelled the end for the A walk taking in Llanymynech’s block (10) and then take the path to the right lime industry. A brave, final bid for survival industrial heritage was the construction of the Hoffman Kiln past the two lime kilns, on to the Hoffman in the Heritage Area. This was really a Kiln and Chimney. series of individual kilns arranged around a tunnel, enabling the non-stop production of After the kilns go through a kissing gate and Hoffman quick lime. But it was too late; lime mortar then across a field. Pass through another was no longer required in large quantities, kissing gate (12) and take the steps down to the though it is still sought after today for left. Turn right at the bottom and take the left conservation building work. path through the woods. Hike Whatever your interests – beautiful To complete the circular walk turn left where countryside, wildlife, exercise, something to After the kilns go through a kissing gate the path joins the main track to the Hoffman do with the kids – these walks are for you! and then across a field, take the steps 11 Kiln. down to the canal and cross over the bridge. Go past the former stable block (10) on your right, turn right and retrace your steps back to Turn right along the canal, under the the car park. 12 road bridge and back through the gate on the left to the car park. Walk 2

From the car park go through the gate onto the canal towpath and turn right.

Go under the low bridge and immediately turn right up the steps leaving the towpath. Turn right again onto the main road cross over the bridge, turning right into the Heritage Area. Go through the car park and through the gate on the right.

Enjoy our walks and improve your health!