Explore the finest of Shropshire’s 'Wild’ Humphrey Kynaston countryside the Robin Hood of Shropshire Humphrey Kynaston Way Long Distance & Circular Routes Route 1 Humphrey Kynaston, a notorious highwayman known as ‘Wild’ Humphrey, was Cardingmill Valley to Picklescott descended from a Welsh Prince. He was born around 1468, to Lady Elizabeth Grey, the 5.3 miles / 8.5 km granddaughter of Humphrey Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester, and second wife of Sir Roger Kynaston, Constable Keeper of Myddle Castle. Humphrey became Constable on Route 2 his father’s death, but, through his dissolute and riotous manner of life, he fell into Picklescott to Church Pulverbatch 2.6 miles / 4.2 km debt, and Myddle castle fell into ruin. His horse, reputed to have been called Beelzebub, the devil’s horse, was said to have been shod backwards to confuse Route 3 pursuers. Humphrey, following a skirmish in Oswestry, along with his half brother Church Pulverbatch to Pontesbury Thomas, and Oliver and Richard Kynaston, was accused of felony in December 1487, 3.2 miles / 5.1 km and he became a notorious outlaw. These were unsettled times, with the Wars of the Route 4 Roses still ongoing, and the Welsh Marshes a lawless no man’s land. Pontesbury to Ford 6.3 miles / 10.1 km In December 1492 Humphrey, now of Nesscliffe, rode to Stretton Dale, (Church Route 5 Stretton) with his half-brother Thomas Kynaston of Shrawardine, and Robert Hopton Ford to Montford Bridge of Hopton, Nesscliffe. There, they killed John Heughes. Many aided and abetted them, 2.4 miles / 3.9 km and in their escape they were lodged and fed at Pontesbury, Shrewsbury and Nesscliffe. They were tried and convicted for felony and murder in 1493, but escaped Route 6 capture. The under Sheriff tried to capture Humphrey by removing some of the planks Montford Bridge to Nesscliffe from the stone pillars of Montford Bridge, but he spurred his horse, and leaped the 8.8 miles / 14.1 km gap, escaping to Nesscliffe where he, with his horse stabled alongside, is reputed to Route 7 have lived in the cave there reached by climbing 24 steps cut into the rock face. They Nesscliffe to Merrington Green were given food and fodder by those around: it is said ‘by the rich through fear, and 9.7 miles / 15.6 km the poor through gratitude’. Route 8 Merrington Green to Grinshill Later pardoned by Henry VIII, legend has it that he died in the cave at Nesscliffe. His 7.3 miles / 11.8 km will of 1534 requested that he be buried in St Mary’s Church, Welshpool. Routes & Circular Distance Long Lyth Hill Circular 14 miles / 22.5 km For more information on riding in Shropshire, visit www.shropshireriding.co.uk Montford Circular For more information on walking in Shropshire, visit Short route 4 miles / 6.5 km Long Route 5¾ miles / 9.2 km www.shropshirewalking.co.uk Nesscliffe Circular Short route 3¼ miles / 5.2 km Long Route 5¾ miles / 9.2 km Humphrey Kynaston Way – Way Kynaston Humphrey Baschurch Circular 8½ miles (13.7 km) The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas • Consider other people other Consider • Keep dogs under close control close under dogs Keep • litter home litter Protect plants and animals, and take your your take and animals, and plants Protect • Leave gates and property as you find them find you as property and gates Leave • Be safe - Plan ahead and follow any signs any follow and ahead Plan - safe Be • Humphrey Kynaston Way Key to map symbols Humphrey Kynaston Way Route Carpark MYDDLE CLIVE Continuation of HK Way Public House Eyton HARMER Route 1 Grinshill Circular or Alternative Route Church Ruyton-XI-Towns HILL Cardingmill Valley to Picklescott BASCHURCH Baschurch Route 8 A49 Bridleway Local Shops 5.3 miles / 8.5 km Nessclie Circular Circular Merrington Footpath Castle or monument Route 2 Green NESSCLIFFE Route 7 Railway Camping Site Picklescott to Church Pulverbatch Nesscli e Walford Heath 2.6 miles / 4.2 km Little Ness Country Park Bomere Heath A-Road Public Convenience A528 Route 3 Linear route B-Road Café A5 Church Pulverbatch to Pontesbury Felton Butler A53 waymarker Ensdon Other Road Information Centre 3.2 miles / 5.1 km Route 6 MONTFORD Unclassied Road Caution advised Route 4 BRIDGE Shrawardine Track Pontesbury to Ford Bicton Montford 6.3 miles / 10.1 km Circular Preston Montford Route 5 FORD Route 5 A458 Shrewsbury The routes were only made possible by the hard work of Zia Robins and local volunteers of the Nesscliffe Hills and District Bridle- Ford to Montford Bridge ways Association Parish Paths Partnership group, with funding from Natural England’s Paths for Communities project. A5 2.4 miles / 3.9 km Route 4 Circular route The routes vary from 2.4 miles up to 14 miles and you can combine routes and use links to create your own tailor made journey. A5 Route 6 waymarker Please note that the Church Stretton to Pontesbury sections can be linked to Ride Shropshire South Shropshire Hill routes 5, 7, 8 and 9. Montford Bridge to Nesscliffe Hanwood 8.8 miles / 14.1 km A488 Parking places have been identified, some by kind permission. Please check availability before setting out. Hook-a-gate Route 7 Bayston Hill For horse riders allowing approximately 3 miles an hour gives a relaxed ride, with time to take in the views. Hinton Arscott A49 Nesscliffe to Merrington Green Annscroft Lyth Hill Although created primarily as routes for horse riders the routes are equally suitable for cyclists and walkers. Cyclists please be 9.7 miles / 15.6 km Plealey Country Park aware your sudden appearance may startle horses. When approaching from behind please give a verbal warning Pontesford Longden www.shropshireriding.co.uk and remember that when using a public bridleway, cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders. Route 8 PONTESBURY Exfords Green The publishers have made every effort to ensure Merrington Green to Grinshill Lower Common For more information on these routes and other promoted routes in Shropshire with map, guidebook downloads, useful informa- the information in this publication was correct at tion and feedback forms please visit: www.shropshireriding.co.uk 7.3 miles / 11.8 km Route 3 the time of printing. If you have any comments Lyth Hill Note the maps in the guidebook are not definitive but extracts from Ordnance Survey maps can be downloaded from the Lyth Hill Circular Wrentnall regarding this publication please contact Circular website. 14 miles / 22.5 km Shropshire Council. PULVERBATCH Church Pulverbatch Design and artwork by MA Creative Limited Montford Circular www.macreative.co.uk Route 2 Short route 4 miles / 6.5 km Printed using vegetable oil based inks on 50% Long Route 5¾ miles / 9.2 km Picklescott recycled, 50% FSC approved pulp paper. Nesscliffe Circular Shropshire Council, Short route 3¼ miles / 5.2 km Long Route 5¾ miles / 9.2 km Route 1 A49 Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND. Baschurch Circular 0345 678 9000 8½ miles (13.7 km) All Stretton www.shropshire.gov.uk Long Mynd Carding Mill CHURCH Valley STRETTON.