Follow the minor road from Stottesdon to Billingsley, passing the entrance to Chorley Hall on your right.

5. Chorley The original settlement was by the hall. However, the development of coal mining meant that by 1850, most houses were in Lower Chorley about a mile to the east. Continue to the B4363 and turn right. After about A tour around , ½ mile, turn left down the track to Billingsley Church. This can also be approached by taking a Stottesdon & Kinlet loop through Chorley and past Rays Farm Country Matters. We often think of villages and hamlets as 6. Billingsley Tourist Information places that have changed little over the The church marks the site of medieval Billingsley. The opening of a mine and blast For further information see the centuries. In fact they can grow, shrink, furnace c1800 caused the village to move a Tourism website: www.bridgnorthshropshire.com move or sometimes vanish altogether. mile to the south, by the Cape of Good and the “Bridgnorth, and Severn Valley Visitor Guide”. Bridgnorth Visitor Information However, there are often remains that Hope (built for miners). Centre provides information and help all year: Designed by www. can still be seen in the landscape. This trail Retrace your route along the main road and 01746 763257. There is also tourist information at continue for about another ½ mile to the Cape of Highley Station and Highley Library (Severn Centre) will show you examples of communities Good Hope pub. Turn left down the very narrow where information on further local walks and rides

MACreative that have come and gone over the last road signposted to New , pausing if desired is available. The Stotty Strollers website: www. just beyond the Cape where it is possible to see the stottystrollers.org.uk 2000 years. It may be followed either by buildings of Billingsley Colliery, behind the houses on also contains useful information. .co.uk • bike or in a car. Although the description the left of the road. Continue down the road and Refreshments are available at pubs en-route, at Rays cross the ford. Farm or in Highley. Printed on recycled paper from sustainable sources • Nov 06 starts at Highley Station, it can be followed in any order. 7. New England Just beyond the ford a row of cottages Other Attractions was built in 1807 for miners. These were Rays Farm Country Matters demolished in 1917. One of these has recently is a tourist farm open 1st March-end of October. been excavated and its remains can be seen. www.raysfarm.com Continue up the bank and turn right at the main road. Proceed through Highley village and back to In Summer 2007 the Engine House, a museum of the station. The original village was clustered by the steam locomotive, will open at Highley Station. the church. 3. Catsley Turn right towards Cleobury and at the junction with The route Today Catsley consists of a large farm and the B4363, turn left, again towards Cleobury. Shortly a handful of cottages. At the time of the afterwards turn right and follow the road for about 2 1. Stanley Domesday Book, it was a distinct community miles. Take the 2nd turning on the right to Stottesdon. Highley Station is part of the hamlet of Stanley, and at its peak in the middle ages was home to When in Stottesdon, park by the church. The Fighting in Highley. This has grown and shrunk many times around 10 families. Poor harvests in the early Cocks pub and shop also has a car park. in its history. There was a small community from 1300s followed by the Black Death in 1348/9 4. Stottesdon medieval times to the 18th Century who worked destroyed it and many similar hamlets. A few In Saxon times, Stottesdon was the chief in the local quarries or on boats that sailed along earthworks can still be seen in nearby fields. settlement in the area and the seat of local the river. In 1804 a coal mine opened and around Crop marks in fields close to Catsley show that government. In the 1200s, its Lord gained 20 houses for miners were built alongside the people were living here long before Domesday; permission to hold a market and fair and river. The Ship Inn, below the station, belonged there was a Roman Farm and possibly even a wanted to establish it as a town. However, by to the mine owners. The mine lasted no more Bronze Age burial mound. then Bridgnorth and than 20 years and by 1850 most of the houses had both had castles and Stottesdon shrank. been demolished. However, in 1878 work started on another mine (now the Severn Valley B4363 To Bridgnorth 0 1 2km Country Park) and new houses were built To Bridgnorth Sidbury Billingsley Church 0 1 mile alongside the river; these still survive. B4555 From Highley Station, go up Station Road and turn left at Hawkswood the main road. Follow this to the junction of the B4363 Stanley Billingsley Bridgnorth-Cleobury road and turn left to Cleobury. After Highley about a mile, you will come to what is now Kinlet village Severn Valley Old Vicarage Country Park and a junction on your left with the B4194 to Bewdley. Activity Centre & Riding Centre Ignore this and turn right down the drive towards Kinlet HIGHLEY STATION Chorley Rays Farm Severn Valley Railway Hall. Follow this carefully to Kinlet Church. Country Matters & Heritage Centre 5 2. Kinlet B455 Stottesdon B o rle The church marks the site of the medieval Br

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village of Kinlet. However, all that is left of the e

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Prescott S village are a few sunken tracks. The reason for Kinlet Hall e v

e Kinlet Church r this is Kinlet Hall, built in 1729. The old village n was demolished and turned into a landscaped

park. The inhabitants were banished to beyond Oreton the main road, where the Eagle & Serpent Kinlet pub stands. Detton Hall Catsley Return down the drive and now go straight over to follow 3 B436 To Cleobury Mortimer B4194

a

e the B4194 towards Bewdley. Go as far as the junction R Catherton r

e v i To Bewdley with the B4199 at Catsley. R