Route 16 to

A path through the wooded slopes of The Wrekin

Ironbridge Gorge World Benchwalks Discover Walking north from Ironbridge & Heritage Site Having followed the woodland paths you rise steadily was designated as a upward from Coalbrookdale you emerge World Heritage Site in 1986 in recognition into open countryside and approach uphill through woodland and of the area’s unique contribution to the the village of Little Wenlock. This is the open fields towards the iconic birth of the . The town second highest village in Shropshire at 720 landmark of The Wrekin. was named after the first Bridge built feet above sea level and the Benchwalks by Abraham Darby III in 1779. provide opportunities for all to sit and savour the wonderful surroundings of The Wrekin Today the area between in the the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding The Shropshire Way takes you up and over the west to Jackfield in the east is a mecca Natural Beauty (AONB). very top of one of the Midlands’ most famous for tourists who flock to visit the famous natural landmarks at a height of 1,335 feet. bridge itself, Blists To Wellington If you prefer, there are established low-level Hill Victorian Town, and midway paths which offer less strenuous and the many Wrekin Field The alternative routes around The Wrekin. other museums and SPOUT LANE 3 4 Wells attractions within the For those taking the main path the climb site. Nevertheless, there 2 SHROPSHIRE is steep in places but affords access to are many quiet walks WAY Little wonderful panoramic views from the top. 1 Worth to be enjoyed in the Just below the summit can be found the C OA surrounding area notably 5 LB famous rock formations of the Needle’s Eye R O O K and Raven’s Bowl (aka the Cuckoo’s Cup) – a circular route around E D N A L A E L but tread carefully and try not to disturb the the top of Lincoln Hill R S O A 8 A W D sleeping giants when you visit them. providing spectacular D L I

U views from the old The Bog B 6 The Wrekin has almost certainly been Rotunda site. The famous 7 occupied for over 3,000 years. After passing Rope Walk lies to the Swan Farm Pool through the inner and outer entrances of north of Coalbrookdale To Coalbrookdale the hill fort known as Heaven’s Gate forming part of the and Hell’s Gate, the path descends through Shropshire Way. woodland passing the Wrekin Cottage (or Wellington Halfway House as it is generally called these Acknowledgements: Thanks to the Wellington Walkers are Welcome group for their days) on the way to the northern entrance at assistance in designing this leaflet and to them and the & East Shropshire Ramblers for the practical work carried out way marking and maintaining the route. Forest Glen. www.wellingtonwalkersarewelcome.org.uk www.ramblers.org.uk/telford-east-shropshire

Artwork by MA Creative • www.macreative.co.uk • March 2015 The Wrekin from near Little Wenlcok Wrockwardine

Wellington Orleton Hall

Leaton Sunnycroft Discover Shropshire Quarry B5061 Route 16 A5223 A5 Arleston M54 400m Cluddley 300m Ercall DISMANTLED ROUTE PROFILE Wood RAILWAY 200m Buckatree Aston Hotel Overdale 100m Wrekin Short Golf Club Limekiln Wood Kilometres 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Bell Brook Wood 0 Miles 284 10

Black Shropshire Way Footpaths Bridleways DIFFICULTY: Some steep ascent and Hayes Lawley Bank descent over uneven paths. Lawley A5223 Place of Worship Visitor Information Centre THE WREKIN Caravan/Camping Site Café Toposcope Public House Museum Wenlocks Distance 13.6 km/8.5 miles Wood Golf Centre Toilets Car Parking For a more detailed map directions Huntington Telford Building of Historical Interest English Heritage Steam Railway and information visit: Spout Lane Lyde Brook Horsehay Castle National Trust Plantation www.shropshirewalking.co.uk Gibbons Pool Gardens Forestry Commission Coppice Walking routes Youth Hostel Upper Little Wenlock Longwood Chermes Dingle Horsehay Doseley Forest Glen Car Park A5223 Little Wrekin Garmston Waterfall Cottage Devil’s Leasows Farm Hurst Dingle DISMANTLED Coppice RAILWAY The Wrekin The A4169 Sapling Wilderness Lightmoor Wood Holbrook Loamhole Hell Gate Leighton Coppice Brook Vane Timber Coppice Wood Mast Heaven Gate Buildwas Birches Coalbrookdale Coppice Trig Point Toposcope 0 KILOMETRES 1 2 B4380 Needle’s Eye Raven’s Bowl 1 0 MILES /2 1

A4169 Little Hill The Rotunda Ironbridge For a more detailed map directions and information visit: Lloyds Coppice www.shropshirewalking.co.uk Tick Wood BENTHALL EDGE Iron Bridge WOOD

Spratts You are not permitted to copy, sub-licence, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form. © Crown copyrightCoppice and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100049049

Farley Benthall Hall Coppice Benthall Wyke