& Follow the road to a T-junction and turn right towards Route 4 © Crown copyright and database rights Route 3: To Malpas and Threapwood Eglwys Cross Short Cut 2014 Ordnance Survey 100049049 Further information 2 NATIONAL CYCL E Total distance: 22½ miles in total (35 km in total) To take the short cut, avoiding , turn ROUTE 45 ( Turn first left, signposted to Whitewell left in signposted to Burleydam 18 Un Tourist information This route includes some cycling along main roads and some 17 Whitchurch Tourist Information Centre: 01948 664577 steep hills and is therefore suitable for more experienced ) When the road splits, bear right past a small green towards Wrexham. 2a Go through Burleydam and at the next Aston Tourist Information Centre: 01743 258888 cyclists. After leaving Whitchurch along the canal towpath, At the T-junction, turn right on to the A525 (take care) T-junction turn right signposted to Wilkesley A525 i Stear on Cana Tourist Information Centre: 01270 628633 Bridge 16 you will encounter a famous set of locks at Grindley Brook. * b Pinsley Turn first left onto Bowker’s Lane, signposted to Fenns Bank 2 After ½ mile turn first left (unsigned) Green The Grange The route then heads into the rolling countryside of ; FREE Marley 19 l Whitchurch + Go straight over at the next crossroads, signposted to Fenns Bank (take care) c  Marbury Cycle Shops refreshments can be found in the picturesque village of Malpas. 2 At the crossroads with the A525 go straight Green Hollin Green Wheelbase: 21 Watergate Street, Whitchurch. over into Rockery Lane, signposted Aston , Turn first left, signposted to Blackhoe The Shop, sales and repairs: 01948 663323 and Wrenbury. Rejoin the main route from 15 Laurels bu At the next T-junction turn left and return to Whitchurch along instruction ) 20 Colour Supplies: 1 Mill Street, Whitchurch. 1 Leave Whitchurch along the Whitchurch Canal Arm, which can be Hollyhurst Cycle Rides shropshire Alkington Road Barnett Bicycle Sales: 01948 665853 accessed along Smallbrook Road (see town map) 3 In turn first left at the Old Jack Inn 21 Brook Combermere Jack Davies Cycles: 58 High Street, . towards Park Audlem 2 Cross the Lift Up Canal Bridge and turn right and follow the towpath 14 Copthorne 12 Shop, sales and repairs: 01939 235485 towards Grindley Brook Route 4: To Ightfield, Audlem & Wrenbury ≠ 13 Calverhall x 2c Total distance: 27 miles in total or 18½ miles with short Calverhall village is located halfway between Black Park 11 Accepts Cycle Shropshire discount card. Grindley Brook ≠ Ü e Swanbach shropshire P cuts (43½ km in total or 30 km with short cuts) Whitchurch and Market Drayton, designed largely 8 The Ellesmere canal, designed by Thomas , passes through Grindley 2a 2b 10 Visit www.travelshropshire.co.uk/discount for more details. This is the longest route, but does offer an option to take a by W. Eden Nesfield in partnership with Norman 9 Brook and then into a famous three chamber staircase lock. WHITCHURCH A525 Coxbank short cut. The tranquillity of Shavington Park and the ever- Shaw in the 1870’s. The Church of 1872 also has a Travel Information Broughall 3 At the Grindley Brook Locks leave the towpath to join the main road popular canalside hostelries at Audlem will reward cyclists who glass by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones 1 Longwood Dodcott Wilkesley Mainline railway stations are at Wem, Shrewsbury and Hall Grange (A41) and turn left towards . Turn first left at the Horse and take on the longer route. of 1875. 7 Whitchurch. Trains carry 2 bikes per train (reservations are Jockey Public House, signposted to Malpas (B5395) B5476 Cheshire essential). Information on all bus, coach and train services in 4 At the next crossroads turn left, signposted Fields Shropshire area call Traveline: 4 To avoid the main road into Malpas, turn first left, signposted to Higher 1 Leave Whitchurch along Station Road. Turn right at the first Shavington and Ash Magna Adderley Wych roundabout towards Wrexham and then left at the next roundabout 0871 200 2233 • www.travelshropshire.co.uk 5 At the next T-junction at Tittenley Farm turn Shavington on to Ash Road. Go through Ash and on to Ightfield Wood Farm Shavington 6 5 At the next T-junction turn right and go up a steep hill left towards Wilkesley Park Discover Shropshire by Bike 2 Continue through Ightfield towards Market Drayton 2 6 Turn first left towards Lower Wych 6 At Shavington turn left at the It’s great to get out and about on a bike in Shropshire. Ight eld Corra Common Malpas T-junction, signposted to Wilkesley Discover hundreds of miles of National Cycle Network routes 7 At the next T-junction turn right, signposted to Malpas and Cuddington 10 Heath 9 Tremlows Tilstock Hall along quiet lanes, explore traffic-free trails along old railways go up a steep hill 7 Turn first right at Manor Farm and Calverhall and waterways, follow the cycle rides from B5069 3 follow the road to the next junction 4 historic towns and get muddy on 8 Turn right at the next T-junction 8 12 mountain bike tracks in woods and Bradley 8 Turn left on to the main road and then 9 At the next T-junction turn left on to the B5395 and into Newton Hall Common forests. Oldcastle first right into Bagley Lane towards Coxbank Malpas village. Turn first left towards Bangor on Dee and 13 Heath % After leaving Audlem turn first right into Coole Lane, signposted Upper 11 Wrexham Threapwood A49 9 Continue over the Canal towards Nantwich Other Publications Lower A41 ≠ Ü • Threapwood 6 B5395 9 Canal towpath to Audlem & Turn first left into Back Coole Lane www.travel Malpas P x Lower Waterfowl shropshire.co.uk Malpas is a picturesque village with the remains of a motte and Castle Wych Sanctury To go into Audlem along the canal towpath, enter the gate Tallarn Hill 7 ( At the next T-junction turn right, signposted to Aston and Wrenbury E-mail: [email protected] bailey castle dating from Norman times. Its mediaeval street Green Higher on the right and turn right under the bridge and follow Wych 4 01743 pattern still remains. The church also contains a 15th century The the towpath into Audlem. Continue along the main route ) Continue into Aston and go straight over at the crossroads towards Gelli 253008 octagonal stone font and choir stalls with carved misericords. by rejoining the main road at the Bridge Inn and continue Wrenbury Station and follow the road into Wrenbury Grindley 3 towards Whitchurch. Pick up main directions from instruction ! 14 Brook Ordnance Turn left into Sunnyside Road towards Oldcastle Drury number % Wrenbury Ü ≠ P • p S (See Route 2) # Lane Survey maps Continue past Newton Hall and turn right at the crossroads 15 WHWHITITCHURCHCHURCH ! Turn left into Wood Orchard Lane * At the T-junction turn left into Nantwich Road, signposted to towards Threapwood Cholmondley Explorer 257 2 1 # At the next T-junction turn left and continue to the A525 $ Horseman’s A525 Whitewell and Nantwich Continue to Threapwood and at the end of Oldcastle Lane Green 16 + Just after the Church turn left into New Road, signposted to Marbury ! A525 $ Turn left, signposted to Whitchurch and continue into Explorer 241 turn left at the T-junction into Chapel Lane Redbrook and Whitchurch Little Arowry Audlem Shrewsbury % At the next T-junction turn left towards Sarn and follow the 17 A593 Little Green B5476 , Turn left under the railway bridge, signposted to Hollyhurst and road into Tallarn Green The Chequer Audlem ≠ Ü P x Whitchurch Four cycle routes around Please note that, while the publishers take every care to be accurate, no liability or responsibility will be Cumber’s 18 Audlem is an ever-popular picturesque village in the heart of accepted in any circumstances whatsoever, should anyone experience any inaccuracies, loss, damage or injury. ≠ Bank Whitchurch following quiet Sarn and Tallarn Green x 20 Cheshire’s Upper Weaver Valley set beside the Shropshire Union bu Turn first left into Ossmere Lane, signposted to Whitchurch This leaflet/map should be used solely on this understanding. © Shropshire Council 2014 Hanmer Bronington A495 Blackoe Artwork by MA Creative • www.macreative.co.uk • Edition#5 Feb 2014 RS Thomas, who died in 2000 and was widely regarded as the A49Canal. With characteristic canalside hostelries, Audlem is always Fenn’s bl Turn next left, signposted to Whitchurch and Shrewsbury. Return to lanes and country roads best religious poet of his time, was the curate at the Church of Bank 2 popular as a stop-off point for walkers and canal cruisers, as well 19 Whitchurch along Talbot Street St Mary Magdalene in Tallarn Green between 1942 and 1945. B5476 NATIONAL CYCL E Alkington as a popular destination for several summertime events and From 9–27 miles (14.5–43.5km) The Queen’s Head public house is at Sarn, ¼ mile away from ROUTE 45 festivals. Part funded by the the Church. Route 3 © Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey 100049049 www.travelshropshire.co.uk Department for Transport Alport © Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey 100049049 T About the cycle routes A R p ∏ P Whixall Moss p 9 At theT-junction turn left, signposted Wem Industrial Route 2 O Route 1 R L E NATIONAL CYCLE Cycling is one of the best ways to soak up the unspoilt C Y H R An important feature of the Meres and Mosses E O ROUTE 2 Estate S A ROUTE 45 T D WHITWHITCHURCCHURCHH E R R O Hospital landscapes and experience the unique features of the A D B5395 Natural Area is the presence of a large range of ! Cycle into the town centre and turn left opposite 7 B A LONDON ROAD different wetland habitats; you will find wildfowl, R G environment and villages of North Shropshire. It is ideal AT ES The White Lion Public House, signposted to Wem Gauntons ST waders and dragonflies abound. The Natural Area is BR T OW cycling terrain; quiet lanes and country roads, easy S N Business Park. Bank N N Redbrook O H LO COUNTRY PARK GT H JO W peppered with small peat and open water wetlands 6 N I I G ST RD H S ROUTE 3 A S T T Norbury HILL S R MILL Y T S RY R E T HER NE E Y EE Wrenbury gradients and yet amazing views. These cycle routes have S W R E TR E S T T A T T that are of international conservation importance. O T M O # B W RS T END AL Leave Wem along New Street; go past the national N PPE S EEN T ROAD PE GR 8 SMALLBROOK C S 9 ASTLE T A B5476 The central area became a National Nature Reserve been chosen to suit a range of interests and abilities, the HIL Supermarket T I O speed limit signs and turn first left, then bear right at Jubilee Park L N TW R O EE A Swimming Pool A R T D T E Aston S R in 1990 and Natural are now restoring the LL G T shortest route being 9 miles and the longest 27 miles. A495 I A E Ryebank E M TE R LL S ST I T R H RE E K E AT Mosses. For more information or to book your place R T A EW N B G E 5 Cycled over a day, with a picnic lunch or a stop at a local W R E X H A M R O A ID W D B536 R 4 B P Chemistry O ROUTE 4 $ Take the fourth left, unmarked and continue Pinsley R R O T on a guided walk of the Mosses visit: S E R

M O 1

A A

R D Green 4 pub, this really is a great way to explore the area. Y L along this road towards Waterloo until you reach a AN E Blackoe A525 www.naturalengland.org.uk The 3 WHITCHURCH Fenn’s T-junction 10 Marley Grange D Bank 2 Marbury A O S 2 Green R E Alkington N D E Whixall Marina % At the T-junction turn right, signposted Abbey Green. O G D P G T F E G O L E N R Y R O I A D Where to start D K The first mile of the former Prees Branch Canal was Continue along this road until you reach another L B 5 A 3 9 All the cycle routes start from Whitchurch. Safe long stay 5 18 dredged and a Marina built in the 1970s. The lower T-junction Cricket 6 parking can be found in the town centre as 7 stretch to Waterloo Bridge was retained as a Nature Ground 4 45 & 445 5 B & Turn left, signposted Bostock Hall. Turn first right. At 2 D Reserve. Prees Branch has many of the values of a shown on the map (right). A HATTON WAY O R Hollyhurst ROUTE 1 the next T-junction turn left and continue to another National Cycle K long pond- good dragonflies, moorhens and swans. C Routes 445 & 45 O T T-junction. Turn right, signposted Whitchurch and 1 S L I T Tilstock 17 5 Leave Whixall Moss along the same road and Wem and then first left at the Whixall Social Centre, Wirswall © Crown copyright Combermere Cycling with care W H NATIONAL CYCLE turn right to rejoin the main road again. Follow Park and database rights I T C H U R C H signposted Stanley Green B Y - P A S S 2014 Ordnance A41 ROUTE 445 B5476 A49 P the road towards Dobson’s Bridge and past R E ♦ Survey 100049049 E S Steel ( Watch out for other vehicles especially tractors In Stanley Green go straight on at the mini roundabout R A O D 3 Heath Whixall Marina on your left. Go over the canal A ♦ Always wear a helmet and high visibility clothing 41 16 and take the second left into Ossage Lane, and turn left at the T-junction. Follow this road until you Whitchurch is one of the busiest and most beautiful market towns Hollinwood reach a T-junction in Hollinwood. Blackpark ♦ Ride in single file when the road is narrow WHIXALL signposted Cycle Route 445 Farm in Shropshire. As one of the oldest towns in Shropshire, it also has MOSS ) For the Waggoners Pub turn left, signposted Platt ♦ Follow the Highway Code and take extra care at road Whixall Moss Welsh 6 Turn right at the next crossroads opposite the a fascinating history. Whitchurch is a bustling place; perfect for a End Lane. It is at the next crossroads about ½ mile away. WHIWHITTCHUCHURCHRCH junctions Cotonwood sign for Cycle Route 445 great day’s shopping offering a variety of traditional and specialist Stanley To continue on the route turn right at the T-junction, A525 4 Green 15 signposted to Whitchurch. Continue into Tilstock Cycling on the shops as well as larger chain stores. There are fantastic places to Short Cut Whixall 6 To short cut avoiding Wem, turn left at the * At the T-junction, turn left, signposted Whitchurch The towpath along the Shropshire Union Canal is open to all eat, drink, explore or just relax and watch the world go by. Find Dobson’s Coton crossroads. At the next T-junction follow the and turn first left into Hollins Lane, signposted to Wrenbury Ü ≠ P • p S cyclists. Please cycle with great care and courtesy to others, out more about Whitchurch’s heritage and what else there is to Bridge x route from instruction & Alkington In 1643, during the English Civil War, Wrenbury Hall served as observing the Waterways Code for cyclists. see and do at the Heritage and Tourist Information Centre or visit 14 NATIONAL CYCL E Whixall Marina ROUTE 45 accommodation for the Parliamentarian forces as they prepared for www.whitchurch-shropshire-tc.gov.uk 7 Continue along this road to a T-junction. Turn + At the next T-junction, turn right, signposted the fateful Battle of Nantwich. In the village itself is the church of St For more information about cycling on canals visit B5476 left and continue to another T-junction Whitchurch and return to Whitchurch along Margarets, which dates from c1500, although a church has existed on the www.canalrivertrust.org.uk.com Alkington Road Route 1: To Whixall and Wem 13 8 At Lowe, turn right (signposted to Wem) and site since the 12th century. Wrenbury also boasts a delightful canal wharf Whilst The Canal and Rivers Trust welcomes cyclists, the Waterloo Quina follow the road up a steep hill and back down at Wrenbury Mill on the outskirts of the village. 22½ miles in total or 9 miles or 15½ miles with short Abbey Green Brook route is not a cycleway and the surface may not be suitable towards Wem Route 2: To Wrenbury and Marbury cuts (36 km in total or 15 km or 25 km with short cuts) 6 6 At the next T-junction turn left into Nantwich Road, signposted to for cycling after very wet weather. This route has 2 options to short cut. It is easy cycling, mainly Poolhead 13½ miles in total (22 km in total) Cholmondely and Tarporley 12 Wem Ü ≠ • p S ? This easy cycling route heads out of Whitchurch into Cheshire The Waterways Code on the flat. The route navigates through a maze of quiet P x 7 Immediately after crossing the canal, turn left past the canal shop and Paddolgreen Edstaston Wem originated as a Saxon settlement but also and takes in the pretty villages of Wrenbury and Marbury, country lanes taking in the unusual and magnificent North basin, signposted Cheshire Cycleway 70 ♦ Give way to other people at all times ♦ Don’t risk a skid has evidence of settlers dating back to the Iron where welcoming hostelries can be found. The wharf at Shropshire mosses. ♦ Warn others of your approach ♦ Never race Age. During the War of the Roses, it was “torn to Wrenbury Mill is sure to be of particular interest to canal lovers. 8 Continue to Norbury and turn left into Gauntons Bank, signposted ♦ Watch out for hazards ♦ Only cycle in daylight Ryebank the ground” by the Earl of Salisbury and rebuilt 1 Leave Whitchurch along Alkington Road and turn first right at to Marbury ♦ Get off and walk if the path becomes difficult in 1500 only to see further destruction in 1677 Alkington Court (unsigned) 1 Leave Whitchurch along Talbot Street and continue along Black Park 9 At the next T-junction turn left into School Lane, signposted to Marbury ♦ Ride in single file- and don’t bunch after a 14-year-old girl, Jane Churn, dropped a Road. At the T-junction turn right into Ossmere Lane, signposted Byway (Cheshire Cycleway 70). Continue over the canal and into Marbury ♦ 2 At the next T-junction turn left, signposted to Whixall Lowe 8 candle and started a huge fire that destroyed Please remember you are responsible for your own and others’ safety! Creamore 45 - Chester 3 Bank most of the wooden buildings in the town. Marbury ≠ • Turn right at the crossroads by The Waggoners Public House, More recently, in 1887, a local called Henry x Horton 7 11 2 At the next T-junction turn right into Hollyhurst Road, signposted to Marbury is a picturesque village in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, Ü Teas ≠ Pub/Inn Shops signposted to Wem Eckford FRHS became the first to cross breed P Wrenbury with mere lakes to the south and east sides of the village. The Big Mere S • the modern Sweet Pea flower. His contribution p Car Park Railway Station Post Office lies south-west of the village and provides a wealth of habitats for Short Cut WEM to horticulture is still celebrated every year in 3 Go under the railway bridge and turn right at the T-junction into — Gardens ◊ Village Green ∏ Nature Reserve waterbirds, reeds and vegetation. Marbury is a regular winner of the Best 3 To take the shorter route go straight over at the crossroads to B5063 Wem with the annual Sweet Pea Show. For more Wrenbury Road, signposted to Pinsley Green and Wrenbury. ¢ Picnic Area ? Play Area N Country Park Tilstock and follow the main route from instruction * Kept Village Competition. information about what you can find in Wem 4 Church 3 Monument 9 Castle 9 10 Turn first right into Pinsley Green Road, signposted to Aston x 4 To go into Whixall Moss, turn first right after the school, go over the nowadays visit www.wem.gov.uk ! At the next T-junction turn left into Wirswall Road, signposted to ~ e Caravan & Campsite 5 Viewpoint ! Take Care on busy road lift bridge and Whixall Moss car park is on the left At the next T-junction turn left, signposted Cheshire Cycleway 70 and Whitchurch. Follow the road back to Whitchurch and go straight on at © Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey 100049049 cycle into Wrenbury the crossroads along Claypit Street to return to Whitchurch town centre