Route 17 The Wrekin to An old quarry face on The Ercall reveals a geological “unconformity”

Limekiln Woods west of Wellington. A short diversion to Discover the east in Wellington would take you Leaving The Wrekin behind, you To the east of the Ercall lies Limekiln to Sunnycroft, a National Trust pre-First will very shortly arrive at Ercall Woods which can be reached by circular World War ‘country house’ complete with Quarry a world-famous geological routes of various lengths. These woods its iconic Staircase Hall and set in five have their own unique character and acres of gardens. site and SSSI. After ascending the reveal evidence of the industrial heritage hill between the cluster of disused of the area. It is believed that Wellington is named after an Anglo-Saxon named Weola or Weoh quarries you pass through the Wellington who arrived at some point during the sixth Ercall Wood Nature Reserve on Leaving the Ercall behind, you descend or seventh century. The town began to route downhill to the market town into the historic market town of expand in the 13th century when it was of Wellington. Wellington – the gateway to the Wrekin granted a Crown Charter to hold a regular Forest to the south and the Shropshire market, which is still held today. The Ercall Plain to the north. Haughmond Hill The quarries of the Ercall dramatically As you move toward the centre of The nature trails and varied terrain at illustrate the explosion of life as the town you reach Watling Street as Haughmond Hill are ideal for people Precambrian gave way to the Cambrian. it approached the Roman city of of all abilities to explore. Way-marked Looking up to the bright pink and grey layers Viroconium a short distance to the trails radiate from a central point on the of rock on a sunny day is breathtaking. As west. The ruins and visitor centre can hill which offers off-road parking and a you follow the Shropshire Way upwards, a be found at Wroxeter roughly six miles cabin with refreshments and facilities. side path gives access to the spot where the The routes include an Easy Access path two types of rock come together. and a Geo Walk with a viewing platform The path wanders through the Ercall Wood overlooking the working quarry. The and forms part of a number of circular routes Shropshire Way arrives at the hill along which can be used to explore the area in its southern boundary and provides greater detail. The ancient woodland is a steep climb to reach a viewing area protected by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and at the top with excellent views of the is home for a wide variety of species – the Iron gates at The Green, Wellington surrounding area. bluebells in spring being a wonder to behold. Wellington

Acknowledgements: Thanks to the Wellington Walkers are Welcome group for their 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. www.wellingtonwalkersarewelcome.org.uk Haughmond Hill woodland path www.ramblers.org.uk/telford-east-shropshire

Artwork and photography by MA Creative • www.macreative.co.uk • March 2015 Douglas Leap, Haughmond Hill

Sunderton Rough Pool Discover Shropshire Marl Route 17 0 KILOMETRES 1 2 250m ROUTE PROFILE 200m B5062

Haughmond Abbey 1 150m MILES /2 River Roden (Remains) 0 1 Holly 100m Coppice Sugdon 50m Kilometres 3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Heath 0m Rodington Marsh Green Miles 264 8 10 12 Quarry Farm (disused) Douglas Leap viewpoint HAUGHMOND SILKIN WAY U ngton HILL (starts at Bratton) A442 The Criftin Hunkington Bratton River Shawbirch Severn B5063 Dothill Canal A49 Mirelake Farm Allscott Admaston A5223 (disused) Downton Withington

B4394 WREKIN LINK Walcot A5

River Tern

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O Playing School U R Field R Wellington D A C D S H O A U R H T O T Orleton Hall R H Charlton T R N E N R Y R E L O L O S C O A N S N WR A R OCK E Leaton WARDINE D R R OA D D Sunnycroft S A P R C I N V Quarry G RD A E H ERT LB N Shropshire Way Footpaths Bridleways I ALB E U L R D R O A D R L V I N E YA T E C R D H AD

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R STA S ECT TION RD T RD D O R WATE ST E RLO A ET THE E O RK PARAD T ROA D A E V D Caravan/Camping Site M Market IC Café Cluddley NE TO W R I REG S A V EN T T A T A H T. S Public House Museum S N T O ER R K Ercall AL B E L W H E A IG L H T I N S E T Wood V K S D Toilets Car Parking A I R O C G Buckatree O R T LE

AD E O R O A D T R I A B Hotel A E HI Aston YG GH H A S T ST Building of Historical Interest English Heritage College N

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R C O Wood O S H Cemetery R T Gardens Forestry Commission H R O W D N A A I A D I K D O H T D ROA E A R E E LYHE Youth Hostel R HO Walking routes E R DIFFICULTY: Long undulating section T B E Bowring

A W G R Sunnycroft T Park THE WREKIN Y A A Hospital H V A D E R O For a more detailed map directions N School A D U H E E Y H O L and information visit: www.shropshirewalking.co.uk Distance 12.5 miles/20 km College You are not permitted to copy, sub-licence, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form. © Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100049049 M54

Ercall Wood