The Ride Route 10 High Views, Parks and Parliaments Ride Acton Burnell Castle The views of the Lawley and its Bronze Despite being called a castle Acton Age settlements are wonderful from Burnell isn’t. Defence was never a this ride. You cross a Roman road, see major purpose of the building. Built the ruins of a 13th century manor house of red sandstone in the 13th century and ride past an Elizabethan lodge. it is a fine example of a fortified manor house. It is considered to be Acton Burnell, have you noticed how one of the oldest remains of its type many “Actons” there are in Shropshire? in the country. Acton comes from the Saxon words “Ac” for oak and “Ton” for settlement. Then a famous persons name would be added. Here the name was taken from Robert Roman Reminders Burnell the to Edward Causeway Wood lies on very tough sandstone which was quarried by the Romans to use in the the first. King Edward visited here in construction of their town at known as Virconium. The quarries are within a short distance of 1282 and held the first full parliament at the road between and Acton Burnell which runs along the course of a Roman Road,Watling Acton Burnell Castle. Street, which linked Viriconium to , or Bravonium, in Herefordshire. When you get to Frodesley village the road you cross was built by the Romans. It ran from Wroxeter (Viriconium) to Leintwardine and was a lot busier then The village of Pitchford owes than it is now. its named to an ancient well near a ford in the Rowe Brook. As you ride around Lodge Hill and From very early times the well Frodesley look out for the remains of old was a source of pitch or boundary walls. These are Elizabethan bitumen which was used as and once surrounded the vast Frodesley mortar or adhesive. In the Park. Now little remains except the village, next to the church, is Lodge, built in 1591 as a hunting lodge. Pitchford Hall, a 16th century half timbered mansion It’s said there are tunnels running into the regarded as one of the finest hill behind it used by Royalists to escape of its type in Britain. Parliamentary forces in the Civil War. The views from Hoar Edge and Yell Bank are superb. To the north-west is the Lawley with its prehistoric earthworks. KEY to maps Public House Cafe / Shop To the south-east the fossil rich Telephone Church Ride Route with direction number limestone escarpment of Wenlock Edge. Car Parking Public Toilet Beyond the Clee Hills, the highest point Jack Mytton Way in Shropshire with their modern radar Visitor Information Buildings Bridleway and radio masts. Footpath Byway A Road / B Road Other road Design and artwork: www.MACreative.co.uk Your route for the day... Route 10 Acton Burnell: 13 miles / 21 km

Start: Chatwall Hall OS map 217 & 241 • Grid Ref: SO515975 13 After 200m turn left at Frodesley Hall Farm and continue to gate. 1 Leave Chatwall Hall and follow lane towards Acton Burnell Turn right, past converted barns, and join track running through 2 Take left hand turn towards Acton Burnell fields, keeping straight ahead. 3 Continue through Ruckley past right turn to Langley. 14 At T junction of bridleways turn right into woodland. 4 Opposite Ballshill Cottage take the bridleway on the left and cross fields to bridleway junction after gate. 15 Follow main forestry track to right. Pass Frodesley Lodge keeping to 5 Turn right and ride up hill passing close to a woodland track. When main track derelict cottage on your left. Continue straight peters out keep straight on along ahead to meet a farm track. Keep to track all the grass track which takes you out to way to Home Farm and pass through farmyard to road. road. 16 Turn left and ride steeply uphill. 6 Turn left towards Acton Burnell. 17 At top of hill turn right before 7 Turn left at junction and follow road for cottage along hedged track. Follow 2 ⁄3 mile (1km). Hoar Edge for about 1 mile (1.5km) to road. 8 At sharp left hand bend take the bridleway on right and follow across fields. Go over 18 Turn left and continue along Yell bridge, through woodland and follow Bank which takes you back to hedged lane to road. your starting point.

9 Turn left onto road to Pitchford. 10 In village take a bridleway on the left and follow track to Stockbatch.

11 At Stockbatch join stoned driveway which takes you out to road.

12 Turn left and continue for 1 mile (1.5km) to crossroads. Go straight over to Frodesley.

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