Route 19 Shelton to Nesscliffe
Shelton water tower Remains of Shrawardine Castle A meeting of the Shropshire Way and the Severn Way castles and churches. There is a cave direct right angled approach resulted in This walk links Shrewsbury’s landmark hewn into the sandstone, said to have a sharp bend by the toll house which at Shelton water tower to the delightful been the hideout of the Robin Hood least has the virtue of slowing traffic. and historically fascinating Nesscliffe style outlaw Humphrey Kynaston in Charles Darwin’s parents Robert and Hill Country Park. On the way you will the 1490s. Legend has it that he would Susannah (daughter of fine porcelain cross the Severn at Montford Bridge – put his shoes on backwards to confuse maker Josiah Wedgwood) are buried scene of many a Welsh-English parley in people chasing him. near the tower of St Chad’s Church in the times of discontent – and pass through neighbouring village of Montford. Shrawardine (known locally as Shraden) These and other features are described with its remains of a Norman castle and in a series of interpretation panels. Castella Isabella - moat. There were once Victorian tea pavilions Shrawadine – put up by local landowner the Earl Castella Isabella was the Norman name Although this section shares much of its of Bradford – where ladies archery for what is known more prosaically route with the Severn Way you will see competitions and dances took place. now as Shrawardine Castle. It stands little of the river and most of that as you Tea is no longer on offer but if you have somewhat forlornly in a field opposite leave/approach Shrewsbury. But the lack your own you can take advantage of the Yeoman’s Cottage. As the OS map of riverside footpaths is a massive plus discrete picnic tables and imagine the indicates (remains of) there is little for otters and other wildlife that are re- thwack of arrows and ladies a-quiver in left other than a mound, a couple of establishing a foothold on the banks of this beautiful leaf-carpeted clearing. sandstone sections of the keep walls and what is now a much cleaner effluent-free You may have to take minor detours part of the moat. river. It also means that the route does from the Shropshire Way route to take not become impassable at the merest in all these features but the site is well Shrawardine locals were aggrieved when hint of flooding. signed with plenty of connecting paths and bridleways. much of their castle was dismantled by Cromwell’s men and the stone used to Nesscliffe Montford – Bridge and repair Shrewsbury Castle. It could be Nesscliffe Hill and The Cliffe cover two argued that they would be within their wooded hills and part of a heather- Village rights to ask for it back, creating a covered ridge. There are expansive views Nesscliffe’s resident robber Humphrey Salopian version of the Elgin Marbles. over the Shropshire countryside and Kynaston on his horse Beelzebub is Welsh hills. said to have jumped the river Severn at In the village there are some attractive Montford Bridge after lawmen removed black and white cottages which combine View from Oliver’s Point, Nesscliffe The site includes an Iron Age hill fort, the wooden slats of the crossing. sandstone, brick and timber framing in a a series of impressive quarries which Today’s bridge was designed by Thomas particularly striking manner. supplied stone for some of Shropshire’s Telford and built by prison labour. Its
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas Camping at Montford Bridge
Discover Shropshire Route 19 Valeswood Hopton Old Three Pigeons, Nesscliffe DIFFICULTY: level or gently undulating. Hill Hopton
A5 Hillfort 9½ miles / 15 kilometres Nesscliffe Hill Nessclie Country Park Route Profile Grafton 150m Great Ness Fitz 100m 50m Kilometres 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Wilcott Forton Heath Miles 1234 5678 Motte Nesscliffe Broomelds Mytton Isle Pool Training Camp Disused Felton Butler Airfield Miller’s Clump R i v e r Se ve r Bickley n Ensdon A5 Coppice
Alkmund Park Wood
Stitford
D Rough ISMANTLED RA Horse Military Shrawardine B5067 Training Area Moors Berwick IL WA Castle Den House Y Plantation Montford Bridge Shrawardine Bicton
B4380 R
i Mott & v e Bailey r Agricultural Montford S Oxon e Little v Showground Field Studies e Shrawardine Pool r e ve r n Water Tower n r S Centre v e R i Bicton Heath You are not permitted to copy, sub-licence, A458 Shelton SHREWSBURY distribute or sell any of this data to third 0 KILOMETRES 2 4 Gains parties in any form. A5 Park © Crown copyright and database rights Hospital 2012 Ordnance Survey 100049049 0 MILES 1 2 Boathouse School For more details and information visit: www.shropshirewalking.co.uk