Walking in the Shropshire Hills by Phil Wright

Walking in the Shropshire Hills Discover this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 10 fabulous walks starting from Bucknell

Discover Shropshire’s best kept secret… Patrons come from many miles to savour the warm welcome at this family owned, free house country inn. The Baron is the perfect venue for any occasion, whether it’s a relaxing short break, an intimate dinner, a family get together, a party celebration or a large function, you are made to feel really special. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the surrounding countryside is wonderful for walking, cycling and horse riding.

What makes us so special? • Beautiful location with stunning views • Just 20 minutes from Ludlow • 5 Luxury en-suite bedrooms • High quality homemade food and local real ales • Stunning beer garden and large car park • Special interest groups and family parties catered for • Relaxed atmosphere, family friendly and disabled access • Certificated camping and caravan site

Walks from Bucknell South Shropshire by

Mike Starr 2nd edition 2010, updated 2013

CONTENTS Preface Walk 1 Walk 2 Walk 3 Walk 4 Walk 5 Walk 6 Walk 7 Walk 8 Walk 9 Walk 10

Bucknell Hill - 1¾ miles circular walk Mynd - 5½ miles circular walk Hopton Titterhill - 4¾ or 7½ miles circular walk Holloway Rocks - 6¾ miles circular walk Heronry - 6 or 7 miles circular walk Ragged Kingdom - 5¾ or 8¾ miles circular walk Caer Caradoc - 11 miles circular walk Hopton Castle - 11½ miles circular walk Leintwardine - 4¾ miles linear or 9½ miles circular walk Knighton - 9½ miles linear walk

4 7 8 10 14 17 21 25 29 34 36

Acknowledgements: Ordnance survey maps are reproduced courtesy of Shropshire Council. The majority of the footpaths covered by this booklet have been the subject of major refurbishment by the Shropshire Countryside Access Team They have been subsequently maintained and improved by Bucknell Volunteer Footpath (P3) group (chairman Mike Starr). The information given in this booklet is given in good faith and is believed to be correct at the time of printing. No responsibility is accepted for errors or omissions, or for any loss or injury howsoever caused. It would greatly help in any revision of this booklet if you could e-mail any problems you encounter when walking these routes to the author at michael.starr2@btopenworld.com. Copyright © 2010 M S Starr

Preface This booklet describes a variety of walks giving a flavour of Bucknell and the surrounding South Shropshire countryside. The walks all start and/or finish at the local hostelry, the Baron of Beef, where car parking is available on request. They range from a short village trail to more energetic excursions into the surrounding woods and hills. Light shoes or trainers are adequate around the village, but stronger footwear is preferable for the hills. The routes can be followed using the guide alone, or in conjunction with Explorer map 201 (and 203 for walk 9). Distances are approximate - as a rough guide allow 1 hour to cover 2 miles. Directions left and right are shown as L and R in the text. Finally, please respect the countryside code: leave gates as you find them, keep to paths, keep dogs on a lead near livestock, take your litter home and walk single file through fields with crops. Bucknell Walkers The local walking group welcomes visitors on organised walks, which take place on Mondays and start from the church lychgate at 9 a.m. Distances alternate between short (3-5 miles) and long (7-12 miles, take packed lunch). For further information go to www.bucknellandbedstone.org, click on leisure, then follow the link. About Bucknell Listed as Buckehale in the Domesday Book, Bucknell thrived on agriculture and timber, greatly aided by the opening of the railway in 1863. This is reflected in the population increase from 226 in 1811 to 546 at the end of the 19th century. Goods traffic ceased with the Beeching closures of the 1950s, but the population was already in decline (494 in 1981). The splendid station building became a private residence, one of the tracks was torn up and the station was downgraded to an unmanned halt. What remains is the delightfully scenic Heart of Wales line. Pumped water from a spring above Chapel Lawn was first brought to the village in the 1920s. Before that residents relied on the river Redlake, which explains why the older houses were built close to the river bank. Gravel from the river bed was used to keep the roads in good order. The river itself powered two mills, and was also used for dipping sheep. Being self-contained, Bucknell boasted the usual mix of trades required to keep a rural community going, along with two village shops, three pubs, a farrier and a school. The butcher’s shop still exists to this day on its original site, but the undertaker buried himself in his work and no longer survives. The Old School House dates from the early 17th century and taught local children until the present school was built in 1865. In the early 1900s it became the village shop and bakery run by the Picken family, who also repaired motorcycles and sold motor spirit. The gateway alongside The Old School House is purported to be the Right of Way along which the church took its sheep down to the river. The Pickens later took on and enlarged the Post Office, which gained a storey and lost its thatched roof. Somewhere inside the building is the original cruck wooden frame. The parish church of St. Mary sits in the centre of the village and was the largest of the three places of worship in Bucknell. Its roots go back to the 11th century, but the present building is more likely 14th century. It was restored in 1870 at a cost of £2,000. It is notable for its circular churchyard and saxon font. Stone from the earlier church can be seen in the lintels of the two houses nearby – Church View and Glebe Cottage. The Methodist Chapel, like so many in this area, became a private dwelling, whilst Coxall Baptist Church on the outskirts of Bucknell still holds a weekly service. The Causeway leads from the church to the Sitwell Arms, named after the family who were once the Lords of the Manor and owned much of Bucknell. The other pub, the Baron of Beef was once a farmhouse called Turkey Hall, after the son who was made ambassador to Turkey.

Ted Picken standing outside The Old School House when it was a village shop

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; early 1900s

The prominent fir trees next to The Old Farm stand on the remains of a Norman motte castle (latterly an ice house). Originally this would have been a stone or wooden defensive fortification built on top of a raised earthwork (the motte), alongside which was placed an enclosed courtyard (bailey) that housed animals and living quarters. There are many such mottes in the region, built to keep out the Welsh. Nowadays the Welsh manage to cross the border unmolested. As well as being close to Wales, Bucknell was once divided by the county border between Shropshire and Herefordshire. An act of parliament in 1554-5 moved the border, leaving the village to the fate Shropshire, where it has remained ever since. The river Redlake divides the village and is home to trout, native crayfish and otters. It joins the river Clun at Leintwardine, which in turn merges with the river Teme. Like so many rivers in Shropshire, these rivers are susceptible to rapid flooding. Care should therefore be taken when planning to walk any of the routes to the east of the village after recent heavy rain.

Walk 1(1¾ miles) - Bucknell Hill A gentle walk over Bucknell Hill, giving fine views of Bucknell and the river Redlake valley Turn R out of the Baron of Beef and then immediately R into Bridge End Lane. Walk up this road alongside the river Redlake for ½ mile. In olden times this stretch of river housed several mills. Nowadays it is home to trout, crayfish and kingfishers. If you’re really lucky, you might see an otter. Keep to the road as it passes through a gate and bends sharply R uphill. Point A The road soon becomes a grassy track, which you follow for 1 mile through a series of gates, with views of the Redlake and Teme valleys opening up to your R. Directly across the valley is the grassy Brampton Bryan Hill, which forms part of the Harley estate (of Harley Street fame). Beyond Bucknell is the densely wooded

Coxall Knoll, which hides an ancient iron age fort. The track ends at a road junction. Point B Turn R and walk down the road for 300 yds to another junction (signposted Mynd and Bedstone). Point C Take the gate on your R and go down the field edge to another gate and carry on down the next field towards the waymarked post. Shortly after the path drops down a short track to the L of the large oak tree, through a gate, where you then turn R onto Dog Kennel Lane. Turn R at the next road junction and regain the pub after 300 yds.

Walk 2 - Mynd-Darky Dale-Bucknell Hill (5½ miles) A hilly walk through meadows and woods, returning by the river Redlake. Fine views of the Teme valley

Turn L out of the Baron of Beef and walk along the Chapel Lawn road to the first bend. Turn L here into Dog Kennel Lane, then L again onto a bridleway just past the house called Caverswall. Go through a gate and up the hill, keeping close to the field boundary on your R. Continue through a 2nd gate and go up to the top of the field, keeping close to the sunken path on your L. Take a moment to look over your shoulder and admire the fine view of Bucknell. Point A Go straight across the road junction at the top (signposted Mynd) and after 80 yards cross a stile on your R. Bear L and drop down to another stile, then head up through three gates to a road by a house. Looking back gives views of Brampton Bryan Hill, with the wooded Coxall Knoll (an ancient hill fort) to its L. Point B Turn R and walk up the road to the next junction, where you turn L and walk past Mynd Farm. On your R, just past the farm buildings, are two fir trees close to the track. Ten yards past these trees is a stile at a field corner, which you cross into the sloping field beyond. Keeping to the top of the field, with the fence on your L, head towards the wooded hill in the distance. On the skyline beyond are the Stretton hills. Go down through the gate (or cross the stile) in the field corner and then descend steeply towards Pool Cottage below. Climb over the stile onto a road and turn R. Almost immediately turn L through a wooden gate and drop down into Darky Dale. Go through a metal gate and bear L into a marshy area by a small stream. Point C After 20yds cross the stream (no bridge) and follow the waymarks up the hill opposite. After a brief climb you reach a second waypost where the path splits – carry straight on here before heading back downhill to a stile and enter a wood. Pick your way through fir trees, keeping the stream on your L. At the end of the wood the track swings R uphill - this area has a fine display of snowdrops in spring. At the top corner of the wood turn L and go a short distance uphill to meet a major forest track.

Point D Turn L and follow this track about ½ mile until you see a sign saying “No Mountain Bikes”. Bear L here and drop down a grassy track to a cottage (Gripesnest), which is reached via two gates. At the cottage the way on is up the grassy slope opposite, just to the R of a corrugated iron barn. Swing L in front of the cottage, go through a metal field gate, and then walk up past the iron barn to the next gate, where you enter Hopton Wood. Point E Keep straight on, climbing gently through this wood (ignoring a track on the R after 50 yds) until it emerges at a junction of many paths at the top. Point F Go through the kissing gate onto a wide open pasture. You are now looking at the Chapel Lawn valley, dominated on the far side by the bare hill of Caer Caradoc. This is an iron age hill fort with impressive ramparts at the top. This area can be visited as it is now open access land (see walk 7). Keeping the woods on your immediate L, continue downhill over two stiles and past a cottage on your L (Honeyhole). After another stile the path curves down L to a kissing gate above a house. Go down the grassy bank and through the next gate on the L and carry on down the field to the Chapel Lawn road in the valley bottom. Point G Turn L onto the road and follow it for about ½ mile. Where the road bends sharply R, go through the gate on your L. Bear R and take the grassy bridleway uphill, through a gate and past a line of redwoods on your R. Point H Swing R past these trees, through a gate and keep to this bridleway as it contours round the base of Bucknell Hill. The river Redlake joins you from the R, although initially the path maintains its height above the river. After a little while you reach a field gate. Go through this gate and along a path to join the road by a cottage. Point I Go through the gate and walk down the road for about ½ mile into the village of Bucknell. You emerge at a road junction with the pub immediately on your L.

Walks 3a and 3b - Bucknell Hill with optional extension to Hopton Titterhill (4¾ and 7½ miles) Walk 3a – Hilly walk, mainly woods, out by the river Redlake with good view of Bucknell on the way back (solid line on map) Walk 3b – As walk 3a plus a hilly 2¾ mile extension (total 7½ miles) via Hopton Titterhill. Good views of the Stretton hills at the top (dotted line on map)

Walk 3a – Bucknell Hill (4¾ miles Turn R out of the Baron of Beef, go along the road, then turn R again into Bridgend Lane. Walk up this road alongside the river Redlake for about ½ mile to a gate. Point A After the gate the road bends R, but you carry straight on along a grassy bridleway, bordered by gorse and a line of trees. The river Redlake meanders to your L, while to your R is Bucknell Hill. Continue on this bridleway through two gates, ignoring a track going uphill to your R and a stile below you to your L. After passing through the second gate the path bends L around an imposing line of redwoods and descends via a gate to a road, where you go through another gate and turn R. Point B You are in the Redlake valley heading towards the village of Chapel Lawn. Walk up this road for about ½ mile until you see a fingerpost pointing R up an access road to a house. Point C Turn R and walk up the drive to the house. Keep R of the house and go up a grassy bank to a gate. If you look to your L here you will see that the valley is dominated by Caer Caradoc, a bare hill that was once an iron age hill fort (for a historical note see Walk 7). Continue uphill, crossing a stile and passing a house on your R (Honeyhole). Two more stiles lead to an open pasture, where a further slope takes you to a kissing gate and a major junction. A sign announces that you are now entering Hopton Wood. Once through the kissing gate you can either turn L and add a 2¾ mile loop around Hopton Titterhill, making the walk 7½ miles, or else turn R and limit the walk to 4¾ miles.

Point D To return to Bucknell, turn R and head for the black-yellow road barrier directly in front of you and slightly uphill. Follow the forest road as it swings first L and then R, before dropping down to another major junction. Point I Take the path in front of you, next to mountain bike sign 48, and follow it uphill. A short climb takes you to a high point, but the only views you get are glimpses of the Chapel Lawn valley through gaps in the fir trees on your R. After cresting the hill, the path drops down through beeches and conifers, until eventually you pass a track joining from the L and you see signs of civilisation once more. At the Bucknell Hill sign carry straight on past the house called Vermont. On a clear day you now begin to get a wonderful panoramic view, with the radar dome of Titterstone Clee Hill clearly visible on the skyline to your L. As you descend further the village of Bucknell is laid out before you in the valley below. Beyond the village is Coxall Knoll, a wood-covered hill that hides another iron age hill fort. Keep walking downhill until you meet a track on the L and an old horse box in the field nearby. Go past these and take the next turn R, just past a fingerpost. This is a permissive path that traverses the hill above Bucknell. Point J The grassy banks to the L of this path are covered with primroses in spring, while those to the R are home to numerous rabbits. Curlews can often be heard in the fields beyond. The path drops gradually, passing through a series of five gates, and becomes a metalled road at Hillside Cottage. Shortly afterwards the road bends sharp L and another gate is reached. You are now back on Bridgend Lane (Point A) which takes you back into the village by the pub.

Walk 3b – Hopton Titterhill (7½ miles) From Point D turn L out of the kissing gate and then bear R along a stony forest track, past a black-yellow road barrier. You stay on this track for about 1 mile. It descends gently at first, skirting the end of a valley, with a house called Gripesnest below you on your R. Point E Once past Gripesnest the road begins to climb again, with the valley to your R. Always stick to the main path and take no notice of mountain bike routes going off L. The woods clear briefly on your R, giving way to a grassy meadow, but then reappear again at a L-hand bend in the road. Shortly after you will meet a cross track, marked by mountain bike sign 36. Turn L here and follow the path steeply uphill. Point F Ignore any mountain bike tracks going off L and R and keep going uphill. A stony forest track joins from the R. A little further uphill you come to a wide open area. Bear L and keep to the main track. Tree felling has opened up the views on your L and you begin to appreciate the height you have made (if you’re legs aren’t telling you this already!). Follow this track until you meet a pool on your R that marks a spring (by mountain bike sign 22). As you turn R here you will find a thoughtfully placed log seat offers a welcome rest, before the final stretch up to the summit of Hopton Titterhill. As you emerge from the trees the top is just above you and to the R. The top affords some fine views of the south Shropshire hills. As well as being the start of various downhill routes for mountain bikes, the hill is also renowned for its summer whinberries. Point G

Whinberry pickers at The Old School House – 1908 Nowadays the whinberries are eaten or picked for jam, but in the early 1900s they were reputedly collected by local villagers for the dyeing industry. A specially made tool (resembling a dust pan with prongs) was used to comb the whinberry bushes, and the berries and leaves were deposited into wicker baskets for sorting later. Tree planting has decimated the whinberries on Hopton Titterhill, but they still grow in profusion on the Stiperstones (a few miles north of here). 10

After soaking up the views and sampling the wild fruits, retrace your steps to the spring below and turn R to regain the forest track. After a short distance, by mountain bike sign 9, turn back sharply L and proceed down a grassy path. Follow this path, round a R-hand bend, and continue until the wood on your R comes to an end. Point H Carry straight on with a wood on your L and a young fir plantation on your R. Seeds from these fir trees are harvested periodically and sent to tree nurseries in south east England. Keep to the obvious path where it zig-zags R and L through the trees, until you reach a road at Mereoak Farm (by mountain bike sign 44). Turn L and you will find yourself at the complex junction you were at earlier. You are now back at Point D. Your route home is through the black-yellow road barrier ahead of you (see walk 3a above).

Walk 4 - Bucknell Wood - Stowe Hill - Holloway Rocks – Weston (6¾ miles) Starts with a gentle climb through woods, then continues as an easy walk over a grassy hilltop with wonderful views of the Marches hills Leave the Baron of Beef and turn R onto the Chapel Lawn road, then R again into Bridge End Lane. With the river Redlake on your L, walk as far as a house called “Seabridge”. Turn L and take the footbridge over the river, then cross the road and walk along the unmade track ahead. At the T-junction turn R. You are now entering Bucknell Wood, which is host to fallow deer, numerous species of birds and flowers, and a rich diversity of fungi in autumn. Point A Walk along the forest track until you reach a lay-by on your L by a disused quarry. Bear L here and go around the barrier onto a parallel forest track. About 10 yards past the barrier you will see the start of a narrow, sunken and somewhat indistinct leafy path on your L (look for a silver arrow on tree on L). Point B This route offers a pleasant alternative to the many stony tracks that criss-cross the wood. Follow this path as it winds up through the trees (ducking under any fallen ones). Eventually you emerge from the trees onto a forest road. Point C Cross this road and bear right onto the wide track opposite. Primroses and violets by the side of this path offer an early splash of colour here in spring, before the bluebells take over. The monotony of the closely planted fir trees is later broken to your L by amore open deciduous wood, through which you can just discern the grassy meadows of the Teme valley. As the trees recede, you come to the forest road you crossed at point C. This road branches, with one route opposite and the other going off L to a bend, before veering R uphill. Go L as far as this bend, but do not follow the track uphill. Instead, bear L onto a grassy path. Point D A few yards further on this path divides. Ignore the L route which drops steeply downhill to Cwm (a building converted into a bat roost). Instead, follow the grassy track on the level round to the R and continue on this wide balcony path, at first on the level and then up two rises. The trees on either side are now older and bigger, and you eventually meet up with a path joining from the R.

Point E Ahead of you is a wire fence. Just before this fence, turn R onto a barely discernible path snaking up through the trees (keeping the wire fence about 10 yards to your L). You are now nearly at the top. To your R the trees have been felled, leaving the foxgloves to make a purple carpet in summer. To your L, between gaps in the trees, you are treated to a close-up view of the iron-age hill fort, Caer Caradoc. A little further on, at a gate, you are reacquainted with the same forest road you left at point D. Turn L through the gate and step onto the open grassland of Stowe Hill. This is a favourite place for buzzards, ravens and skylarks. The village of Chapel Lawn nestles in the valley below. Follow the track across the field to a gate opposite. Go through this gate and keep to the track as it continues gently uphill with a wire fence on your R. The path meets the wood on your R (look out for crossbills) and continues to a gate in the field corner, about 200 yards further on. Point F Once through the gate leave the main path and bear half L onto open grassland. Walk past a small pool on your L (may be dry in summer). As you crest the hill you will see a track joining to your L, going downhill to an obvious gap. Head for this gap, which marks a steep descent through Holloway Rocks. The welsh town of Knighton is visible in the distance. Point G The path zig-zags past an old quarry to your L, before passing through a gate to a wide grassy area. There is a large pond on your R at the bottom of the hill. Follow the main track as it skirts L around a grassy mound and continues on down until you come to a gate by the edge of a wood. Go through this gate and follow the track into Stowe village. Point H After passing above Stowe church the path divides into three – take the middle route ahead. The path climbs to pass though the front garden of Hillside Cottage and into the wood beyond. Carry straight on and shortly afterwards fork L up the hill and through the wood. Ignore a path to the R and continue upwards past pheasant rearing pens. Leave the wood by a gate and enter an open grassy area, with the wood on your R and a hill to your L (home to buzzards, ravens and the occasional red kite). Walk along the grass until you come to the end of the wood, where views of the Teme valley begin to open up on your R. Point I Ahead of you is a gate – do not go through. Instead, keep L of the gate and walk ahead with the fence to your immediate R. Follow this path as it enters the deciduous wood ahead. After a short while the path veers R and becomes a sunken track. Go through the gate at the bottom and turn L onto a farm track. Down in the valley the meanders of the river Teme are clearly seen. As you approach the farm at Weston, the right of way perversely leaves the main track and skirts round the field below you – please keep to this clearly waymarked route. You rejoin the track lower down where a gate takes you into the farmyard. Go through the kissing gate, down the steps and turn R. Point J As you pass through the farmyard, take a moment to view the restored overshot water wheel on your R. Join the road and turn L. Walk along the road until you come to a fork in the road by the entrance to Cubbage Cottage. Point K Take the L branch of the fork and follow the track gently uphill through the woods, ignoring any side paths. Pass an open field on your R and, where the fence ends, bear slightly R across the service road and follow the path down to Chapel Lawn road. Turn R at the bend in the road and the pub is regained on your L.

Walks 5a and 5b (6 and 7 miles) River Redlake and heronry - with optional extension via Clun water meadows Walk 5a – Flat, easy walk across open fields in the Redlake valley (solid line) Walk 5b – As for 5a plus an optional 1 mile extension (dashed line) to include water meadows of the river Clun

Walk 5a (6 miles) – river Redlake and heronry Turn L out of the Baron of Beef and follow the road round to the church. Point A Turn L in front of the church and follow the footpath past the churchyard and along by the river into the village. Cross the road onto a stony track opposite the Sitwell Arms, and pass through two kissing gates into the meadow beyond. Go to the far end of the field, through a gate and then bear half R to the second stile over the railway. Ahead of you is the wooded Coxall Knoll, which hides of an iron-age hill fort. Point B Turn L after the stile and walk along the edge of the field by the railway. Don’t go through the gap at the end of field, but turn R and pass under the power line until you reach the corner of the field by the end of the wood. Above you is a stile partly obscured by a tree. Cross this stile into the meadow beyond. Head for the house and cross the stile in the far corner. Go straight ahead past a red brick barn to the corner of the field, then turn R and walk along to the finger post in the hedge. Cross the stile and turn R onto the road. Point C Follow the road for about 40 yards , then turn L at the next finger post into a gently sloping field. Follow the path up the hill (the only one on this walk – honest!) along a wide field margin, giving open views of the South Shropshire hills. Go through the kissing gate, walk ahead for a few yards to a corner and then head half R to another gate on the far side of the field. Once through the gate go over the track and take the next gate ahead of you. To your R you will see a line of trees, below which there is a lake and a heronry. The herons seldom see people and are therefore very timid. Observe them by all means, but try to avoid disturbing the birds unnecessarily, particularly in the nesting season. Continue on past the lake towards the disused square, red brick water reservoir, and then bear R and head for the kissing gate (between two obvious trees). Beyond the gate head for the gap in the far L corner. Pass through this gap and cross the next field to the gate in the corner. To your R is the hamlet of Buckton. Point D Once across the stile, do not approach the road junction, but turn L up the dirt track. This section can be wet and muddy after rain! Follow this track for about 1 mile as it snakes between two hedgerows, which are home to badgers and rabbits. Eventually you reach a metal field gate, which takes you into a large meadow, where you continue straight ahead to a clump of tall trees and a crossing of paths. At this point turn sharp L. 14

Point E Aim for the wooden footbridge on the far side of the field. If the construction of the bridge appears over the top, you should see the river when it’s in flood! Turn L after the bridge and walk to the gate in the far R corner (by a large oak tree). Once through the gate you are now on Adleymoor Common, with its tussocky grass and gorse bushes. To your R Jay Cottages enjoy a tranquil setting. Walk ahead to the dirt road, turn L and follow this track across the common. The track soon becomes a metalled road that takes you through the hamlet of Adley Moor. You follow this road for the next ½ mile. As you leave the houses behind, the road curves to the L and you rejoin the river Redlake. Cross the bridge and immediately climb over the fence on your R. You are now back on familiar territory (Point C). Walk ahead along the field edge, past a brick barn and across a stile, then over the meadow to the stile on the far side. Cross the stile and turn down R, going round the end of the field to reach the railway. Turn L here and walk alongside the railway until you come to a gate across the tracks. Cross the railway here, and then turn L to follow the remains of a grassy earthwork to a gate on the far side of the meadow. Pass through the gate and walk alongside the river back to Bucknell.

Walk 5b (7 miles) – river Clun water meadows Continue from Point F (Walk 5a). Having crossed the stile, turn R and then immediately L at the No Through Road sign. Walk along the road for ½ mile, until you reach the buildings of Buckton Park. Do not enter the farm, but bear L instead down a short track that takes you through a gate. Point F Cross the stile ahead of you and walk past some delightful old barns to a further stile, which leads to a large meadow. Make a beeline for the large clump of trees in the far L corner of this meadow, where you will find a triple stile that takes you acrobatically into a further large expanse of meadow. Directly ahead, just visible above the trees, is the flagpole of Leintwardine church (worth a visit to see the display of local history, plus the workings of the ancient 16th century clock recovered from the tower). Cross the meadow by keeping to the L of the ditch. On the far side you cross a footbridge, where you turn R and head for another bridge over the river Clun. Point G (For plenty of reward with very little extra effort, you can cross the bridge and then turn R to follow the track into Leintwardine (under ½ mile), exiting by the Lion hotel and the village shop. Don’t forget to reverse your route to continue the walk). Otherwise, turn L before the bridge and follow the fenced-off path alongside the river Clun, crossing into the main field where directed by a waymarked gate. After about 1 mile you reach the confluence with the river Redlake. This whole stretch is proper water meadow (south-east England speak for housing estate). If the rivers look docile, try to imagine yourself standing in a foot or so of water, with a lake to your L as far as the eye can see, as happens not infrequently after a heavy storm! Just past the confluence is a white-painted footbridge over the river Redlake, next to a sign threatening doom to Birmingham anglers. Cross the bridge and immediately turn sharp L and walk along the edge of the field (probably overgrown, but it keeps you close to the river) for about 120 yards, until you meet a lone telegraph pole. Shortly after you will see another flimsy-looking concrete footbridge through the undergrowth, where you cross back precariously over the river (see footnote below). Point H The waymark on the stile beyond directs you to a gate on the far side of a pasture, just to the R of a line of trees. Depending on the time of year, this field and the next one are wonderful flower meadows, reminiscent of how the countryside used to look before intensive farming. Once through the gate head towards a stand of tall trees, where you pass through a gate to rejoin walk 5a at Point E. Refer now to the description for walk 5a to get back to Bucknell. Footnote: this bridge has been declared unsafe, even though it has been in this condition for years. If you are unhappy about crossing it, then carry on for a further 100 yds and take the stile on your L. Exit the field via the gate on the far side and walk across the front lawn of Jay Barn. A gate leads you to a far track, where you turn L, drop down past a nd manicured garden and through a 2 gate to regain the river Redlake. Turn R after the bridge and then follow walk 5a from point E.

Walks 6a and 6b (5¾ and 8¾ miles) Bucknell Wood - Stowe Hill - with optional extension via Ragged Kingdom Walk 6a - Gentle climb through woods then easy walk with panoramic views. This is similar to walk 4, but follows a different route up through Bucknell Wood (solid line) Walk 6b – As for walk 6a plus an easy 3 mile extension via Ragged Kingdom - flat, high level addition over grassy meadows with wonderful views (dashed line)

Walk 6a (5¾ miles) – Bucknell Wood and Stowe Hill Leave the Baron of Beef and turn R onto Chapel Lawn road, then R again into Bridgend Lane. After a short while you join the river Redlake on your L. Walk as far as a house called “Seabridge”. Turn L and cross the footbridge over the river, then cross the road and walk along the forest track ahead. A short distance further on you reach a T-junction marked by a Forestry Commission sign saying Bucknell Wood, where you turn R. Point A Walk along the forest track, past a black-yellow barrier, until you reach a lay-by on your L. Bear L here and go past the gate onto a pleasant stony path. Follow this gently uphill, passing one bridleway and crossing another. After ½ mile a major track joins from the L. Point B Continue straight on for about ⅓ mile until you reach a deciduous clearing with a glimpse of views through the trees to your L. Resist the temptation to turn R at the first junction. Instead, carry on a little further and follow the track as it curves R uphill. Point C As you gain height, forest clearing reveals open views to your R. Bucknell is spread out below you. To the L of Bucknell are the wooded slopes of Bucknell Hill and Hopton Titterhill, whilst behind Bucknell on the skyline is Titterstone Clee Hill (with its white radar dome). The village in the Redlake valley beneath you is Chapel Lawn. In the distance is the Long Mynd, while further L you can make out the rocky top of the Stiperstones. After another ¾ mile the forest track comes to a gate, through which you step onto the open grassland of Stowe Hill. Point D This is skylark territory. If you don’t hear one on your visit, claim on your insurance. The iron age hill fort of Caer Caradoc (yes, another one; for explanation see walk 7) now dominates the view ahead R. The gorse on the top emphasises the line of the three ditches that provide the ancient fortifications of the hill. 16

Cross the field and go through a second gate, where you now have the option to turn L and limit the walk to 5¾ miles, or else carry on and complete a 8¾ mile circuit. Point E Having turned L, ignore the next gate immediately to your L and walk up the grassy hill, keeping the wood close to your L. Pass through two gates to reach the high point of the walk. Ahead of you on the horizon is the forbidding-looking flat top of the aptly named Black Mixen, identified by its central mast. It’s pretty much all downhill from here. Following the edge of the wood takes you to another gate, which leads into mixed woodland (ignore a gate on your L just before this). You then descend a delightful grassy path, until you exit (unsurprisingly) by another gate onto a broad farm track. Point F Turn L onto this track and follow it downhill, gently at first between trees and fields, and then more steeply through a splendid deciduous wood. Before you leave the wood, keep an eye open for a waymarked post that directs you to turn L, where you wend your way down through the wood. When you come to a fence turn L. Point G Keeping the fence close to your R, follow the clearly defined sunken track, which ends in a kissing gate. Turn L onto the track beyond and carry on down towards the farm at Weston. Above you, if you’re lucky, you may glimpse the pair of red kites that nest near here (these have probably spread from Rhayader to the west, where an intensive programme of red kite reintroduction at Gigrin Farm has been very successful). Down in the valley the meanders of the river Teme are clearly seen. If you want to impress your friends, point out to them that the actual distance travelled by a meandering river between two points, divided by the shortest distance between those two points, approximates very closely to the value of pi. Just before the farm, leave the track and follow the waymarked route around the edge of the field. This takes you back onto the track a little further on, where you enter the farmyard via a gate. Turn R and take a moment to view the restored overshot water wheel on your R. Join the road and turn L. Point H Walk along the road until you come to Cubbage Cottage. Point I At the fork in the road, keep L and follow the track gently uphill through the woods, ignoring any side paths. Pass an open field on your R and, where the fence ends, bear slightly R and cross the service road to follow the path down to the Chapel Lawn road. Turn R at the bend in the road and the pub is immediately on your L.

Walk 6b (8¾ miles) – via Ragged Kingdom This extension adds a further very easy 3 miles to Walk 6a, but you are rewarded with truly stunning views of the Marches hills. From Point E you can see your path snaking up the hill in front of you. The path goes past a line of fir trees and gorse before coming to a bigger fir wood edged by larches. Go through another gate and walk ahead, keeping close to the fence and wood on your R. Where the wood ends, ⅓ mile further on, you pass through two gates between the wood on your R and a line of trees on your L, to regain open pasture and stunning views of the Welsh hills. Point J Carry straight on for a little over ½ mile with the fence on your R, through a series of three gates, until you come to a point where the path is lined by some trees. A little further on is another gate. Go through this and then turn 90o L through another waymarked gate into a field. Point K Keeping close to the fence on your L, walk straight on through five more gates and past a barn. At the last gate you will see another track joining from your R. Where the two tracks meet, at a kink in the fenceline, is a stile on your L. Go across this stile and bear half R across the field. As you crest the hill you will see three gates ahead of you. Pass through the left-hand gate and continue straight ahead, following the line of the hedge on your R down through two more gates and into a wood. Point L You are now entering Ragged Kingdom, where a delightful grassy track takes you down through deciduous trees, rhododendrons and carpets of bluebells in spring. At the bottom, the path emerges from the wood at a gate onto open grassland once more. In front of you is a small grassy mound – keep to the R of this and you will find yourself descending steeply down a stony track to a gate at the corner of a wood. Go through this gate and follow the track into Stowe village. Point M After passing above Stowe church the path divides into three – take the middle route ahead. The path climbs through the front garden of Hillside Cottage and then continues to meet a track from the R. Carry straight on and shortly afterwards fork L up the hill and through the wood. Ignore a path to the R and continue upwards past pheasant rearing pens. 17

Point N Leave the wood by a gate and turn R onto an open grassy area, with the wood on your R and a gorse-covered hill to your L. Expect to see buzzards, ravens and even red kites. Walk along the grass until you come to the end of the wood, where views of the Teme valley begin to open up on your R. Ahead of you is a gate â&#x20AC;&#x201C; do not go through. Instead, keep L of the gate and walk ahead with the fence to your immediate R, into the wood. You are now at Point G on Walk 6a (see above). Read the description for Walk 6a to return to Bucknell.

Walk 7 (11 miles) Stowe Hill - Caer Caradoc - Chapel Lawn A hilly, varied and scenic walk, crossing two streams and taking in the hill fort of Caer Caradoc Begin by following directions for Walk 6a as far as point D.

Point D As you step onto Stowe Hill your goal is the gorse-covered ancient hill fort of Caer Caradoc directly ahead of you. Keep to the track and make your way across the field. Don’t go through the gate, but instead turn R and follow the byway downhill through two gates. Here, you leave the byway and immediately bear L through another gate. Walk down the field towards some buildings in the valley below, keeping close to the hedge on your L. The path goes steeply downhill, over a stile and along by the hedge to another stile in a field corner, hidden behind a large holly tree. Follow the sunken path between more holly trees as it bends first L and then R, to a boggy area where it crosses a stream and goes through a gate. Ahead of you is “Squire”, a house with a collection of holiday cottages. Walk up between the buildings and leave the estate by iron gates, where you turn L onto a road. Point E Walk up this road towards Caer Caradoc. Just after the road bends L past some electricity poles, go through the kissing gate on your R (signposted Caer Caradoc). Continue up past a house and through some deciduous trees to another kissing gate. Ignore the stile above you and take the grassy path all the way up the side of the hill (about ½ mile) to a third kissing gate. Point F Turn back L and follow the direction of the finger post on a gently rising traverse to another gate. You are now entering Access Land (right to roam). Go straight ahead and follow the thin path as it contours around the east side of the hill, then turn R steeply uphill when you can see a convenient gap in the gorse. As you approach the top a gap in the ditches leads you to the summit. You are now at the high point of the walk. Looking west, Beacon Hill is visible on the skyline, across the Teme valley in Wales, and to the L of it is the broad top of Black Mixen, with its central mast. To the north is the rounded shape of Corndon Hill. Closer to home, try to imagine what it might have been like, stationed on this bleak, windswept hill two thousand years ago, in the days before goretex, waiting for the Romans to arrive. This was the fate that befell Caradoc, whose named is perpetuated in this lump of earth and stone (for historical footnote, see below). 19

When you’ve soaked up the view, simply retrace your steps to point F. Alternatively, you can continue your direction across the top of Caer Caradoc and through the ditches on the west side. You then come to a gate. Unfortunately the field beyond is not Access Land. To get off the hill you therefore have to turn R at this point and skirt back around the north flank of Caer Caradoc. To do this, climb out of the last ditch onto the bank immediately to the R of the gate. Staying within touching distance of the fence to your L, contour around the hill until you come to the last kissing gate you went through on the ascent. Turn L here and follow the path back to point F. Go straight ahead, keeping close to the bottom of each field, as the route takes you through three more kissing gates and onto a road. Turn R and go steeply downhill for ½ mile to a junction, where you turn L. Walk along by the river Redlake, round a bend in the road and turn R at the next junction. Point G Ahead of you are the houses of Pentre. Go up the road and turn R past the first stone cottage. Take the left-hand track and follow it to the garden of a house. Bear R through the small wooden gate and continue on a delightful path for 1 mile along the edge of Brineddin Wood. In spring the path is bordered by primroses and wood anemones, and a little later on by bluebells. On your R open fields lead down to the river Redlake, with Chapel Lawn stretched out beyond. You eventually emerge from the wood via a gate and continue directly across a field to a stile. Cross the stile and turn L onto a road. Point H Go up the road towards the houses of Pentre Hodre. At the next road junction turn R by a pond, signposted Bucknell 2¾ miles. Carry on down this road for 240 yds and take the first gate on your L onto a sunken path. This next section can be a little tricky to negotiate, with the path becoming overgrown in the summer and rather muddy and damp in wet weather. Make your way as best you can downhill through two more gates. At the bottom the path bends L, crosses a boggy area and meets a stream. Pick your way across the stream and pass through the gate. Scramble out of the valley, over another boggy patch, onto the open grassland beyond. Ahead of you is a wood, and to your L is a large grassy hill. Turn half L and walk uphill, aiming for the gap between the top corner of the wood and the grassy mound. As you get near the top of the slope, head for the corner of the fence that surrounds some trees on your L. Carry on alongside this fence and you will soon see three gates. Point I Go through the middle gate, turn R, and then walk up the field about 140 yards. Look out for a stile in the hedgerow on your R, which takes you into the field beyond. Strike out across the field, aiming for the topmost electricity pole on the far hill (single file through the crop!). This should take you directly to a stile on the edge of the fir wood at the far side of the field. Climb over the stile and walk down through a gap in the fir trees. The path may be indistinct here, but bends L in front of a fence and then goes down past a large oak tree (ignore a small padlocked gate on your R). Cross the stream at the bottom by the small plank bridge, and go over the stile to join a track by some security gates. Point J Follow this track down by a stream to some ponds. Clamber over a stile into a sloping meadow, and keep a level route across the middle of the field to another stile on the far side. Go across this stile and then go half L uphill for a few yards. The path then levels and carries straight on for a short distance before dropping down half R through more broom and brambles, past a large oak tree on your R to a fence. Walk along close to the fence to a stile in the field corner. Climb the stile ahead of you, cross an ancient cattle grid and resume a gradual descent on a clear track. Carry straight on through a series of gates and barriers, ignoring a track going uphill on your L, and eventually cross a scrap yard to reach the Chapel Lawn road. Refer to point G on Walk 2 to return to Bucknell. Caer Caradoc – a historical note This hill is a splendid example of an iron age hill fort, with its multiple ramparts and rock-cut ditches for defence. It is named after Caradoc, who was a king of the ancient Britons, and who chose Shropshire as his centre of resistance against the Romans. Nowadays this area is famed for its romantic beauty, but I expect poor old Caradoc (or Caractacus, as the romans called him), had other things on his mind when, in 52 AD, he was defeated in a fierce battle with the romans. His brother was killed and he was captured and taken to Rome, where he remained in exile. The present hill exactly fits the description of the battleground recorded by the roman historian Tacitus. Armchair historians would have us believe that the river Redlake in the valley below gets its name from this bloody event. This seems unlikely, however, as early 17th century maps show it as the river Bradfold, so perhaps the name Redlake stems from the English Civil War (1642-51)? Confusingly, there is another similarly named mound just to the north of here, and no doubt the residents of Church Stretton are equally prepared to do battle to support their connection with long lost royalty.

Walk 8 (11½ miles) Jay - Abcott - Hopton Castle Starts flat through the water meadows of the river Clun (impassable after heavy rain), then finishes with Hopton Wood and a few short climbs Turn L out of the Baron of Beef and walk along the road for ¼ mile until you reach the church. Turn L and walk down the footpath by the river Redlake until you reach the Sitwell Arms public house. Go across the road onto the dirt track opposite, and follow this through two kissing gates into the meadow beyond. Go to the far end of this field to a gate, then bear half R to the second stile and cross the railway.

Point A Turn L after the stile and walk along the edge of the field by the railway. Don’t go through the gap at the end of field, but turn R and pass under the power line until you reach the corner of the field by the end of the wood. Above you is a stile partly obscured by a tree. Cross the stile and head for the far L corner of the next field, and another stile. Continue along the edge of the next field, past a brick barn, and climb the fence in the corner (by a white bridge over the river Redlake) to reach a lane. Point B Turn L over the bridge and follow the lane for about ⅔ mile all the way through the hamlet of Adley Moor and onto the common the other side, where it becomes a dirt track. On the far side of the common is a house, to the R of which is a gate beneath a large oak tree. Go through this gate and cross the field to an imposing wooden footbridge, then cross the next field to a distinct clump of tall trees. 21

Point C Turn L onto a farm track and cross the bridge. This takes you through the tiny hamlet of Jay. After two gates and a very tidy garden, you come to a T-junction. Turn R here and look out for a fingerpost on your L about 60 yds further on. Point D On either side are large water meadows, although the river Clun is still about ¼ mile away. Nevertheless, in very wet weather the river bursts its banks, and if you were standing by this fingerpost, water could be lapping over your boots! You’d be looking at a lake as far as the eye could see, and for the next part of your walk you would need a canoe (see photograph)! Go through the gate and across the meadow, to where the hedgeline and treeline meet by the brook. Cross the stile and maintain your direction for ⅔ mile past a series of stiles and gates until you come to a tree-covered motte, close to the river Clun. To your left is the imposing Broadward Hall. Clun floods, March 2007 Point E Skirt the motte and cross the meadow, aiming for the stile in line with the house opposite. Turn R onto the road, cross the bridge, and then turn L. Walk along the bottom of the field by the river. Don’t go up the hill, but cross two stiles to enter somebody’s garden. This garden is testimony to what can be achieved with patience, a ride-on lawnmower and a keen gardener. Pick your way through the bottom of the garden and pass below the house. A wooden seat invites you to “tarry a while” whilst affording a cracking view of the river and the hills beyond. In fact, take a good look at the biggest of the distant wooded hills, as this is where you’ll be in about 5 miles time. Locate the stile and kissing gate at the far side of the garden. You now briefly follow the river for about 50 yards to where it meanders L, and your path continues straight ahead along the top of a field to a stile and a road. Point F Turn L at the road and after a few paces keep R through two kissing gates onto a large field (may bear a crop). Bear half L and head for the gate in the distant hedgerow, aiming midway between the house on the L and the clump of trees on the R. Turn L after this gate and then go immediately through the next. Walk down alongside the garden of the house on your L to a wooden gate at the bottom, which leads onto a driveway and down to the road. Go through the gate directly opposite, and head for the dog-friendly stile behind the shed at the bottom of the field. If you’re on track, you should now find the river Clun on your L once more, and you will be ploughing through the lush vegetation on its bank. There soon follows another stile and a natty footbridge, from where you walk parallel to the road and straight across the next field. About ⅔the way across, look out for a small waymark post on your L (may be obscured by nettles), as this directs you to a footbridge over the river Clun. As you leave the bridge, bear half L and walk uphill to the large clump of trees at the top. Pass through the trees and a small wood, before emerging onto the road via a kissing gate. Point G Turn R and walk along the road for about ½ mile as it drops down towards Clungunford. At the bend in the road turn L, signposted Abcott and Twitchen. At this point is Rocke Cottage, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Mon and Tues) for traditional cream teas and light lunches (tel: 01588 660631). Continue up the side road for about ¼ mile, as it curves first L and then goes gently uphill past some houses. Just before the railway bridge turn L into a farmyard. Point H Go over the stile, through a gate, and follow the hedgeline round to your R through another gate and cross over the railway line. Bear half L and head towards the L-hand end of a line of trees in the far hedgerow. Cross the stile and head towards the big hill in front of you. As you approach the lone tree more or less ahead of you, pass the end of a hedge on your R and the path bears half R. Follow the marked path across the field and over a stile. Skirt round the field corner on your R, then follow the hedgeline to a stile, 60 yds past a large tree. Cross two stiles and walk up through a garden, past some polytunnels. Another stile takes you into the neighbouring field and up to a road. Point I Climb up the impressive stone steps opposite, into a sloping meadow. Take a rising traverse up the slope and head for the gap between the two woods above. Good views of the Clun valley and the surrounding hills begin to open up on your L. 22

Go through the gate in the field corner and turn R over the stile at the end of the wood. Head towards the hill opposite, across the sloping field. This brings you to a waymark post and a track, which you follow down to a road. Point J Turn R and walk ½ mile into the village of Hopton Castle (see footnote). You will pass the turn-offs for Bedstone and Twitchen, as well as some lovely old timber-framed houses, before reaching a telephone box. Shortly afterwards are some white railings where the road narrows. Carry on past these and continue for about 80 yards past the houses on your L to a small gate in the hedgerow on your L, opposite the entrance to Upper House Farm. Point K Enter the field and aim for the L-hand of the two gates facing you. Go through this and the next field to a further gate. On your left is the ruin of Hopton Castle, from which the village derives its name (see historical footnote below). You are now faced with a stiff pull up the hill ahead, to a stile in the top L corner by the wood. The stile takes you into Hopton Wood, where you turn L onto a forest track. Point L The track winds its way steadily uphill through the wood for ½ mile, with occasional fine views of the distant hills to your L. Eventually the track levels out and you come to a fork, where you bear L opposite some horrendous bike jumps and start your descent. Stick to this track for another ⅓ mile, ignoring any mountain bike tracks. Watch out for another path joining from the L (by mountain bike sign 32). The path swings R here, and about 150 yards after this junction, turn L by mountain bike sign 36. Follow the grassy path downhill and go through the gate at the bottom. Point M There is no visible path for the next ½ mile, so great care is needed to find the correct route. Walk straight up the hill ahead and down the other side to a gate in the far L corner, just to the R of a large oak tree. Go through the gate and bear half R across the field, towards two gates. Don’t go through the gates, but turn sharp R in front of them and drop down to the corner of the field. Point N Turn R in front of a narrow fenced-off area before the wood, and then walk downhill to the bottom corner of the field. Just before the bottom, enter the enclosure by climbing over a stile on your L, then walk up about 20 yds and cross another stile. Bear half R and drop down towards a large yew tree. Look out for a waymark post where the path splits. Turn L and follow the waymarks steeply downhill. Cross the stream in the valley below. Point O A short boggy stretch leads you to a gate below Pool Cottage and a track up to a road. Turn R and walk 45 yds along the road, to cross a stile in the hedgerow on your L. Go steeply uphill and cross the stile ahead of you. Walk across an undulating field, keeping close to the wire fence on your R, until you can see Mynd Farm on your L. Then bear half L across the field to a stile in the far L corner, close to the farm. Turn L onto a grassy track and follow it a short distance to a road junction, where you turn R. Point P Walk along this road and turn L through two gates in front of a house. Drop down the grassy slope, towards the stile by a lone tree, via a surprise kissing gate. Once over the stile proceed uphill, aiming for another stile to the L of an obvious gate (L of a pink house). A final stile takes you onto a road, and is in line with a large oak tree. Turn L at the road and walk up to the T-junction. Point Q Take the gate ahead of you, and walk down the field with the hedgerow close to your R. Bucknell is laid out before you in the valley below. In the bottom R-hand corner go through a gap, and pass through a wooden gate into the next field. Keeping close to the L-hand edge, walk down this field to a waymarked post. Behind the large oak tree in the corner a short muddy track drops steeply down to a gate, through which you exit onto Dog Kennel Lane. Turn R and follow the road round to a road junction by a telephone box. Turning R again here takes you back to the pub in 350 yards. Hopton Castle – a historical note Dating from the 13th century, it was built by Walter de Hopton, replacing an earlier 11th century bailey. It is notorious for the siege of 1644 during the Civil War. Thirty soldiers led by the Parliamentarian John Moore, held out for three weeks against five hundred soldiers led by the Royalist Sir Michael Woodhouse. Eventually a deal was struck, whereby the castle was surrendered to the Royalists in exchange for the lives of the garrison. However, the victors reneged and every man was cruelly butchered, except for Moore, who was later used to force the surrender of Brampton Bryan castle. Hopton Castle fell into disrepair in the early 18th century and has been the subject of recent preservation, thanks to a lottery grant. A “Time Team” dig in 2009 uncovered various ruins, but failed to find any evidence of a mass grave.

Walk 9 (4¾ miles) River walk to Leintwardine Linear walk - flat, easy route along the rivers Redlake and Teme. Return by bus, or you can walk the same distance back by three possible routes Point A – Point C Start as for walk 5a. On reaching point C, walk up the road for about ½ mile. Point D Just past a small wood on your L a fingerpost directs you through a gate, then half R across a field and just to the L of a group of trees. Keep straight on past a waymarked post at a field corner and follow the hedge on your L to a gap. Bear slightly R across the next field, then follow the hedge on your R through two gates to a track. Turn L and then immediately R through a gate, and cross the field keeping close to the hedge on your R. You exit onto a road (at a bend), where you turn R and walk through the village of Buckton. Keep L at the fork, cross the leat of an old water mill, and carry on until you reach the river Teme. Cross the bridge and turn L over a stile.

Point E Shortly afterwards you pass through a gate and enter a large field. Keep close to the river bank through this and the next field. The Teme is rich in wildlife including otters, trout and salmon, and many different bird species can also be seen. At a gate bear half R and cut off the next meander of the river – Leintwardine church beckons to your L. Your route now brings you close to the hedge by the road, which you follow for the remaining ½ mile into Leintwardine. Leave the field by a stile and you will find the bus stop next to a convenient seat on the far side of the bridge. Local Information Bus 740 - leaves for Bucknell at 1.08, 4.13 and 6.08 p.m., Mon-Sat (check with timetable at bus stop). Leintwardine - is the site of the ancient roman fort of Branogenium. The church is worth a visit in its own right and to see one of the oldest church clocks in the country (early 16th century). It boasts a new misericord dedicated to Flossie Lane (see below). It is reached by walking up the main street and taking the first turning on the R. Refreshments - available at the garage shop, Lion Hotel (01547 540203) and the Sun Inn (01547 540705). The Sun Inn - is one of the few remaining “classic” pubs in the UK. It was run as a parlour pub by the landlady Flossie Lane for 74 years, where you could enjoy a local pint of beer in her cosy front room by an open fire, whilst munching fish and chips from the shop next door. Following her death in 2009 it was bought jointly by the owners of Hobson’s Brewery and the fish and chip shop and sympathetically extended. The original front parlour with its fish and chip experience has been retained. A real time-warp pub that has been saved for future generations to enjoy. Not to be missed. Sun Inn opening times - 7 days a week from 11 a.m. (17.30 on Monday) Fish and Chip shop opening times - 5.30-8.30 p.m. Tues-Thurs, and 5.00-8.30 p.m. Fri & Sat (tel. 01547 540610 as times may change) Return to Bucknell You can either catch the bus or walk back by one of three routes (all about 4 miles). Firstly, you can retrace Walk 9 along the rivers Teme and Redlake. If you fancy something different, then walk along Mill Lane (between the garage and the Post Office) for ¼ mile and cross the bridge over the river Clun. You are now at point G on Walk 5b, which you can either reverse or continue. 24

Walk 10 (9½ miles) Hilltop walk from Knighton to Bucknell

Linear walk - starts with a steep climb out of Knighton then a hilltop walk to Bucknell (for stunning panoramic views of South Shropshire, this is the walk to do on a fine day) Turn L out of the pub and follow the road through the village to the level crossing. The bus stop is just past the school, alongside the station. Take the bus (15 min) or the train (10 min) to Knighton. Check the timetables – the most convenient times are shown below. 740 bus (738 on Thurs) leaves at 9.16 a.m., 1.26 p.m. and 4.31 p.m. Mon-Sat Train leaves at 9.47 a.m. and 2.49 p.m. Mon-Sat, and 12.49 p.m. Sun From the bus stop in Knighton - with your back to the car park, head R down the road to T-junction. Turn R and then almost immediately take the turning L. From the train station in Knighton - go through the car park, turn L onto the road and walk 140 yds into town to first turning on R (blue route). Walk up past the Bowling Club, straight on at the junction and past the church. Turn R after the church and then L into Offa’s Way. Follow the road for 240 yds as it winds its way to a car park. Take the footpath ahead alongside the river Teme. After 180 yds Offa’s Dyke path joins from the L and you re-enter Shropshire! The path goes through three gates and a meadow, before crossing the river and the railway to emerge at a road. Point A I’m afraid there is no easy way up the hill opposite, but take consolation from the fact that this is the only significant hill on the walk. Beyond the next gate the path appears to split, but all routes meet up where the hillside opens out. Climb up a wide grassy track past two fingerposts, where the track gets narrower and stony and leads up to a T-junction. 25

Point B Turn L here, following Offa’s Dyke (indicated by the acorn sign) as it climbs more gently through gorse and bracken to reach a high level path at a small cairn. Stay on this path as it undulates for 1¼ miles, soaking up the views of the meandering river Teme as it separates England from Wales. On the far side you can see the village of Knucklas, with the viaduct that takes the Heart of Wales railway line to Swansea. On the skyline to your L is the forbidding outline of Black Mixen, whilst further up the valley is the rounded shape of Beacon Hill. Offa’s Dyke is particularly prominent along this stretch and is a favourite haunt of badgers. Shortly after passing a ramshackle barn you go through a gate onto a cross track, where you turn R. Point C Follow this track through two gates, then stick close to the fence on your R and go past a small wood. When the fenceline swings R you carry straight on, aiming for the trees to the R of the house. Where the trees end and the hedgerow begins is a field corner and a gate, leading to a short grassy path and a road. You are now facing Five Turnings Farm. Point D Take the byway opposite. After 350 yds go through a gate, where the road becomes a rutted track, which you follow for ¼ mile. Keep a sharp lookout for a waymarked gate on your R, which can be obscured by undergrowth in the summer. Point E Bear half L through the gate and cross the field to another waymarked gate by a small stream (dry in summer, boggy in winter). Go straight through this gate and up the hill opposite (no clear path). Make your way up to the topmost point of the hill. Here, a waymarked post guides to you a gap in the far hedgerow and a double stile (obscured by bracken in summer). Maintaining your direction proceed across four fields and stiles, at which point you should see another stile on the horizon. Cross this stile and head across the middle of the next field; at the top you are treated to a glorious view of the Teme valley once more. In the far corner of the field are a number of gates. Point F Take the L gate and head for the obvious gap in the trees on the skyline above, passing through two more gates and crossing the top of a wooded valley. On the southern horizon is the distant Hay Bluff, whilst far off to the south-east are the Malvern Hills. As you approach the gap in the trees you now begin to get views of the Shropshire hills to the north, the most prominent being Corndon hill. Take a moment to look back at the wonderful panorama of the Welsh hills behind you! The path goes through the trees (about 30 yds to the R of the gap) to a stile. Bear half L and go across the next field to another stile, then head for the R-hand side of the gap between the two woods on the horizon. Where the fence meets the wood is a gate. Go through the gate for 50 yds, then swing R at the corner of the wood and pass through a gap just to the L of the trees ahead. To your L is the trig point marking the summit of the hill. Point H

Another fantastic panorama now greets you, stretching from the Long Mynd and Stretton Hills in the north to the Clee Hills in the east, and the Teme valley ahead. Continue descending along a faint farm track, through gaps in the next two fences, before heading for the gate at the bottom corner of the wood on your L. This leads you down a stony track which bends R in a deciduous wood. Point I Turn L at the waymarked post and pick your way down through the wood to a fence. Turn L again and follow along by the fence on your R, down a sunken lane and through a gate. You are now on the principal farm track which leads you down to Weston. Take care to follow the waymarked route around the bottom field leading to the farm buildings. Point J Before the farmyard go through the kissing gate and down some steep steps. Turn L onto the lane and follow it up through a gate to an open field, where the lane turns into an obvious farm track. This curves L gently uphill. Keep R at the fork and drop down slightly to meet a small stream. Cross the stream into the next field and take the stile 100 yds to your R. You are now entering Cwm Cottage Reserve (see footnote below). Point K Turn R at the building (a bat roost), cross the stile then walk up and turn R onto the forest track above. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about 1 mile from here to the bottom of the wood. Continue along this track, ignoring a path on your R, as it rises to meet another track. Turn R again and follow this road gently down through the wood, where the policy is to replace the fir trees with native deciduous species. Near the bottom the road bends L, but you carry straight on over a muddy ramp to join the path below. Point L Turn L and keep on this path for Âź mile, when you come to a road. Go across and down the path opposite. You then rejoin the road and follow it down to Chapel Lawn road in Bucknell at a bend, where you carry straight on to return to the pub. Footnote: The reserve contains one of a number of buildings owned by the Vincent Wildlife Trust, whose aim is to protect endangered mammals in the UK (e.g. otter, dormouse, polecat, pine marten and bats). The cottage here is a summer roost for Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats. Even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see them, please remember they are very sensitive to any disturbance.

Bucknell is just off the A4113 Ludlow to Knighton Road. 6 miles east of Knighton. 12 miles west of Ludlow. Opening hours Monday to Thursday 6:00pm-10:30pm Friday 12:00 noon-3:00pm & 6:00-11:00pm Saturday 12 noon–11:00pm Sunday 12:00 noon–6:00pm. Bank holidays 12:00 – 11:00pm Food is served Monday to Saturday evenings 6:00 – 8:30pm & Friday to Sunday Lunchtimes 12:00 – 2:30pm Monday to Thursday Lunchtimes Available for group bookings (10 or more) by pre-arrangement

Baron at Bucknell Bucknell Shropshire SY7 0AH Tel: 01547 530549 www.baronatbucknell.co.uk