Local Area Info

                        

Just a cut and paste from the local tourist information website for the time being!

Bishops’s Castle

Is a small town built on a south-facing hill, with a population of around 1500. Centred on the High and Church streets, which climb from the parish Church. You can admire the Town Hall and many other historic buildings and the unusual Elizabethan House on Crutches, which is supported by wooden posts over a cobbled alley.

There are two museums celebrating local history and the railway. Lots of lovely traditional shops, butchers, grocers, ironmongers, as well as bookshops, handmade furniture and art galleries line the main street.

The number of pubs reminds us that Bishop's Castle was once drovers town - a watering hole for both them and their cattle on their way to market. With two breweries, many eating places and a lively events calendar - it is worth a visit.

 

Bury Ditches and Colstey Woods

A well preserved Iron Age hill fort at the summit of Forestry Commission woodland. There are marvellous, panoramic views over the surrounding countryside, a picnic area and car park. Shell fossils abound in the stones around the fort. Graded walks and a nature trail give visitors the opportunity to see the woodland and its wildlife.

From Newcastle take B4368 to Clun and then towards Craven Arms. At Clunton turn left and at the top of a rise is a clearing on the right for car parking. Walk up the path (not the forest road) and at the top climb over the gate. On leaving turn right and follow the road to Clunton (turning right again to Clun).

Offa's Dyke

The ancient ditch and dyke which once formed the England/Wales border runs a few miles to the west of Bishop's Castle and this stretch contains some of the best preserved examples of the original earthwork. Many serious walkers do the whole length  - a holiday in itself  -  but it is well worth walking short sections.

Directions: From Bishop's Castle go along Welsh Street (left past the Town Hall) and follow the road, the Kerry Ridgeway, past Bishop's Moat and the Dog and Duck cottage until you see sign posts for the path. Alternatively, at Bishop's Moat take the turn for Mainstone and, in the village, turn right for Church Town. The path crosses the lane by Mainstone Church. Walking right (north) gives superb views over the Camlad valley. Walking left (south) leads over moorland and farmed upland to the valley of the River Unk.

Alternatively from Newcastle-on-Clun take the B4368 towards Clun and about a mile from the village the Dyke crosses the river and the road.left (south) leads over moorland and farmed upland to the valley of the River Unk.

      

     

     Alternatively from  Newcastle-on-Clun take the B4368 towards Clun and about a mile from

      the village the Dyke crosses the river and the road.

     

 

The Kerry Ridgeway

Directions: Leaving The Curney turn left and follow the tarmac road for a couple of miles until you come to a T junction and an unmade section of  road. This is part of the Kerry Ridgeway; best idea is to turn left along the unmade road for a few hundred yards to a crossroads where tarmac road  recommences. Straight over the crossroads for about half mile where there are some breathtaking views to the right.

     

 

The Cantlin Stone and the Botfield Cross

Off the Kerry Ridgeway, in the heart of the Clun Forest (OS 20.2/86.9) marks the spot where a local peddler, William Cantlin, was robbed and murdered while walking between farms in 1691. The body was taken by the parishioners of Bettws-y-Crwyn and buried in their churchyard and later this act of kindness was used in the argument over the boundary of the parish. Later, in 1858, a local landowner and M.P. named Botfield erected a limestone cross at the spot.

Directions: From Newcastle-on-Clun, turn left and follow the B4368 for about three miles to the former Anchor Inn then turn right up Sarn road for about half a mile until you reach the crossroads then turn right into the forest, follow the road for about half a mile. The Cantlin Stone is on the right

     

     

 

Mitchells Fold

Ancient stone circle with good views towards the Welsh hills. The Stapeley Hills Historic Trails, 50p, also takes in the Holy Well and Hoarstone Stone Circle.

Directions: From Bishop's Castle take A488 towards Shrewsbury and turn left at the signpost just before the More Arms Inn. Follow the English Heritage signs. Park in the car park and walk up through the gate.

Long Mynd

The dramatic hogs back hill which lies between Bishop's Castle and Church Stretton, its steep escarpment facing west towards the former It is the most southerly moor of its type in England, and has completely breathtaking views. The Portway, a pre?historic trackway, runs along its ridge and many public footpaths give access.

Directions: Accessible by Shuttle Bus. From Bishop's Castle turn left for Wentnor off the A489 (Craven Arms road) and before the village turn right to Asterton. Turn right at the junction and immediately left up the steep slope. At the top is the Midland Gliding Club and gliders and hang gliders can be seen when the weather is suitable. Alternatively, past the Green Caravan Park at Wentnor and follow the road to Bridges, turn right over the Mynd to Church Stretton

Stiperstones

This three mile long outcrop of quartzite, a National Nature Reserve, gives a harsh landscape different to other Shropshire hills and there are many legends ? the Devil is reputed to hold court here, hence the rock outcrop called the Devil's Chair. Its mineral wealth has been exploited since Roman times and discarded shafts and abandoned engine houses can still be seen today (see What to do). The views are breathtaking and there are many public footpaths. The Stiperstones Inn is a good place to start and maps are available at the Inn and nearby post office. This is Mary Webb country: the setting for her novels "The Golden Arrow and "Gone to Earth" (See places to visit). It features in The Ghostly Shropshire Car Trails.

Directions: Accessible by Shuttle Bus. From Bishop's Castle. Perhaps the most scenic drive is to go through Lydham (on the Shrewsbury Road), take the turning right towards More Farm, turn right and left at Linley. At the top of the climb take the right fork towards Cold Hill, turn left at the junction and right at the next junction. The car park is on the left at grid ref 97.8N, 37.OW on OS map. Walk up the rocky path to the outcrops (best views). Go back via Bridges and Wentnor or to Shelve and the main A488 77

Clun

The charming town in miniature of Clun lies in a stunningly beautiful valley in the Clun Forest. The Forest is however largely treeless - presumably to confuse the visitor. Clun was buily around a 14th Century packhorse bridge with alcoves for pedestrians to avoid being run over. "twill sharpen your wits to cross Clun bridge"

On an earlier Motte and Bailey site the atmospheric ruins of the Norman Clun Castle rises above the town. The Trinity Hospital and Almshouses are Jacobean with 2 quadrangles. Built in 1614 to provide "charitable accommodation to 12 men of good character" - still does so today. Very peaceful, very pretty and walks galore with Offa's Dyke, Caer Caradoc and Bury Ditches Hill forts nearby. The Clun Green Man Day where The Green Man and Mr Frosty battle for supremacy takes place in Clun each year.