Wistanstow to Clun

On the walk to Clun, ‘the quietest place under the sun’. Or so A.E. Housman thought in his poem, ‘A Shropshire Lad’. Perhaps not on Saturday 8 September 2007, with walkers a plenty and firemen washing vehicles.

The imposing black and white village hall - the gift in 1925 of local landowner Mrs Harriet Greene from the Grove Estate

The first track (looking south-west) heading towards the ruined Upper Barn




Looking west along Ridgway Hill. Plowden Woods to the right




Skirting Stoke Wood and looking south to Burrow Hill and its hidden hill fort



Heading down towards the village of Kempton

A woodland path on Clunton Hill



Heading towards Clunton and Sowdley Wood beyond

Approaching Clun from the south

All photographs copyright: John Clarke

Clun to Bishop's Castle

And so to Bishop's Castle - home to one of the few remaining one-handed clocks in the country and the famous Michaelmas Fair.

Down the woodland path towards Brookbatch

A slither of sun on Sunny Hill

This view looking south-east is taken from the footpath that skirts Blakeridge Wood. The buildings just right of centre are at Acton through which you passed.

View looking east towards Brockton and Lybury North

The dark woodland in the far distance to the right, is Short Wood - you'll perhaps remember the walk through the bracken on the way to Kempton.

If you see this waymarker, you're following the Shropshire Way

All photographs copyright: John Clarke

Bishop's Castle to Wistanstow

Now on the homeward stretch. A couple of woods and some great hill top views to enjoy - that's your reward for the climbing!

Leaving Bishop's Castle for Oakeley Wood

On Oakeley Mynd looking north-west towards Corndon & Roundton Hills


Still on Oakeley Mynd, north towards Linley Hall and Norbury


Dropping down towards a hidden Totterton

This view is east along the valley of the Onny. The dark expanse of Plowden Woods in the middle distance with Ridgway Hill just beyond.

The southern end of the Long Mynd from Ridgway Hill


Familiar to Long Mynd Hike walkers - the Ragleth and Caer Caradoc


Walkers sometimes need a hand - the wood above Glenburrell

The village of Wistanstow beckons

All photographs copyright: John Clarke

It's about £600!

We are delighted to advise that around £600 is set to be divided between the two beneficiaries: Wistanstow C of E Primary School and the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.

To all those involved – give yourselves a pat on the back.

The next few posts will contain photographs to remind you of the walk.

See you all in 2008!

In Appreciation

You entered, you came, and you walked/ran.

Thanks to all those who participated and to the small dedicated team of volunteers who supported the event.

A number of local businesses also deserve our thanks:

County Tiles - website
Corve Street, Ludlow

Wenlock Spring Water - website
Wolverton, Church Stretton

Montgomeryshire Natural Spring Water Co - website
Crosslikey Supermarket, Churchstoke

The Wood Brewery Ltd - website
Wistanstow

Pugh's Butchers
Craven Centre, Craven Arms



A special mention to the following websites:

Shropshire Fell Running (where you'll find the results online)

Long Mynd Hike