Bishop’s Castle Cycle Rides: The Clun Challenge (17 miles)

Ride directions

1. Step 1

   Turn right out of the leisure centre and go straight across the junction with the A488 signed Lydbury North.

2. Step 2

   Turn right off the B-road signed Brockton and Bury Ditches Hill Fort.

3. Step 3

   Follow the road as it passes through Brockton, ignoring roads off to the left and right. 

4. Step 4

   As the road leaves Brockton it bends to the left and passes Shropshire Highland Seeds on the right. The road then starts to climb passing through Lower Down.

5. Step 5

   Turn right off the main road into the Forestry Commission Bury Ditches woodland, following the wooden fingerpost for the Jack Mytton Way and passing cycle parking stands on the left and picnic tables on the right.

    

   The forestry track is good quality and acceptable for most bicycles, but for a road route alternative, stay on the tarmac road and carry straight on, drop down to Clunton and turn right at the unsigned T-junction with B4348 opposite the Crown Inn. Then stay on the B-road and rejoin the main route in Clun.

6. Step 6

   Take the left fork down a minor, narrower track signed the Jack Mytton Way.

7. Step 7

   Follow the main track round to the right, passing a house on the right. Then follow the track round to the left as it becomes tarmac after which it then passes farm buildings on the right.

8. Step 8

   On entering Clun, pass the Memorial Hall car park on the right, follow the road round to the right and turn left into Ford Street.

9. Step 9

   Then turn right at the unsigned T-junction with the main road.

10. Step 10

    At the next junction carry straight on signed Bishop’s Castle, passing the White Horse Pub on the right.

11. Step 11

    Take the first left off the A-road, just after the road narrow warning sign.

12. Step 12

    Entering Bicton, ignore a left to Whitcott Keysett and carry straight on signed Bishop’s Castle. Shortly afterwards, turn left signed Mainstone.

13. Step 13

    Go straight over the crossroads signed Mainstone and continue on the road ignoring a left to Middle Knuck.

14. Step 14

    At the T-junction opposite the gates and Shropshire Way finger post, turn left.

15. Step 15

    Ignore a left signed Lower Edenhope and carry straight on signed Bishop’s Castle.

16. Step 16

    Carry on, signed Bishop’s Castle ignoring the right to Cefn Einion.

17. Step 17

    At this four-way junction bear right signed Bishop’s Castle.

18. Step 18

    Ignore the left that goes back on yourself signed Upper Broughton and carry on down hill signed Bishop’s Castle.

19. Step 19

    At this T-junction in Bishop’s Castle turn right signed Town Centre. Then ignore the first left (Castle Street) and carry straight on.

20. Step 20

    At the T-junction (opposite Yarborough House Coffee Shop) turn right into the High Street and down a steep drop. Carry straight on at the bottom of the hill until you reach the Six Bells Inn, then retrace your route back to the leisure centre.