A 7 mile walk through woodland and meadows, and past relics of industry.

Walking with Offa 14: Forests & Industry Around Pontesbury image

Distance

7.0 miles

Terrain

Hilly with some steep climbs

Start from

The Horshoes Inn

Nearest to

Pontesbury

Parking

Pontesbury

Map reference

Lat/Long: 52.649006722, -2.8983881286

OS: SJ39361

The route

A 7 mile walk up through woodland and forest, past relics of industry and gently back along meadows beside Minsterley Brook. The walk takes 3½ to 4½ hours.

From Pontesbury, you will climb up to Poles Coppice, famous for its geology and quarrying history. Then on to Eastridge Woods which leads to the historic mining centre at Snailbeach. The route then drops down to Minsterley village and back to Pontesbury.

The route

A 7 mile walk up through woodland and forest, past relics of industry and gently back along meadows beside Minsterley Brook. The walk takes 3½ to 4½ hours.

From Pontesbury, you will climb up to Poles Coppice, famous for its geology and quarrying history. Then on to Eastridge Woods which leads to the historic mining centre at Snailbeach. The route then drops down to Minsterley village and back to Pontesbury.

Poles Coppice

This is a Countryside Heritage site managed by Shropshire Council. There are numerous abandoned quarries which are geologically interesting and also support some rare wildlife such as orchids.

Snailbeach

This site was once one of the Country’s largest producers of lead and Bauxite. There are extensive mining buildings on the site and the Shropshire Mines Trust regularly runs open days and underground trips. Please check www.shropshiremines.org.uk for details of opening dates.

Minsterley & Pontesbury

The two settlements of Pontesbury and Minsterley offer opportunities for rest and recuperation. There are a variety of pubs and shops to visit in both villages.