Shropshire's Great Outdoors

Church Stretton Circular Walk 6 – Cwms Circuit

A 6 mile easy walk with wonderful views of Caer Caradoc and Hope Bowdler Hill

The walk begins in the picturesque market town of Church Stretton, located in the heart of the Shropshire Hills. To the West lies the Long Mynd, a heathland rich in wildlife, while to the East is a striking ridge of hills formed from volcanic lava and ash around 570 million years ago. This area is internationally renowned for its geology and is home to some of the oldest rock formations on Earth. 

This lengthy but easy walk is in the East of the valley and provides delightful views of Caer Caradoc & Hope Bowdler Hill. As you return to town there are stunning views of Church Stretton nestled below the Long Mynd. In the town centre, you’ll find a variety of independent shops, cafés, restaurants, and pubs, many of which date back to the Edwardian period. 

Bus service: 435 Shrewsbury to Ludlow 

Nearest Train station:   Church Stretton

Walk directions

  1. Step 1

    With the square on your left go along the High Street and turn right into Sandford Avenue. Follow this road all the way to the traffic lights by the A49. Cross over and take the first left into Watling Street North. 

  2. Step 2

    As the road bends to the right, just before the Helmeth Road sign, go left up Cwms Lane which is a tarmac farm road, signposted “Caer Caradoc”. Follow the road to a cattle grid just past a house called Eastwood. Go through the kissing gate on the right and proceed up the field keeping hedge on your right. 

  3. Step 3

    At the far corner of the field the track bears right towards a farm gate /kissing gate Pools are on your left. Go through the gate, keep on the path, cross over the ford and keep climbing until you pass through a gate. Caer Caradoc is on your left. Eventually you reach another gate.  

  4. Step 4

    Keep ahead until you see the buildings of Willstone Farm. Just before the tarmac road turn right and over stileIgnore second stile and follow faint farm track slightly right, initially with fence to the left and then into open field. 

  5. Step 5

    Look out for pedestrian gate to the left and footbridge. Take this route and go through further gate to climb up field bearing to the right to reach the right-hand corner of the field. Go through gate and turn right to meet a junction of paths with a signpost.  

  6. Step 6

    Bear left and then almost immediately right at the signpost. Generally, now keep hedge on your right. This path takes you back along the valley with Hope Bowdler Hill on your leftOn reaching a crossing of paths ignore a gate on your right but bear left for 5m and then immediately right to continue walking along the side of the valley. 

  7. Step 7

    Keep on this path for 900m until you reach a gate on your right by Cwms Farm cottage. Go through the gate and bear left to reach farm road. Go through the next gate. Continue on track and bear to the left to go through further gate. 

  8. Step 8

    Drop down track passing by Gaerstones farm to reach the main road (you pass a vending hut with picnic benches here). Cross over main road and go down Hazler Road and back to town.

Route leaflet

PDF information may be outdated

This route leaflet may not include recent changes. Some pubs or cafes listed might have altered or closed. For the latest route details, please consult this webpage.

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