Ditton Priors Walk 9

1. Starting from Middleton Priors take the lane almost opposite Middleton Lodge which is known as Sandy Lane. Middleton Lodge was originally a manor house, the centre of a Catholic enclave. After about 500 metres, ats a point where the lane bears right, take the stoned track which goes straight ahead and soon emerges into a field. Continuing with the hedge to your right, at the bottom right hand corner of the field descend to the right to cross a footbridge and then aim for the gate at the bottom right of this field giving access to the Ditton Priors -Monkhopton road.

2. Cross the road with care and take the track opposite leading past Derrington Farm to Derrington Manor Farm, another very old manor house. When you pass the farmhouse on the left go straight on through a gateway between a barn conversion and farm buildings. After leaving these behind, continue in a more or less straight line with the hedge on your left. Cross a stile and a sleeper bridge, then almost immediately go through a gap in the hedge, then follow the right hand hedge to a gate at the end of the field. Go through this gate, tallow the track to pass through a further gate on your left, and then go to the right along the edge of the field for about 150 metres. Look for a waymarker on your right. This will direct you to go diagonally left to a gate in the opposite corner of the field. Continue along the left hand hedge to a gate.

3. Go through the gate and. keeping to the hedgerow for about 200 metres (look out for a waymarked post), then go diagonally right towards some trees, following the marked path with care. When you reach the trees the path bears right, leading through the trees and across pasture to a stile which you should cross into a very large field. It is important to take your heading from the waymark arrow on the stile as you cannot see the other side of the field. You should then, after crossing the field, emerge through a gateway onto a lane at the top of Weston Bank. Pause to admire the fine views westwards over the Corvedale towards Wenlock Edge, and note the old water tower on the brow of the hill.

4. Turn right along the lane to the T-Junction at Upper Netchwood and then turn left, proceeding for 100 metres to a stone track on your right. Take this track (much of this area was once common land), carefully following the bridleway waymarks, to emerge at the Methodist Chapel at Lower Netchwood. Take the lane to the left for about 100 metres and then turn into the stoned track on the right, looking out for a path on the right in about a further 100 metres. Cross the stile into a field and then, keeping the hedgerow on the left, continue over 2 stiles. As you follow the hedgerow over the third field look for a stile on your left. Do not cross it but here go right across the field bringing you to a gate.

5. Pass through, and keeping the hedgerow on your left, go on through a further gate and, still with the hedge on your left, continue till you pass through another gate. Go 45 degrees left to the edge of the field where the path follows the line of an ancient holloway down to North Farm.

6. At the bottom left hand corner of the field go down a bank to the left and follow the way marked route over 3 stiles to emerge on to a lane. Go left for 150 metres, ignoring the left hand turn towards Lightwood and Bridgnorth. Continue towards Middleton Priors and turn right to arrive back at your starting point.