A 4.5 mile circular walk from Myddle church down lanes and across fields affording views of Myddle Hill, Jolloway Hill, Harmer Hill and Pimhill and taking in the sandstone outcrop and cave of Goblin Hole. On this walk you will also see the remains of Myddle Castle, once home to the infamous Highwayman Humphrey Kynaston.
To see a video of a step by step guide to this walk please follow this link.
Richard Gough
Richard Gough was a yeoman farmer who lived in the Shropshire village of Myddle in the 17 and 18th Centuries and left his mark on the world by writing about his Parish and the people that lived in it. His book was written in two parts, the first part, entitled Antiquities and Memoyres of the Parish of Myddle and the second, Observations concerning the Seates in Myddle and the Families to which they belong. The book is incredibly unique and arguably one of the most valuable sources for social studies of the 17th and early 18th centuries.
Myddle
Originally a Saxon settlement, the village of Myddle lies in a hollow, just off the main Shrewsbury to Ellesmere road, 10 miles north of Shrewsbury. Although famous for its resident Richard Gough, Myddle was also the home of its infamous son Highwayman Humphrey Kynaston.
Humphrey Kynaston
‘Wild’ Humphrey Kynaston, was an English highwayman who operated in the Shropshire area. The son of the High Sheriff of Shropshire, he was convicted of murder in 1491. After being outlawed, he moved into a cave in the area and lived a ‘Ronin Hood’ lifestyle.
Myddle Castle
Myddle Castle was built around 1307 as a home for Lord L’estrange of Knockin. The castle passed from the L’estranges to the Derbys who placed castellans or caretakers there while they lived elsewhere. Humphrey Kynaston, the last custodian, allowed his personal debts to mount so high that he had to flee the area. The castle was abandoned and soon began to deteriorate. All that remains today is a stair turret at the north east corner, where parts of former window and door frames can be seen. The rectangular outline of the castle is still visible on the ground, and part of the moat remains. The castle is sited on land owned by Castle Farm, but can be seen from the main road through Myddle, and from public footpaths around the farm. There is no access to the Castle itself.
St Peter’s Church, Myddle
One of the oldest buildings in the village, it is thought to have had Saxon origins and it is mentioned in the Domesday Book. There is apparently evidence of some Norman walling in the tower.