A moderate 5.5 mile circular walk from Myddle, taking in Newton-on-the-hill, Alderton and Balderton. The walk takes in views of Myddle Castle, once the haunt of infamous highwayman Humphry Kynaston.
For a step by step video of this route please click on 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 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 the infamous highwayman, Humphrey Kynaston.
Humphrey Kynaston
‘Wild’ Humphrey Kynaston, who dies in 1534, 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 ‘Robin 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 in while they lived elsewhere. The last of these, Humphrey Kynaston, allowed his personal debts to mount so high that he had to flee the area. The abandoned castle soo 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 direct access to the Castle itself.