One of four 6-24 miles cycle rides around Market Drayton following quiet lanes and country roads.
A market (so good the town was named after it) has been running in Market Drayton for over 759 years and remains one of the liveliest weekly street markets in the area. Market Drayton is also the home of gingerbread, however, the locals prefer to dunk it in port rather than eat it dry – which may explain why a certain Robert Clive – better known as Clive of India, who was born in Market Drayton – chose to climb the spire of St Mary’s church when he was a boy. The town itself retains much of its medieval street pattern with red sandstone and mellow brick buildings mingling with black and white half-timbered properties; and to add even more character to the town, the Shropshire Union Canal passes just a few hundred yards from the town centre. For more information visit: www.market-drayton.com/InDevelopment/
A traditional estate village with a grand hall and large sandstone church. Coal Brook Valley has a wonderful lake and marsh area teeming with bird life.
Cycle through the deep sandstone cutting and you come out into Jackson’s Coppice and marsh Nature Reserve. The marshland has been created by the presence of two watermills. The dam for the Walkmill dates from 1250. Further on you come to Cop Mere, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The local meres were formed at the end of the last Ice Age.
Cheswardine is renowned for its floral displays and has been voted one of England’s prettiest villages. The church is well worth a visit; it has a beautiful interior and has displays of art depicting previous churches on the site, dating back to the 11th Century. Next to the church is a moated motte, the last remains of a castle built by the Le Strange family in 1160.
Cycle out of Market Drayton on Berrisford Road. Go under the canal aqueduct and follow the road to the right. Continue to the next T-junction
At the T-junction turn left and the follow the road downhill over the bridge, past the quarry on the right and uphill to Almington
In Almington turn right signposted Hales and Chipnall. Follow the road uphill to Hales
In Hales cycle past the church and go straight on downhill into the Coal Brook Valley and up a steep hill to Chipnall
At Chipnall turn left at the telephone box signposted Chipnall Lees and follow the road to Lipley
At Lipley turn right signposted Doley and Eccleshall
At the crossroads turn left signposted Eccleshall. After 100 metres turn left again signposted Stone and Eccleshall and follow the road to Bishops Offley
In Bishops Offley turn left at the crossroads signposted Croxton and Wetwood. Go down a steep hill through a dramatic sandstone cutting and turn first right (unsigned) and follow the road to the next T-junction. Turn right, go past the millpond to another T-junction.
Cycle through the deep sandstone cutting and you come out into Jackson’s Coppice and marsh Nature Reserve. The marshland has been created by the presence of two watermills. The dam for the Walkmill dates from 1250. Further on you come to Cop Mere, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The local meres were formed at the end of the last Ice Age.
To visit Cop Mere, turn left and follow the road to the Star Inn. To continue along the main route turn right onto the main road towards Bishops Offley. In Bishops Offley turn left towards Shebdon and Newport
Turn first right (after 1⁄2 mile) and turn left at the next T-junction and follow the road to Adbaston
In Adbaston turn first right signposted Cheswardine and right again past the Church
After about 2 miles fork left to Soudley. At the next T-junction turn left down Marsh meadow, go past Robin Hood Farm and into Soudley
At the T-junction turn right and follow the road into Cheswardine
In Cheswardine, turn right at the church signposted Chipnall
Turn left at the next T-junction by Cheswardine Hall
Just before Chipnall turn left signposted Market Drayton, Almington and Route 552 (great views)
Follow the road round to the right at Old Springs following cycle route 552. Turn next left to Peatswood and return to Market Drayton on Berrisford Road.
Just past Old Springs Farm fork left to Tyrley Wharf and Locks (signposted Tyrley). Join the towpath at Bridge no. 60 and return to Market Drayton along the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal.
