One of four cycle rides into the countryside around Shrewsbury, following quiet lanes and bridleways, from 10 – 29 miles (16 – 46 km).
Shrewsbury is a very attractive historic market town nestled in a loop of the River Severn. The town centre has a largely unaltered medieval street plan and features several timber framed 15th and 16th century buildings.
The town was founded around 800AD and has played a significant role in British history, having been the site of many conflicts, particularly between the English and the Welsh. William the Conqueror gave the town to Roger de Montgomery who founded Shrewsbury Castle in 1074 and Shrewsbury Abbey in 1083. Both these historic buildings can be visited by the public.
Shrewsbury was also the birthplace of naturalist Charles Darwin, one of the most influential scientists of the nineteenth century. He was educated at the famous Shrewsbury School, which was also attended by Michael Palin and DJ John Peel.
Nowadays, Shrewsbury is famous as a ‘town of flowers’. The town hosts one of the oldest and largest horticultural events in the country, Shrewsbury Flower Show, and is known for its floral displays.
Shrewsbury is a lively town with frequent markets and street fairs and festivals. There are plenty of wonderful places to eat and stay, as well as some great shops. There are also some beautiful, peaceful green places to explore such as the town’s stunning Quarry Park, the River Severn path and the Reabrook Valley Nature Reserve.
An elegant Grade I listed three storey Elizabethan sandstone building, described as the grandest manor house in Shropshire. American writer Mark Twain stayed here in 1873 and 1879. It was used as a residential school between 1979-2009.
A magnificent Tudor hall with a Grade II listed orangery, Roman remains and a 300 year-old tree house. It is one of the oldest treehouses in the world, and even boasts an oak floor and gothic windows. (The hall is not open to the public).
Acton Burnell Castle is a ruin of a fortified manor house built in the 13th century (1284) by Robert Burnell, a powerful landowner and friend of King Edward I. It was built of red sandstone and is one of the oldest remains of its type in the country.
About ½ a mile past the bridge you will see the entrance to Venus Pool Nature Reserve on the right. This site, owned and managed by Shropshire Ornithological Society, is well worth a visit – particularly if you have some binoculars with you! There are several hides – 3 for public use.
Start at Shrewsbury Abbey. Follow directions in route 2,
points 6 to 14 to leave Shrewsbury.
Continue until you reach a fork in the road, at this point bear left
signed to Berrington. Continue straight on at next crossroads signed
Berrington past the entrance to Berrington Hall on left. Turn right at T
junction into and through hamlet of Berrington. (Take care – narrow
road with a poor surface).
Continue straight on at crossroads signed Boreton and Condover and continue ignoring the left to farm. Take the right fork to Boreton Ford. Use the footbridge to cross the ford. Turn left at T
junction to Condover.
In Condover turn left at T junction signed Frodesley and, after
crossing bridge, left again signed Cantlop. Continue straight on to
Cantlop crossroads.
Turn right at crossroads signed Pitchford. After 1 mile, Pitchford Hall
can be seen on the right. Continue through Pitchford to Acton Burnell.
Turn left at the crossroads at the top of the rise, continue for a
short distance to Acton Burnell Church and Castle. Retrace your
steps back to the crossroads and turn right to return to junction at
edge of village.
Turn right signed Kenley
Take the next left signed Acton Pigott. Continue through the hamlet
Bear left signed Cound. Continue past Golding on left and don hill to Upper Cound.
C Turn left at T junction signed Berrington. Turn right at next
T junction signed Cross Houses.
Turn left at the T junction onto A458 towards Cross Houses for a
very short distance and take next left again to Berrington passing the
church on your right.
Turn right at grass triangle in Berrington (there is no sign here)
to rejoin outward route. Take the next left signed Betton Abbots
retracing your route to Shrewsbury
