Shropshire Hills Cycle Rides 2, Route 2: Bury Ditches Dynamo

Ride directions

1. Step 1

   The ride starts at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. Turn right out of the carpark and take the second left along Newton Street to the Corvedale Road. Turn right cycling out of Craven Arms on the Corvedale road, (B4368). Cross the River Onny and take the first left to the village of Halford.

2. Step 2

   Continue past Halford Church and reach the end of the tarmac road. Follow down a stony track and turn left through the 'kissing gate' into the watermeadows of the River Onny. Follow the path and cross the River Onny on a metal footbridge. Then cycle up to the junction with the A49. Please note that the kissing gate is tricky with an ebike. 

3. Step 3

   Cross over the A49 taking care, signposted for Edgeton and Craven Arms Business Park. Go over the level crossing, past the industrial estate and straight on. Then up a steep climb for just under 2 miles to the top of Wart Hill. 

4. Step 4

   Continue downhill to the hamlet of Round Oak. Take a sharp turn left signed Hopesay and The Fish. 

5. Step 5

   Go straight on through the hamlet of Round Oak, past the telephone box and up a steep short hill (wonderful views of the Long Mynd & Clee Hills). Down a very steep hill (take care) to Basford and then up again towards Edgton. 

6. Step 6

   At the top of the hill you will find an old Milestone, left over from the days when this narrow road would have been an important link between Bishop's Castle and Craven Arms. Cycle past the Milestone and Edgton Village Hall. Go straight on a the next crossroads, signposted Lydbury North, (following NCR 44 signs). 

7. Step 7

   A very grand vicarage is on your left hand side as you go up one last hill. Lydbury North can be seen straight ahead, the church is exactly in the centre of your view. Downhill now (past Lynchgate) all the way to the valley bottom. Before the main road, B4385, turn right in front of a farm - the turn is signed NCR44 and Plowdon/ Eyton. 

8. Step 8

   After 1.5 miles turn left signposted to Brockton and Bury Ditches Hillfort.  Take the second left into hamlet of Brockton and bear left past the large farm storage buildings. Head out up a very steep hill to (would you believe) a place named Lower Down. Up another very steep hill (you might have to get off and push) to Bury Ditches car park. 

9. Step 9

   *The next section is off road and best suited to hybrid, gravel or mountain bikes rather than a road bike.

   Continue through the car park taking the main forest road past the wooden barrier. Follow the winding track through the woods and after half a mile at the junction in tracks take the left downhill through the woods. This track at  times skirts the woods with fields to the left, followed by another hill. Here the track runs through fabulous beach woods. Be careful as the surface is loose and stony. Follow the winding track down to the barrier at the Colstey Woods entrance. This is a fun and exhilarating off wooded road route, with easy level cycling if you have a suitable bike.  

    

10. Step 10

    At the main road (A488) turn left up a short hill, then downhill for 1/2 a mile. Turn right  at a house on the corner signed to Bicton. Cycle past a small lake and downhill to Bicton. At the valley bottom keep left signed Clun. Your first views of Clun castle are straight ahead. 

11. Step 11

    At the T-junction with the main road turn right and continue onto Clun. This is a good place for a lunch stop with pubs, tea shops and a friendly village store. Take time to read the history and traditions of Clun including the Green Man festival. 

12. Step 12

    At Purslow and the Hundred House Inn turn right signed Leintwardine on the B4385 and continue across the River Clun to the hamlet of Twitchen. 

13. Step 13

    At the hamlet of Twitchen turn left at the small crossroads signed for Abcott. You can make a short diversion here to visit Hopton Castle. Cycle up a short hill, then a good roll downhill to the main road at Abcott. Turn left at the main road (B4367) towards Clungunford. 

14. Step 14

    Cycle past the church and into the village. Take the sharp left hand bend then turn right up School Lane. Ride up a short hill to the T-junction at Crossways (two distinct cottages). Turn left to follow the line of the old Roman road towards Craven Arms and Broome. 

15. Step 15

    Carry straight on along this road and down a long steep hill (take care). Cycle under the railway bridge to the junction of the main road (B4368). 

16. Step 16

    Turn right and then immediately left (just after the Craven Arms sign) onto Watling Street. Carry on along this narrow lane and turn right at the T- junction. You are now back on the outgoing cycle route. Go over the level crossing to the junction with the A49.

17. Step 17

    Cross the A49 (take care) and cycle back through the water-meadows to Halford, Craven Arms and the Shropshire  Hills Discovery Centre.