Shropshire Way Car Free Walk 3: Bromfield to Craven Arms

Walk directions

1. Start

   You start this walk at the Bromfield bus stop on the A49.

   If you arrive from the Craven Arms direction then you will need to use the underpass to cross the A49 which is just to the left beyond the bus shelter. If you arrive from the Ludlow direction then walk ahead on the pavement over a bridge (River Onny) towards the road turning for Knighton. Turn left beforehand (the underpass emerges from the left) and follow the path as it curves left to a quiet lane which passes Bromfield Church.

2. Step 2

   On reaching the bridge over the River Teme, go right over a stile to enter a pasture where you keep ahead near to the riverside. Cross a stile into the next field to walk between the line of alder trees and the field edge. The path leaves the river and leads to a track.

3. Step 3

   Go left on the track and once over the brook turn right to follow the field’s edge until you reach a double stile near to the top right corner. Once over turn left and, at the corner, right to walk the length of the field. At the top left corner keep right at the junction of paths and pass near to Stead Vallets farm to a metal barred gate on the left. Turn right to walk along the lane to the main road.

4. Step 4

   Cross the road, turn right for a few steps and then left along a bridleway track which runs between fields to a row of cottages. Just beyond them bear slightly right on a wet green track between bushes and rise up to the right of a dwelling on a track that leads to the road.

5. Step 5

   Go right along it to pass by the quiet settlements of Wetmore and Duxmoor until you reach Whittytree. This is about 1.5 mile of walking, i.e. approximately 30 minutes.

6. Step 6

   At Whittytree, pass the road junction for Brandhill go next left on a track by the telephone kiosk and before the post box. The track skirts a barn and curves left into Aldon Gutter.

7. Step 7

   Enter the woodland through the kissing gate and continue to rise; the path goes through a bridle gate and reaches a junction by a winterbourne stream. There are remnants of an old settlement nearby. Here you cross a small stream and turn right along a broader woodland track.

8. Step 8

   Cross a forestry track and keep straight on to pass by a derelict dwelling on the right. The path rises to a small footbridge. Once over the stream, keep left to rise up a track through a gate and right to a lane.

9. Step 9

   Go right to walk through the hamlet of Aldon and at the next junction turn left. As the road curves left turn right along a green track which runs above the Onny valley with superb views across the Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc and across to the Clee Hills.

10. Step 10

    The track reaches a wood and descends beneath hawthorn and hazel to a drive where it bends left and right to drop down to the level crossing over The  Marches Railway line. The view over Stokesay Castle to Norton wood is superb.

11. Step 11

    Cross the tracks with care and continue along the road to pass Stokesay Castle and church to the main A49 road. There’s a path on the left just before the road. This leads up to the road lay-by where you need to cross. Take care here as the traffic is travelling at speed. Once across, go through the barred gate, as signposted, to enter the Onny meadows and turn left for the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre.

    Shorter walks – take the bus to Onibury and walk up the quiet lane to Whittytree and join this walk at step 7. Take care if crossing the A49.