Ancient Trees and Stones Around Norbury & Wentnor

Walk directions

1. Start

   From main road in Wentnor and The Crown Inn, walk towards the church and take road to the right, downhill signed Bishop's Castle.

   100 metres downhill take the byway which heads off to the left (or follow road down to Wentnor Stores for supplies and re-join route on minor road turning left below the shop).

   Follow the byway to road and turn left past the Walkmill and holiday cottages by the bridge. Be careful on road. About 100 metres beyond bridge turn right along unsigned minor road which after 1.5km brings you to Norbury. At T-junction turn right and stay on road as it swings round into the village.

2. Step 2

   Follow road around churchyard, past phone box, ignoring lane to the right until 20 metres further there is a track heading right signed as a footpath. Head up track past cottage on right to farmyard area. Go through kissing gate and continue ahead. At finger post fork right and head for tall trees in hedgerow opposite. Cross small bridge and kissing gate into next field and continue ahead to field gate.

   Go through kissing gate and head leftish across field and down to a stream crossed by a bridge with two stiles. From here head diagonally up across field to far left corner and through gate before farm barns. Keep to the track ahead above barns and farmhouse (muddy at times). Once through gate head down farm track and through gate.

3. Step 3

   You have reached the Linley Beeches Avenue and joined the Shropshire Way. Head right, through kissing gate and up the avenue between the ancient trees.

   There are two large beeches at the top of the main avenues. From here cut across, through gate and on to secondary line of beech trees which follow the old field boundary line, marching over the horizon. As you reach the top and another gate views of the Stiperstones begin to open up with Nipstone Rock. Keep on along tree line.

4. Step 4

   At next gate a bridleway drops down to Norbury which provides a slightly shorter route back, or continue ahead on our route which takes a big loop around the near skyline and back into Wentnor.

   At the next gate you leave the Shropshire Way. Continue straight on until you reach final clump of trees on horizon.

   Before gate take a quick detour up to the earthwork or mini hill fort on top of the hill. From here you can see Cranberry Rock on the Stiperstones ridge. Follow fence on your right, then after a bit cut across to kissing gate in fence ahead.

5. Step 5

   Head across next field and cut right to gate in far corner. Take care as you pick your way across the marshy patch. These wet upland areas are a good habitat for curlew, snipe, lapwing, skylark and reed bunting. Keep along fence line on your left for about 1km, through field gate and across a second marshy area.

6. Step 6

   After a rise in the land look for stile in fence on left. Follow the old field boundary across and down to next stile. Wonderful views of the Long Mynd. Head steeply downhill keeping fence on your right. You'll come to some lumpy ground and then a small quarry - now long unused. Take care as quarry is unfenced and very steep. Head round left hand edge of quarry and down to stile set above the lane.

7. Step 7

   Turn right onto lane and along 30 metres to another stile on left into large field. Walk straight down field to stile at bottom. Follow farm track round to right towards Lower Gravenor farmhouse. Just before the farm turn left through field gate and back downhill.

   Ignore gates until you reach stile in right hand fence. Cross this and head across field to another Stile. Cross a tiny stream and walk round the top of the field, keeping fence on your right, to a stile. Walk gently down the edge of field to stile by the river, caravan site ahead. Cross the river using the caravan site's bridge a little further along. Follow concrete track up to the Inn on the Green.

8. Step 8

   Take care crossing the road. Turn right and then left to Wentnor Stores. Further up this road you can cut back up to the village via steps in hedge on left and up a couple of steep fields with kissing gates, keeping an eye out for some friendly donkeys. You emerge just 100 metres from The Crown Inn or keep to the lane which winds its way to the church.