Cycling is one of the best ways to soak up the unspoilt landscapes and experience the unique features of the environment and villages of North Shropshire. It is ideal cycling terrain: quiet lanes and country roads, easy gradients and yet amazing views. These cycle routes have been chosen to suit a range of interests and abilities, the shortest route being 7.5 miles and the longest 24 miles. Cycled over a day, with a picnic lunch or a stop at a local pub, this really is a great way to explore the area.
Whitchurch Cycle Rides Route 4: To Ightfield, Audlem & Wrenbury (18.5 mile)
An 18.5 circular cycle route from Whitchurch, with 27 mile longer option. The tranquillity of Shavington Park and the ever popular canal side hostelries at Audlem will reward cyclists who take on the longer route.
Places of interest:
Whitchurch
Whitchurch is one of the busiest and most beautiful market towns in Shropshire. As one of the oldest towns in Shropshire, it also has a fascinating history. Whitchurch is a bustling place; perfect for a great day’s shopping offering a variety of traditional and specialist shops as well as larger chain stores. There are fantastic places to eat, drink, explore or just relax and watch the world go by. Find out more about Whitchurch’s heritage and what else there is to see and do at the Heritage and Tourist Information Centre or visit www.whitchurch-heritage.co.uk/
Calverhall
Calverhall village is located halfway between Whitchurch and Market Drayton, designed largely by W. Eden Nesfield in partnership with Norman Shaw in the 1870’s. The Church of 1872 also has a glass by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones of 1875.
Audlem
Audlem is an ever-popular picturesque village in the heart of Cheshire’s Upper Weaver Valley set beside the Shropshire Union Canal. With characteristic canalside hostelries, Audlem is always popular as a stop-off point for walkers and canal cruisers, as well as a popular destination for several summertime events and festivals.
Wrenbury
In 1643, during the English Civil War, Wrenbury Hall served as accommodation for the Parliamentarian forces as they prepared for the fateful Battle of Nantwich. In the village itself is the church of St Margarets, which dates from c1500, although a church has existed on the site since the 12th century. Wrenbury also boasts a delightful canal wharf at Wrenbury Mill on the outskirts of the village.
Ride directions
Step 1
Leave Whitchurch along Station Road. Turn right at the first
roundabout towards Wrexham and then left at the next roundabout
on to Ash Road. Go through Ash and on to IghtfieldStep 2
Continue on through Ightfield towards Market Drayton
Step 3
Turn left in Ightfield signposted to Burleydam
Step 4
Go through Burleydam and at the next
T-junction turn right signposted to WilkesleyStep 5
After ½ mile turn first left (unsigned)
Step 6
At the crossroads with the A525 go straight
over into Rockery Lane, signposted Aston
and WrenburyStep 7
Continue into Aston and go straight over at the crossroads towards
Wrenbury Station and follow the road into WrenburyStep 8
At the T-junction turn left into Nantwich Road, signposted to
CholmondleyStep 9
Just after the Church turn left into New Road, signposted to Marbury
and WhitchurchStep 10
Turn left under the railway bridge, signposted to Hollyhurst and
Whitchurch. National Cycle Route (NCR 45)Step 11
Turn first left into Ossmere Lane, signposted to Whitchurch
Step 12
Turn next left, signposted to Whitchurch and Shrewsbury. Return to
Whitchurch along Talbot Street (NCR 45)