Long Mynd and Stiperstones
"Into my heart an air that kills
From yon far country blows
What are these blue remembered hills
What spires, what farms are those?"
A E Housman, A Shropshire Lad
(2009 celebrates Housman's 150th anniversary)
You can view the 150th Housman anniversary leaflet by downloading the PDF here
Visually, these two 'hills' are very different - the Long Mynd is a large and long plateau, while the rugged outline of the Stiperstones ridge is unmistakable. Together, they make up the largest area of heathland in the Shropshire Hills. Come late summer these hilltops are a sea of purple and not to be missed. Along with the heather a variety of other plants flourish here including bilberry (known locally as whinberry), and this in turn attracts many insects and birds - look out for a green hairstreak butterfly or stonechat on the gorse.
As well as a wealth of wildlife, the area is steeped in history and folklore. Shooting Box is one of sixteen Bronze Age burial mounds found on the Mynd and the 5,000 year old ridge-way, the Portway, once carried Neolithic traders high and dry above the wet and wooded valleys. During the 1870s the Stiperstones area was one of Britain's main sources of lead. Remains of this once thriving industry are scattered along the western slopes of the Stiperstones. Both Mary Webb and Malcolm Saville set their stories in these hills, and there is many a myth and tall tale to be told.
These organisations, along with other landowners and the AONB Partnership, work together to strike the delicate balance between conservation, agriculture and public enjoyment.
A delicate balance
The Long Mynd and the Stiperstones are popular with visitors. They are also important conservation sites. Much of the Long Mynd is looked after by the National Trust, while most of the Stiperstones is a National Nature Reserve (NNR), owned and managed by Natural England. The Shropshire Wildlife Trust has a number of nature reserves along the ridge - The Hollies, Brook Vessons and Nipstone.
Things to do
Walking
There are lots of leaflets and books describing walks in this area and there are miles of public footpaths to follow. The map gives you some suggestions, but ask at the local Visitor Information Centres or visit www.shropshirewalking.co.uk.
Great views and no driving, map reading or parking to worry about!
The Shropshire Hills Shuttles run at the weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter. They depart from Carding Mill Valley and Church Stretton every hour from 0910 and 0913 respectively. Visit www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk or ask at a Visitor Information Centre for a leaflet.
Bog Visitor Centre
A warm welcome awaits you at the Bog Visitor Centre, along with home-made cakes, local crafts and displays on the history of the area, the folklore, where to walk and much more. For more information contact the Bog 01743 792484 or visit www.bogcentre.co.uk.
Snailbeach Mine
Ruined engine houses, blacksmith shops and tall chimneys tell of a time when the lead mines of this area were the most productive in Europe. Underground trips into Day Level are available when the Snailbeach Mine Visitor Centre is open. Opening times: Sundays, 11 - 4pm, from 31 May to 25 October. Also open on the Sunday and Monday of Bank Holiday Weekends from Easter to August. For more information visit www.snailbeachmine.org.uk
Church Stretton
At the heart of the Shropshire Hills, this picturesque market town has been a popular visitor destination since Edwardian times. The town centre is full of traditional shops to tempt you - from tea rooms to a three-storey antiques emporium. Church Stretton is a magnet for walkers and a "Walkers are Welcome" town. There are lots of other activities to do including geocaching, paragliding and archery. Electric bikes are also available for hire. To find out more visit our Church Stretton webpage or Visitor Information Centre: 01694 723133.
Visit the heart of the South West Hills of Shropshire within the Shropshire Hills AONB
Explore the wonderfully contrasting hills of the rounded plateau of the Long Mynd, the craggy mystical Stiperstones, the less rugged Long Mountain on the Welsh Border and the valleys between.
The area is easily accessed by travelling north from Bishop’s Castle or south from Shrewsbury.
The area provided inspiration for the Shropshire authoress Mary Webb; Malcolm Saville with some of his Lone Pine stories; more modern authors Edith Pargetter in the area around Corndon Hill; Sharon Penman and Pauline Fisk in the Rea Valley and West Onny.
As well as superb walking country visitors may discover interesting hidden buildings & churches plus opportunities to seek out Industrial Archaeology from the mining era.
The geological history is reflected in contrasting habitats with differing wildlife.
Come birdwatching, explore woodland, heathland and looking at wildflowers.
There are country pubs / inns in each valley offering a wide range of refreshments including locally sourced food and real ale.
The River East Onny rises near Cothercott Hill in an area where barytes and copper mining took place until the end of WW2. It flows through the parishes of Ratlinghope, Wentnor, Norbury and Myndtown before joining the West Onny near Bishop's Castle. The Onny flows to Craven Arms and south towards Ludlow.
Each parish church has a distinctive character. Look for the fossils in the rocks at Wentnor and Norbury churches. The large yew tree at Norbury. The Hurricane Tombstone at Wentnor commemorating the loss of a family in ‘a great hurricane of wind and snow’. The cottage was engulfed with snow whilst the occupants were possibly ‘caking’ - a local gambling pastime.
The story of Rev Donald Carr lost in the snow, in 1865 for 22 hours, after taking a service at Ratlinghope is among the many local stories,
On Prolley Moor the ‘Saltwell’ was visited regularly for people to enjoy the health giving properties of the water. At one time there was a scheme to pump the water across the Long Mynd to Church Stretton when the town was hoping to develop into a ‘Spa’.
Scenic walks starting at Bridges enable you to enjoy this wonderful countryside www.shropshirewalking.co.uk Darnford and Adstone Walks
The mystical Stiperstones ridge is not only known for the folklore and geology but also for the mining remains particularly at Snailbeach and Tankerville. Both are Heritage sites. www.shropshiremines.org.uk/misc/shropshire.htm for general details and www.snailbeachmine.org.uk for more specific information including opening times.
There are ‘lost villages’ at Blakemoregate; The Paddock and The Bog occupied when lead mining was at its peak. The woodland near The Paddock is an unusual holly wood and nearby are some of the largest Mountain Ash trees found in the UK.
The West Onny rises on the side of Stapeley Hill which was occupied in the Bronze Age. Five stone circles originally were in the area but only two remain. Marsh / Hoarstone Circle is to be found near Hemford. It appears to be gradually sinking into the wet ground. Mitchell’s Fold at the other end of the hill is easier to find and is well marked from A488.
A leaflet about Stapeley Hill and the walking routes to the circles and the Holy Well [price 50p] is available from local shops etc or by sending stamped addressed envelope to SWSMATG chairman c/o Thresholds Centre, Picklescott SY6 6NU
A little known church between Stapeley Hill and Rorrington, at Middleton is worth a visit. Here the Rev Brewster carved interesting faces on the pew ends and the legend of the wicked witch Mitchell on a capital of one of the arches.
Corndon Hill dominates the landscape of this valley with a small prehistoric axe factory just behind it. Nestling at its foot is Hyssington with the legend of the Bagbury Bull. Nearby Roundton Hill with a hill fort and a Nature Reserve provide a contrast for you to explore.
Flenny Bank and Mucklewick Walks start at The Bog helping you to explore part of the West Onny Valley www.shropshirewalking.co.uk
The Shropshire Way enables you to follow clearly marked paths from Long Mynd to Stiperstones, across the Linley Hills which separate East from West Onny to Bishop’s Castle
www.shropshirewalking.co.uk/shropshire-way
Beyond Stapeley Hill is the Rea Valley with the village of Chirbury at one end. This was an important place in Medieval times with several motte and bailey castles in the vicinity, the church and an Augustinian Priory. Offas Dyke runs between Chirbury and Montgomery.
The B4386 runs along the bottom of the valley towards Shrewsbury bounded on one side by Long Mountain. This was a route taken by Welsh raiders when attacking Shrewsbury. It is not surprising that the sides of the valley show the remains of castle or fortified sites, the best example at Caus. For more information visit www.reaven.org.uk
The whole of this area of the South West Shropshire Hills is crisscrosses with footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes www.shropshirecycling.co.uk.
Even if you do not wish to participate watch the skill of the gliders, para and hang gliders from the top of The Long Mynd or hang gliding from Corndon Hill. Regular Ballon flights take place in the area.
There are Music Festivals, art studios and a wide range of activities to be found in this little known area. Accessible by the Shropshire Hill Shuttle bus at weekends during the summer season www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk; service bus along A488 or travel to Pulverbatch from Shrewsbury by bus.