Walking in the Shropshire Hills

 Friday 21 May

We set out to drive to Ludlow for a two night stay and after about an hour the rain starts and continues all afternoon. It'sThe Great British Summer! We decide to go via Malvern and then take a break. The rain has stopped when we reach the British Camp and we make a fairly swift dash up to the Herefordshire Beacon. We do not stay up there for long because a) the wind is blowing at about 40mph and b) it starts raining again.

Saturday 22 May

Our hotel is across the road from Ludlow Castle. 

Shops, not our hotel.

After a fruitful morning exploring the town, its buildings, shops and market, we drive to Little Stretton for an afternoon walk across The Long Mynd.

We follow the Ashes Hollow track through the valley from Little Stretton and go up to the Boiling Well. At the top a couple are having their wedding photos taken. (There is a road that passes over the top of the Mynd.)

There are great views of the beautiful Shropshire Hills from the top, including The Wrekin to the north-east. To the south-east we can see The Malverns and across Herefordshire in the south-west to Hay Bluff and the Brecon Beacons beyond.

A bit of mud here but the wind had dried out most of the terrain. There were a lot of small birds in the valley and ravens and hawks up top. 

Looking north with The Wrekin in the distance.

We go off piste from Ashlet back down to the village - steep and tricky!

All Saints Church in Little Stretton at the end of our walk.

Sunday 23 May

It's goodbye to the Dinham Hall Hotel and there is time for a trek up Clee Hill before an overnight stay with friends in Worcestershire. The weather is dry but at the top of Clee Hill the wind is even stronger than it was on Friday. I don't have enough of a Barnet to get it messed up.

Even though the weather was not great, it was good to finally get away for a weekend post lockdown!