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Sheriffhales Walk

Green lanes and an old stone cross

Map illustrated by Kendall Walford from Oldbury Wells School

Start: The parish church off B4379 in the village of Sheriffhales just east of Telford one mile north of the A5. Grade: Moderate. Distance: Four and a half miles including detour to the pub. Terrain: Gently undulating on field paths and bridleways, which can be muddy. Stretches on quiet lanes and roadside pavements. Refreshments: Countess's Arms at Weston Heath and shop in Sheriffhales. Recommended map: OS Explorer 242 Telford and Wrekin Parking: Limited parking near the church.

The origin of the name of the village of Sheriffhales comes from "sheriff's corners of land." Today the original part of the village is by-passed and has managed to retain a peaceful, timeless charm with several fine half-timbered houses.

To the west of the parish church is Sheriffhales Manor where, in the 17th Century was established a college for Roman Catholics and Nonconformists who were not allowed to attend other colleges.

The walk sets off from the church and the route makes a very gentle ascent on the pavement alongside the B4379 to arrive at an old stone cross standing in an elevated position at the roadside.

The route then follows green lanes, quiet roads, field and woodland paths offering good views over the gentle landscape.

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The Route

(1) Standing at the road junction with your back to the church gate go sharp left up Church Lane. At the T-junction go left passing the village shop. Go ahead on the left-hand pavement for just over a mile on a gentle rise ignoring roads off to Lilleshall and Weston Heath.

(2) Within a short distance of passing the sign for Heath Hill when the road starts to bend left cross the road to the stone cross and go right on a wide enclosed footpath which initially follows a service driveway. Cross a facing stile and continue forward down the green lane crossing two sets of stiles.

(3) At the end of the enclosed path cross a stile and carry on forward to a small clump of trees and a pond. Pass immediately to the left of these and go ahead now keeping the hedge on your right to exit on to Damson Lane.

(4) Go right on the lane. (To make the detour to the Countess's Arms, within a short distance, opposite a house. go left over a stile and forward on the field right-hand boundary on a path which leads into the pub car park). For the direct route keep to the lane.

(5) At a T-junction go forward to cross a stile and ahead on the field boundary keeping the hedge on your right. Over a stile and ahead on a footpath which follows the inside edge of woodland. Cross a stile - ignore a footpath going right - and continue forward with woodland on your left.

(6) Pass through a gateway in the field corner and immediately go right over a stile to head up the field keeping the fence on your right towards another wood. Cross a stile in the top corner and go left to another stile. Cross and go ahead on the field boundary to exit on to a lane via a stile opposite a farm entrance.

(7) Go right down the lane for a quarter of a mile to go left on an enclosed bridleway which eventually exits on to another lane. Go right on the road. At the junction continue forward down the lane back to the church.