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Shifnal and Kemberton Walk

Shifnal to Kemberton and a hill-top view

Map illustrated by Kendall Walford from Oldbury Wells School

 

Start: Shifnal village hall car park off Aston Street. Grade: Moderate. Distance: Six and a half miles. Terrain: Gently undulating on field paths, some over cultivated land. Quiet lanes. Refreshments: Mason's Arms in Kemberton. Wide choice in Shifnal. Recommended map: OS Explorer 242 Telford and Wrekin.

Starting from Shifnal this walk passes over Lodge Hill with a wonderful view out over the east Shropshire landscape towards the Clee hills followed by a stream-side path to the hamlet of Evelith with its fine mill house. Kemberton - with a refreshment stop - marks the half-way point before the return on field paths and a quiet lane.

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The Route

(1) Leave the car park via alleyway on the opposite side to the village hall and which runs alongside the Co-op store. At the end go left to cross the end of Aston Street and go straight ahead under the railway bridge to walk along Park Street. When the road bends to the left, go right along Park Lane - signed Grindle and Kemberton. Pass St Andrew's School, left, and the entrance to Lodge Hill Farm, right.

(2) Immediately after the last houses on the right -a row of white cottages - go right on a signed footpath which, initially, follows a rough driveway. When the drive ends at a gate cross the adjacent stile and go ahead on the wide path, with a pool on the left. Keep the clear path as it bends left, now with a hedge on the left and goes up the field left-hand boundary. In the field corner continue straight ahead, now with a hedge on your right. Cross a facing stile and go ahead on the gentle ascent of Lodge Hill, keeping to right-hand boundary. Crest the rise - enjoy the view - and walk downhill keeping fence on your right.

(3) Cross a corner stile and go ahead on the woodland path and down steps at the bottom of which go right to cross the brook. Go left on a path which follows the stream. This can get overgrown in the height of summer. Go ahead as the path crosses the bottom of a field and then continues forward on a field edge with the stream down to the left. Cross two stiles and through a small conifer coppice to exit on to the road at Evelith. (The mill is just left).

(4) Go right up the lane. Crest the rise and go ahead a short distance to go left over a stile. Bear left and go forward on the field-edge path. About 40 yards before reaching a stile go right at a small waymark post, on left,. and straight ahead up the field. Within a few paces of passing a solitary tree go right on a track. Do not pass through a wide gateway, but go left and ahead on field boundary, followed by a green lane to exit on to a road.

(5) Go left , passing a white cottage. Immediately before the next house go right and forward on a gravel drive. Continue ahead on field boundary - ignoring first stile, right. At the end of an enclosed path and immediately at the end of a wooden stable block go right over a stile. Go left to follow the field boundary up to a stile in top left-hand corner. Go ahead to exit on to a road in Kemberton. The pub is straight ahead. The direct route is right through the village.

(6) Immediately after the entrance to High Farm go left on a wide enclosed track at the end of which continue forward to cross a stile. Go ahead to another stile. Go forward over an arable field bearing slightly left aiming about midway along the wide clump of trees. At field edge go ahead keeping the line of trees immediately on your left for a few paces to a stile on the left. Cross and go half right down through the trees.

(7) At field edge go half right and ahead cutting off the corner. Pass through a gap in the hedge and continue on the same line over the field to a stile. Go right on the lane, ignoring a right turn. Pass through a gateway and, ignoring concrete road, continue on a descent on a rough roadway. Keep the track as it bends sharp left and go ahead. A short distance before the gated end go left up a path.

(8) Go left on a concrete road for about 10 yards, then go right on a clear path which keeps to the left-hand boundary to follow three sides of the sewage works, eventually arriving at a stile. Continue ahead on the clear path to reach Manor Barns. Go left over the stile and keep the enclosed path which follows the boundary fence. Cross a stile and go left and ahead on a driveway. At Mill Cottage bear left keeping the drive to exit on to a road on the edge of Shifnal. Go right on the pavement. At an island go straight ahead on Church Street. At a T-junction go left to retrace steps.