THURSDAY 14TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: Walk up to Montgomery Road through Wintles plantation, through several fields (lovely views) short walk up road then along green lane. Onto road up to Bishop's Moat then more fields down to Woodbatch Road. Across fields and up through Cwmmawr Dingle then right and down Fields Lane to Church Barn.
Cost £3.50
Cost £3.50
THURSDAY 14TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: This walk is lead by Rob Dingle, Offa’s Dyke National Trail Officer. At the meeting point we car-share and start the walk in Newcastle on Clun. A circular walk on the western edge pf the Shropshire Hills AONB, linking the Shropshire Way with Offa’s Dyke Path at Hergan, with its gap in the Dyke. The walk then returns along the Offa’s Dyke Path to the midpoint of the Trail, with fabulous views over Newcastle on Clun and the Clun Valley. Please bring lunch and drink.
Cost: £3.50
Cost: £3.50
THURSDAY 14TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: A gentle start meandering through the quaint town of Clun, skirting the medieval castle joining the Shropshire Way, crossing the River Unk, taking the footpath through an old wooded path with only sheep enjoying the shade. A short stretch on a metalled road until we reach a green lane leading us to open fields crossing to Little Hall Farm. We then cross the Newcastle Clun road and have a steep climb up a wide track reaching a spectacular vantage point of the hamlet, Whitcott Keysett and the village of Newcastle on Clun where we will have our coffee stop. We will carry on towards Burfield Farm taking in Llaanfair Hill and Offa’s Dyke to Garbett Hall then returning via Rockhill, with spectacular views of Clun and its prominent Castle, then back to Clun and a teashop for a welcome pot of tea and cake.
Cost: £3.50
Cost: £3.50
THURSDAY 14TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: This walk is over the ridged hills of Hope Bowdler and Caer Caradoc, east of The Long Mynd. We will walk the ridges with beautiful views in all directions. Scaling the ramparts of an Iron Age fort and visiting the cave where King Caractacus supposedly hid from the Romans! Lower down we will pass through fields of lambs, see a badger sett and finish the walk in the bluebell woods of Helmeth Hill. Wear sturdy boots and bring waterproofs. If the weather is very rough there are alternative paths that can be taken. We will make two stops for coffee and lunch so bring those provisions along with you. We will finish in time for people to get back to the Church Barn in Bishops Castle for tea and cake !
Cost £3.50
Cost £3.50
THURSDAY 14TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: This circular walk leaves Bishop’s Castle via the Dingle to Mainstone and up to Offa’s Dyke where we have lovely 360 degrees panoramic views, across to the Dog and Duck (sadly no longer a pub) and, then downhill paths back to Bishop’s Castle in time for tea and cake at Church Barn.
Cost £3.50
Cost £3.50
THURSDAY 14TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: The BC ring is a 61 mile Long Distance Path in the hills of Shropshire and Mid Wales. For the BCWF 2020 a modern version of this Long Distance Walk utilising Public Rights of Way will be offered in 4 stages over the four days of the festival. Each stage is an attractive walk, which if completed in series, will form a continuous circular walk. Walkers can choose to join any or all of the stages.
Stage 1, Castle to Church (x2). Starting from Bishops Castle we head west onto the Kerry Ridgeway and then south onto the ups and downs of Offa’s Dyke to Churchtown. From here we follow the Shropshire Way to Clun with its ruined castle before finishing the day by the church at Clunton.
Cost: £6.50
Stage 1, Castle to Church (x2). Starting from Bishops Castle we head west onto the Kerry Ridgeway and then south onto the ups and downs of Offa’s Dyke to Churchtown. From here we follow the Shropshire Way to Clun with its ruined castle before finishing the day by the church at Clunton.
Cost: £6.50
FRIDAY 15TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: Join us for a fascinating tour of this ancient market town, which includes a private tour of The House on Crutches Museum. We start out from the top end of town, an area which has many historical buildings and is close to the site where the castle once stood, so this is a good place to hear about the origins of this ‘plantation’ town. A short walk down a steep, cobbled path leads us to the House on Crutches museum for a private tour of this beautifully restored, mediaeval, timbered building, where an experienced guide will talk about some of the exhibits and how they relate to the social and economic history of Bishop’s Castle. Then on down the hill, stopping at points of interest along the way, our guide relating interesting and often amusing facts about the history, buildings and some of the characters and events that shaped it. The tour ends with a walk around the churchyard, which has some unique gravestones and Georgian monuments. At the conclusion of the tour, you may wish to visit the Walking Festival Tea Room at Church Barn, where you can enjoy tea, coffee and delicious home-made cakes.
Cost £6.00
Cost £6.00
FRIDAY 15TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: Undulating walk in remote countryside across some rough ground as well as a stream or two to get across; along an ancient drovers’ route. No steep hills but good views. Visit the Cantlin Stone which commemorates the death of a pedlar in 1691. This is a morning walk which requires a half hour drive from Bishop’s Castle. We plan to be back in Bishop’s Castle by 1.30pm. Bring a drink and snack. After lunch why not join the Bishop's Castle Town Tour!
Cost: £3.50
Cost: £3.50
FRIDAY 15TH MAY 2020
 Stokesay Court
Stokesay Castle
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Description of Walk: We car-share from Bishop’s Castle, assembling at Stokesay Court (famed for the film ‘Atonement’) at 10.30am, where we will enjoy tea and cake in the Dining Room, whilst listening to an introductory talk about the Court. 11am don boots and walk through private byways and footpaths to Stokesay Castle approaching from a good view point. 12.30pm free time at Stokesay Castle to explore and have lunch. You can pre-order a picnic lunch from the Castle (tel 01588 672544) and this will be ready for you at 12.30pm. Alternatively, bring your own packed lunch or visit the on-site café. Please note that pre-booked lunches are payable directly to the Castle and are not included in the BCWF ticket price. If there is sufficient time, the church is also worth a visit. 2pm a valley walk back to Stokesay Court arriving around 3.30pm and then home to Bishop’s Castle for refreshments at Church Barn.
These visits are a taster for both venues and walkers may want to make their own arrangements to visit again.
Note: Visits to the Castle have been agreed at a discounted 2-for-1 and the normal adult cost is £8.60. This is to be paid directly to the Castle and is not included in the BCWF ticket price. English Heritage members have free admission.
Cost, including the talk and refreshments at Stokesay Court is £11.
These visits are a taster for both venues and walkers may want to make their own arrangements to visit again.
Note: Visits to the Castle have been agreed at a discounted 2-for-1 and the normal adult cost is £8.60. This is to be paid directly to the Castle and is not included in the BCWF ticket price. English Heritage members have free admission.
Cost, including the talk and refreshments at Stokesay Court is £11.
FRIDAY 15TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: This is a full day linear walk from Bishop’s Castle to the Kerry Vale on the English/ Welsh border. The return to BC will be by Dial a Ride minibus We will leave BC to the south on the Shropshire Way before diverting off to visit Cwmmawr Dingle, a lovely hidden valley. We then climb out of the Woodbatch valley, descend into the Unk valley, followed by a steep pull up to Offa’s Dyke. We follow the Dyke on one of its best sections, to the Kerry Ridgeway, before the steady descent into the Vale of Kerry. Here we visit a dairy farm which produces Real Ice Cream. We will have a talk and tour of the farm and there will be the opportunity to purchase ice cream. If we have time there is a possibility of a visit to the nearby prize-winning Kerry Vale Vineyard before the return to BC by minibus.
Cost £6.50
Cost £6.50
FRIDAY 15TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: We car-share to the attractive old town of Clun, six miles south of Bishop’s Castle. Our route takes us through the imposing ruins of Clun Castle, beneath which the little River Unk meets the River Clun. We take the Shropshire Way between these two rivers before climbing onto the grassy slopes of the Cefns where there are great views of the valley below. Continuing into the Unk valley we pass ancient farms and mills, walking through beautiful country that has an air of timelessness. There are deserted barns and tiny hamlets as we climb out of the valley, then on to Guilden (golden) Down and back to Clun.
Cost: £3.50
Cost: £3.50
FRIDAY 15TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: This walk is an interesting mix of undulating farmland, deep wooded valleys and quiet back-roads with breath-taking views (given some fine weather!) There are some challenging ascents and some rewarding descents. The Iron Age tribes certainly chose where to build their settlements well, being easily fortified with excellent vantage. Brief historical information will be given at each site. We meander from Craven Arms through the estate of Sibdon Carwood and climb to Hopesay Common where we may glimpse the resident wild ponies. Turning north we ascend steeply to the settlement atop Wart Hill. Dropping down to Round Oak we turn south to Hopesay village and climb to Burrow Fort where we might see deer grazing in the folds of the extensive workings. We descend to Kempton and join the Shropshire Way to climb up to Bury Ditches Fort, another fine location with a useful toposcope. Descending through mature woodland past Redwood to the village of Acton we find an ancient tumulus. Our way heads north touching Blakeridge Wood and passing west of Colebatch to return to Bishop’s Castle in time for tea and cake at Church Barn.
Cost £3.50
Cost £3.50
FRIDAY 15TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: The BC ring is a 61 mile Long Distance Path in the hills of Shropshire and Mid Wales. For the BCWF 2020 a modern version of this Long Distance Walk utilising Public Rights of Way will be offered in 4 stages over the four days of the festival. Each stage is an attractive walk, which if completed in series, will form a continuous circular walk. Walkers can choose to join any or all of the stages.
Stage 2, The Quietest Places. Starting walking from Clunton we visit the castle at Hopton, the village Clunbury and the fort at Burrow before we join the Shropshire Way which we follow to Plowden via Hopesay Common (National Trust) and a detour to visit the pretty trig point on Wart Hill.
Clunton and Clunbury, Clungunford and Clun,
Are the quietest places
Under the sun.
From A Shropshire Lad, A.E. Housman,
Cost: £5.50
Stage 2, The Quietest Places. Starting walking from Clunton we visit the castle at Hopton, the village Clunbury and the fort at Burrow before we join the Shropshire Way which we follow to Plowden via Hopesay Common (National Trust) and a detour to visit the pretty trig point on Wart Hill.
Clunton and Clunbury, Clungunford and Clun,
Are the quietest places
Under the sun.
From A Shropshire Lad, A.E. Housman,
Cost: £5.50
SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: Up to the top of the hill above the Castle site. Then down to Lydham village and across the fields to More Church via a mediaeval (or older) causeway to an overgrown motte which shows the site of a now vanished earlier village. Take a look around More and into the Church, which is within a circular enclosure, which shows its age. Back across the fields by a slightly different route, and then Dial-a-Ride bus (cost £1.00) just before 1.00 pm back to Bishops Castle from Lydham.
Cost: £3.50
Cost: £3.50
SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: Circular walk from Bishop’s Castle takes us up on to Oakeley Mynd, which has lovely views of the Long Mynd, on to Totterton and on down to Plowden Hall. Roger Plowden will give a talk on the hall and family history. The Plowden estate has been in the Plowden family since at least the 12th. century (Roger de Plowden was at the siege of Acre in 1191) and the present timbered Hall dates mainly from the late 16th century when it was renovated and extended by the famous lawyer, Edmund Plowden. We make our way back to Bishop’s Castle via the interesting Norman Lydbury North Church. Unusually, this Anglican Church contains the ancient, Plowden Roman Catholic Chapel!
Cost: £3.50
Cost: £3.50
SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: This circular walk passes through the beautiful Shropshire hills between the renowned Long Mynd and the Stiperstones ridge. From the Bridges car park, the route takes us through the charming Darnford valley and then climbs gently towards the Stiperstones ridge. This takes us through the pasture land and meadows of numerous small livestock farms, including some with rare breeds of sheep and even llamas. There are quite a lot of stiles. At the foot of the Stiperstones ridge, the walk turns westwards with panoramic views across the valley to the Long Mynd and down the valley of the East Onny river. We begin to drop down across open access grassland and deciduous woodland to eventually reach the river itself. A small climb from the valley bottom takes us onto an old drovers’ route offering more spectacular views.
Cost: £3.50
Cost: £3.50
SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: This is a circular walk from Bishop’s Castle, starting out across fields and up to Oakeley Mynd, from which there are excellent views of the Long Mynd, and on via a sunken lane to Lydbury North. From there we go, by permission, to Walcot Hall and are given a talk by owner Lucinda Parish, on the history of the Hall, whose previous owners included Clive of India. After that we go up through the Arboretum where, among other wonderful trees, there is a Douglas Fir planted in 1842 - just 15 years after the first seed was sent to Britain by plant hunter David Douglas. We then climb up to the spectacular Iron Age hill fort at Bury Ditches with 360 degree views over the Shropshire countryside, and return through woodland and fields to Bishop’s Castle in time for tea. Bring a flask of tea or coffee and some lunch as we’ll have a stop for each, and the usual weatherproof clothing and footwear.
Cost: £3.50
Cost: £3.50
SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: Charge for parking is a discretionary contribution at Chirbury. This walk from Chirbury goes through Marrington Dingle along the River Camlad and then takes us up across the English/Welsh border toward Churchstoke. Then we turn back and take in the 4 peaks of Todleth, Roundton, Lan Fawr and on up to the summit of Corndon. It’s all down hill after our lunch stop, going along to Mitchell’s Fold Stone Circle, then back via Middleton and Heightley to Chirbury. Be prepared for potentially cool winds at the top! Please bring a packed lunch, snacks and plenty to drink.
Cost: £3.50
Cost: £3.50
SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: The BC ring is a 61 mile Long Distance Path in the hills of Shropshire and Mid Wales. For the BCWF 2020 a modern version of this Long Distance Walk utilising Public Rights of Way will be offered in 4 stages over the four days of the festival. Each stage is an attractive walk, which if completed in series, will form a continuous circular walk. Walkers can choose to join any or all of the stages.
Stage 3, In High Places:
Starting at Plowden, we head north and ascend onto the Long Mynd and an invigorating walk to the high point at Pole Bank (516m) before descending to Ratlinghope. Heading west we cross Stiperstones to the old mining village of The Bog. Continuing on our journey we pass Grit Hill to Flenny Bank and the village of Shelve before descending through forestry to the main road and the bus back to BC.
Cost £5.50
Stage 3, In High Places:
Starting at Plowden, we head north and ascend onto the Long Mynd and an invigorating walk to the high point at Pole Bank (516m) before descending to Ratlinghope. Heading west we cross Stiperstones to the old mining village of The Bog. Continuing on our journey we pass Grit Hill to Flenny Bank and the village of Shelve before descending through forestry to the main road and the bus back to BC.
Cost £5.50
SUNDAY 17TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: This walk is for children aged 7-12 accompanied by one or two adults. Children will be free of charge. To book contact Glynn direct on 07980 266345. We will visit a beautiful woodland on the way to the Woodbatch Valley where we will carry out a couple of environmental activities. We will then head up the Woodbatch Valley taking a little used permissive path on Middle Woodbatch Farm. Here we will meet the farmer Steve Austin and his wife, Mary, who will talk to us about their approach to farming and how they take care of the environment. We will have our packed lunch here. There are toilets and hand washing facilities. We will return to Bishop's Castle along the Shropshire Way. Please bring drinks and snacks for the day.
Cost: £3.50
Cost: £3.50
SUNDAY 17TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: Starting from the Black Hill we walk through the forest towards Cwm. It was while staying with friends at Cwm Hall that writer and traveller Bruce Chatwin wrote the opening chapters of his novel On the Black Hill; he took the title from the hill. Our route then takes us into secluded valleys with farmsteads almost hidden from sight amongst the steep hillsides. A moderate walk but with some steep ‘ups and downs’ and splendid views. After our walk we can enjoy tea and cake in Clun.
Please bring food and drink for lunch and snacks; waterproofs; walking poles will be useful.
Cost: £3.50
Please bring food and drink for lunch and snacks; waterproofs; walking poles will be useful.
Cost: £3.50
SUNDAY 17TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: Starting from the Bridges Pub in the beautiful Onny Valley we will head south over Adstone Hill before heading for the foot of the Long Mynd at Stanbatch. A steep ascent follows to Pole Bank, the highest point on the Mynd, with 360 degree views on a good day. Walking north along the whale-back of the Mynd, we’ll have an opportunity to chat about the ecology and management of this important wildlife site with Dan, who has spent his life working in Nature Conservation. Our route then heads north-west before dropping steeply down into the valley of the Darnford Brook, where beautiful wooded slopes above the brook bring us back to the Bridges, and a well-earned pint for those who enjoy such things!
Packed lunch, good clothing and footwear, and a good level of fitness essential.
Cost: £3.50
Packed lunch, good clothing and footwear, and a good level of fitness essential.
Cost: £3.50
SUNDAY 17TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: A circular walk starting and finishing in Bishop’s Castle. “Not my old hilly hike" but a revised route, heading West and taking in some different paths and a mile of the Offa’s Dyke National Trail, with a long stretch of mainly The Shropshire Way taking us home.. A good level of fitness is needed for the hills, hills, and more hills! So expect steep climbs and steep descents, rewarded with spectacular views on a clear day. Set in stunning unspoilt countryside using a variety of terrain including footpaths, forest trails, tracks and quiet country lanes. (Walking poles advisable). Allow at least six hours for the walk returning to Bishop’s Castle around 4pm. Bring plenty of food and drinks for the walk as there are no opportunities to get supplies en route.
Cost: £3.50
SUNDAY 17TH MAY 2020
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Description of Walk: The BC ring is a 61 mile Long Distance Path in the hills of Shropshire and Mid Wales around Bishop’s Castle. For the BCWF 2020 a modern version of this Long Distance Walk utilising Public Rights of Way will be offered in 4 stages over the four days of the festival. Each stage is an attractive walk, which if completed in series, will form a continuous circular walk. Walkers can choose to join any or all of the stages.
Stage 4, The Last Leg. Starting at The Old Post Office, Gravels, we head over Stapeley Hill, passing the Stone Circle at Mitchell’s Fold, before ascending Corndon Hill. We pause to admire the wonderful views before descending. We continue southwards over Roundton Hill Fort and Todleth Hill before crossing the Camlad valley. The final climb brings us to a pleasant green lane and the return down into Bishop's Castle.
Cost: £5.50
Stage 4, The Last Leg. Starting at The Old Post Office, Gravels, we head over Stapeley Hill, passing the Stone Circle at Mitchell’s Fold, before ascending Corndon Hill. We pause to admire the wonderful views before descending. We continue southwards over Roundton Hill Fort and Todleth Hill before crossing the Camlad valley. The final climb brings us to a pleasant green lane and the return down into Bishop's Castle.
Cost: £5.50