Walking in the Bishop's Castle Area

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Bishop’s Castle is a “Walkers are Welcome” town and a special effort is made to ensure public footpaths are in good order. www.walkersarewelcome.co.uk “Walking for Pleasure” long and short walk leaflets are available from the Visitor Information Centre and downloadable from the website.
Clun also has excellent walks straight from the town and a walking guide has been published this year.
The Bishop’s Castle Ring - the bcring - five days of walking in the area (www.bcring.co.uk) is a challenge for seasoned walkers.

Walking Groups why Bishop's Castle makes an ideal centre for your holiday. The Shropshire Link Bus (0345 6789068) is now available for group bookings, only needing one registered user - either the accommodation provider or group organiser. Book up to a week in advance, the earlier the better as the bus runs on a first come first served basis. Dogs are allowed on the bus.
The Shropshire Link Bus can also be used to help individuals walk the excellent linear walks in the area The Southern Shropshire Way, recently upgraded, Offa’s Dyke Long Distance Footpath and the ancient pre Bronze Age Kerry Ridgeway.  The following bus stops are available on the Shropshire Link. Please quote the references when booking and give at least 24hrs notice. Telephone:0345 6789068 (some information >>HERE<< )

1. Pentreheyling - Opposite Blue Bell PH - - stop reference 10130 (Available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Bishops Castle)
2. Offas Dyke/Kerry Ridgeway Crossing at Crowsnest  -  stop reference
17019 (Available Monday to Saturday)
3. Newcastle - In centre of Village near pub -  - stop reference 10194 (Available Monday to Saturday from Bishops Castle)
4. Blockwood car park picnic area at Ceri Wood Car Park  - stop reference 17018 (Available Monday to Saturday from Bishops Castle)
5. Bridges - Horseshoes Inn - stop reference 10220 (Available Tuesday, Thursday and  Saturday from Bishops Castle)
6. The Bog Visitor Centre - stop reference 10408 (Available Tuesday, Thursday and  Saturday from Bishops Castle)
7. Clun - (Available Monday to Saturday from Bishop's Castle)
You can also get pick-ups and drop-offs with 24hr notice, Dial-a-Ride (01588 638350) and, the local taxi service on demand >>details<< (Dial-a-Ride only takes Guide Dogs)

Shropshire Hills AONB Walking with Offa project which has developed 12 new circular walks in the Shropshire Hills. All of these 12 walks are accessible by public transport, including zones 1 and 2 of the Shropshire Link – Bishop’s Castle, Clun, Craven Arms, the Clun Forest and Stiperstones. The codes for the Shropshire Link bus stops for the 12 “Walking with Offa” walks, to use when booking, are available on the individual walk leaflets. The new Walking with Offa routes can be found on www.shropshirewalking.co.uk/walking-with-offa

Bishop’s Castle Footpath Walking Group
Organise weekly walks throughout the year from the Harley Jenkins St. car park at 9.30 a.m. Some quite strenuous all day walks of 9 - 15 miles (A),moderate all day walks of 8 - 10 miles (B) and gentler morning walks of up to 6 miles (C). a.m. Visitors are very welcome. Guided countryside walks available.
Contact: the Tourist Information Office (01588) 638467. Current walks can be downloaded >>HERE<<

Bishop’s Castle Walking Festival www.walkingfestival.co.uk
7th - 9th of June, 2011 (see events list). Long and short guided walks with experienced guides to interpret the landscape.
Contact: Gill Lucas (01588) 638854 e-mail: gill@theporchhouse.com A book of “Walks from Bishop’s Castle Walking Festival” is for sale, £3.50.

Clun Ramblers
For Clun guided walks meet at the Memorial Hall car park. Visitors are welcome to join in (sorry no dogs). All-day walks of 10+ miles take place every Wednesday. From April to August walks start at 9.30 a.m; from September to March at 10.00 a.m. but times can vary: see local press for details.
Contact: Peter James (01588) 640027. Clun “ambles” of about 5 miles are on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays throughout the year starting at 10.00 a.m.
Contact: Maurice Young (01588) 640846. Clun “perambles” of 7-8 miles are every Wednesday at 10.00 a.m.
Contact: Jean Smith (01588) 640551. Details of all walks can be found at www.clun.org/walking. Bishop’s Castle and Clun Parish Paths Partnerships extend a warm welcome to all walkers. For easier day-long parking in Clun, walkers should use the 70 space Clun Memorial Hall free car park, at GR: 302811, easing pressure on the essentially short stay Clun Bridge car park.

Walcot Wood
Owned by the National Trust, the wood is a remnant of ancient pasture woodland, once part of a large Elizabethan deer park. It is dominated by unusually shaped 400 year old veteran oak trees which are home to rare lichens and beetles. The wood, which lies in a small valley below Bury Ditches Hill Fort and is protected from extreme weather and pollution, is now under active management after years of neglect. Bluebell, primrose, violet and sorrel carpet the wood in springtime and it is a haven for much wildlife. It is off the lane which runs between the villages of Brockton and Clunton and the Shropshire Way runs through it. As does the “Walking for Pleasure” around Clunton, Leaflet 5 walk which can be downloaded from www.bishopscastle.co.uk.
Contact: The National Trust, Cardingmill Valley, Church Stretton, telephone (01694) 723068.

Guided tours of Bishop’s Castle
The small, medieval town with a fascinating past of power and prestige out of all proportion to its size. The walking tours, which start at Lych Gate of St. John the Baptist Church and last about an hour are every Tuesday and Saturday at 6.30 p.m. from Saturday, April 23rd  to September. Charge
£1.50 adults, children free. Special rates for parties (minimum 6).  Tours at other times by arrangement
Contact: (01588) 630271

The Town Trail
This gives a short history of the 12th Century planned town as illustrated by its streets and buildings and costs £1.50 from the Tourist Information Centre and other town premises. Starting from the Parish Church (originally 12th Century), the trail takes the visitor to The Castle Site at the top of the town before working its way back to the church. It is published by the local Civic Society and can be downloaded >>HERE<<

Picnic Areas
Bishop’s Castle -Within easy walking distance of the town centre, has two parks suitable for picnics. The town’s main playing fields lie off Union Street - as you walk along Church Street towards the parish church, turn right. The park is a well maintained grass area with children’s play equipment and pleasant views. The land adjacent to the site of the town’s ancient castle forms the second picnic site - it lies at the top end of town off Castle Green, above the Castle Hotel gardens. This small area offers magnificent views of the town and surrounding countryside and has benches and picnic tables. Part of the old castle walls can be seen.
Clun - Clun Community Area has a children’s play area and the castle
ruins and river make an ideal picnic spot.

"Walking for Pleasure" long and short walk leaflets are available from the Visitor Information Centre and downloadable >>HERE<<

Many of the accommodation providers will drop off baggage at your next port of call if you are planning a major walk (Offas Dyke Path or Shropshire Way) - check with them.