Shropshire Woman

Postcode/Satnav reference: SY5 6AF
Distance: Around 2 km.
Difficulty: Easy, though with a short steep stretch. Path may be muddy.

Adapted from Louisa Morley's Country Living blog

AFTER A RELAXING SUNDAY LUNCH in the the splendid Riverside Inn, on the road betwwen Cressage and Cound, it was time for a guilt-easing, tummy decreasing walk with our dog.

A pleasant stroll of a couple or so kilometres awaited us, through fields and hidden hamlets, promising panoramic views of the glorious Shropshire countryside in spring.

(1 ) We changed into boots in the pub’s car park then crossed the busy A458, following the marked footpath into the fields. A huddle of snowdrops signposted where the path has been diverted from a farm track to the edge of a muddy field.

(2) We progressed in a drawn-out line up the hill, (an ascent of about 50 metres) the youngest member of our group squelching up through the ridges at a slower pace than the rest. We passed by a cherry tree already in full blossom, though it was only March, and noticed the sound of skylarks twittering above our heads - early in the year for them, too!

Ahead of us the brown path carved its way up the field through the green shoots of the springing corn; the line of the horizon was picked out in a lighter blue and above us the clouds scudded past at a rate of knots. All very easy on the eye.

Cound Hall by Sabine Hutchinson

(3). On reaching the top and turning round, the majestic view of the Wrekin set in the middle of a patchwork of fields was laid out before us. It was certainly worth the short climb!

We skirted along the edge of the next field, which was much easier – less mud and more stones made it drier underfoot. Then a hop over a stile onto a farm track, and suddenly the walking was easier still.

(4) Next we reached Harnage, a lovely hamlet hidden in the folds of a valley, where we spotted a family of robins nesting in the disused Victorian letterbox set in a butter-coloured stone wall. How enterprising - obviously taking on board the ‘recycle and re-use’ message.

Amongst the few houses in Harnage were dotted interesting old outbuildings, ripe for a spot of renovation; well- advanced daffodils clearly benefitting from a sheltered and sunny positions, and banks of ivy studded with snowdrops.

An idyllic little spot if ever there was one, with the view of a distant range of hills bathed in sunshine to add to the magic of the moment.

By Louisa Morley

Throughout the walk we have not encountered another human being. We were the only ones around for literally miles. Our ramble did have a soundtrack though - our squelchy footfalls, dogs barking in the distance, bleating sheep and the occasional distant hum of a car engine.

(5) The walk was circular so now we were enjoying the downhill bit - back to the pub car park and journey’s end, feeling very virtuous after our invigorating outing. And just enough time to go back in for a swift drink before home!