A stunning cycle tour, which gradually leads you to the
world famous Ironbridge gorge - the birthplace of the Industrial
Revolution. Overnight stops take you to Clun, Church Stretton and
Ironbridge (for two nights) - enabling you to spend a whole day exploring
this unique gorge & heritage museums. Leave Ironbridge to cycle down
through the Clee Hills to the medieval town of Ludlow. Your last day takes
you through Mortimer Forest back to Petchfield Farm.
This cycle tour covers slightly longer distances (up to
32 miles/ 51km a day), but with lots of interest all the way. The Long
Mynd is the biggest hill you have to cycle over. Total 114 miles/ 184km.
Opportunities for longer rides each day.
Day 1. Petchfield Farm to Clun. 20miles/ 32km. Cycle to
Clun, along one of our favourite routes, following the Rivers Teme and
Redlake. A wonderful route along idyllic valley lanes past a string of
picturesque villages, gradually leading you up through a cleft in the
hills. Plenty of inns & teashops.
Day 2. Clun to Church Stretton. 26 miles/ 42km. TodayÕs
tour takes you to the border market town of Bishop's Castle then over the
heather covered grouse moors of the Long Mynd hills (the easy way) to the
spa town of Church Stretton. If you want to make this day more of a
challenge you can also visit Montgomery with its spectacular castle and the
dramatic Stiperstones.
Day 3. Church Stretton to Ironbridge. 32 miles/ 52km.
Follow Apedale to the River Severn - a distinctly different cycling area to
the border country you've been touring through - lots of old established
farms. You can visit the ruins of Wroxeter Roman city & Buildwas Abbey
en-route. Or if you have lots of time, Attingham Park - a Grand National
Trust house.
Day 4. Ironbridge, a World Heritage Site is situated on
the River Severn in a quiet, deeply wooded gorge - very different to the
atmosphere 200 years ago - it became the birthplace of the Industrial
Revolution. You can cycle or walk to all the museums in the gorge. Blists
Hill Victorian village is the most popular, but the others are fascinating
too, from the Ironmasters houses to the Tar Tunnel & Jackfield Tile
Museum.
Day 5. Ironbridge to Ludlow. 32 miles/ 52km. Cycle
through the Corvedale to Ludlow. Visit BroseleyÕs Pipeworks museum,
National TrustÕs Benthall Hall and Much Wenlock - home to the medieval
Wenlock Priory, and the story of how Much Wenlock was the inspiration for
the modern Olympic games. Under the Clee you will find quiet hamlets,
Norman churches, superb cycling and the longest ford in the UK. Ludlow is
a medieval fortified town with a magnificent Norman castle. There are
lots of very good inns and restaurants in Ludlow, including two Ò MichelinÓ
chefs.
Day 6. Ludlow to Petchfield Farm, either 5 miles/8km
through Mortimer Forest or 10 miles/16km via Richards Castle, one of the
first Norman castles built in this country, before 1066! Finishing any
time in the afternoon, back at Petchfield Farm.
© Wheely wonderful cycling
