The web site for NCR 45 The Mercian Way

A journey through time and the Marcher lands

Wonderful Countryside

NCR 45 The Mercian Way passes through the Counties of Wiltshire; Gloucestershire; Worcestershire; Shropshire; and Cheshire. The Route transports the cyclist or walker through some of the most beautiful countryside in the Country. There are lots of picturesque Settlements, Villages and many places of interest. The route itself, like this guide, is not yet complete although that does not prevent the cyclist from doing so; much of the route is travelled on minor roads and lanes rather than dedicated traffic free cycleways.

230 miles of Pleasure

NCR 45 The Mercian Way is a wonderful route, it connects Salisbury in Wiltshire with Chester in Cheshire via Swindon; Newbury; Cirencester; Stroud; Gloucester; Tewkesbury; Worcester; Bewdley; Bridgnorth; Ironbridge; Whitchurch, and Tattenhall. From 'Stonehenge'; via the first ever Iron Bridge and the Roman Walls of Chester, the Mercian Way links some of the most important sites in the Nation. The whole route is 230 miles long, in this guide I have divided it into 'Sections' and the 'Sections' are divided into 'Legs'.

Kingdom of Mercia

NCR 45 The Mercian Way, as its name suggests is based on the ancient Saxon Kingdom of Mercia. Although it is called the Mercian Way strictly speaking it is the West Mercian Way the capital of the old Kingdom being at Tamworth in Staffordshire and the Royal Burial place at Repton in Derbyshire. Indeed at its height Mercia extended from the Welsh Border to the East Coast. To commemorate this connection a number of statues depicting Saxon Warriors have been commissioned and are placed on parts of the route.

Be Inspired

The best way to enjoy these routes is to take your time, I am certainly not advocating that it be ridden in one go, or to see who could get the fastest time, although there are plenty of cyclists who could and may even want to do this. Rather I am hoping to inspire you to enjoy the route; to stand and stare, to soak up the landscape; the history; the architecture; its people; cities; towns; villages; flora and fauna. I hope that this guide will be a doorway to a memorable experience, to add enjoyment and meaning to your journey.

The National Cycle Network

The National Cycle Network referred to as 'NCN' is made up of a number of National Cycle Routes referred to as 'NCR' and Regional Routes referred to as 'RR'.

Sustrans

The NCN is pioneered by Sustrans, a charity, the full title for which is Sustainable Transport. The NCN is only a part of what Sustrans sets out to achieve. I cannot give a better overview of the charity then the vision statement as follows:

Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Our vision is a world in which people can choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. Every day we are working on practical, innovative ways of dealing with the transport challenges that affect us all.

Nevertheless the NCN has captured the public imagination more than any of the other activities undertaken by Sustrans; it has grown rapidly, perhaps too rapidly, and as a result the different National Cycle Routes exist more on paper than they do on the ground.

The National Byway

For much of its length NCR 45 is a part of the The National Byway, you will see some reference to this on the signing, although it needs to be said that National Byway signing is even more haphazard than NCR signing!

Finding Your Way

The main methods of navigating National Cycle Routes are by:

• The signs on the ground.
• Sustrans Maps.
• Ordnance Survey Maps.
• On-line maps.
• County Council/Tourism Leaflets.
• Global Positioning Satellite Receivers.
• Guide Books.
• ncr45mercianway.co.uk.

There are problems with all of these methods so it is not always possible to navigate the Route by relying on any one method alone.

The signs on the ground.

There are Official Sustrans metal signs placed by the different County Councils and Sustrans. ‘Temporary Signs’ are placed by Sustrans Rangers. Not every junction is signed. These signs are vulnerable to attack by vandals and sometimes by people who do not like the idea of cycle routes along their roads. The most invidious type of attack is where a sign is turned leading the unsuspecting traveller in the wrong direction.

If you are; have been; or are about to become a sign turner shame on you!

Sustrans Maps.

These are very good but there is not a complete one for NCR45. Sometimes the guidance can be confusing and where changes have happened they can be out of date. They are also very localised so that it can be difficult to have an overview of other access to the Route.

Ordnance Survey Maps.

This is the standard by which I judge all other maps, but when it comes to the NCR they are not much help. OS have got into an annoying habit of showing cycle routes by little green dots not only for the NCN but for every guide and leaflet, the result is utter confusion there is a place at Whixall on 45, where every Lane has green dots and if you follow them you go around in circles! OS maps do not show Street names. It is exorbitantly expensive to buy a licence to use Ordnance Survey mapping on a web site, so you will not find any on here; if you want to know the ins and outs of this follow the campaign by the Guardian Newspaper..

On-line maps.

This is a very good option there are several companies that offer a facility to print OS maps tailored to a chosen area. The print outs are relatively inexpensive and easily updated or replaced if ruined. Sustrans have on-line mapping and this is the definitive NCN guide. These are not so easy to navigate or print but need to be studied together with other material.

County Council/Tourism Leaflets.

You will find a selection of these that are downloadable in ‘Links’ others can only be obtained by post. They are useful for promoting the Route, but cannot be used to find your way along it. They also have information about attractions and services some of which are very far from the Route.

Global Positioning Satellite Receivers.

I have not used these for cycling but the car versions can lead to confusion and can take the unwary in the wrong direction.

Guide Books.

Can have a great deal of detail and lots of useful information they are expensive and easily ruined out on the Route, they can very quickly become out of date.

ncr45mercianway.co.uk.

For these reasons on this web site there will be a written description and junction guides for each 'Section' and 'Leg'. The written description and the Junction Guides are not intended to replace any of the other material but to supplement it and to ensure that you find your way along the Route with ease. To me there is nothing worse than coming upon an unexpected problem such as a very steep hill, a difficult barrier, a very rough or very muddy track, or where the route is not clear. These and many other problems can spoil your day. Being aware in advance will mentally prepare you, and make it easier to overcome these problems. This web site is intended help you to do that and enjoy the Route.

Written Descriptions.

The written descriptions of each 'Section' and 'Leg' will include items of interest; as well as important information. The written descriptions are intended to be updated on a regular basis so if you have any information that should be included please pass it on.

Junction Guides

The junctions in each 'Section' are numbered consecutively from South to North so that each is easily identifiable and connect where each 'Leg' ends and the next starts.The schematic junction guides are easy to print out from your 'browser', to take with you on the Route. 'Junction Guides' are accessed from the 'Leg' pages in each 'Section' by a separate link. The junction guides are prepared by detailing every junction on the ground.

Using the information in this guide should enable you to complete the Route. If you do have any problems finding your way please let me know!

Disclaimer

This guide is offered as an honest and open collection of information about National Cycle Route 45 The Mercian Way. It is published as a unique collation of material on the route not available elsewhere. As such it is inevitable that errors and mistakes will creep in, even though I have done my very best to avoid them. No responsibility can be accepted by anyone for any loss; damage; injury, or other untoward circumstance howsoever caused, arising from its use. You are the sole judge of your own physical and mental abilities, no other can impose the self-discipline required to behave in a way that will keep you safe. Any recommendations are made in good faith but there is no explicit or implied guarantee that services or goods will be satisfactory. Any contracts entered into will be between you and the vendor as ever buyer-beware. At the same time your complaints will be published if you so wish, in such cases a response will be sought from the subject of such and that response will also be published if the subject wishes.