Length miles 6.98 miles
Maximum height 268.98 feet
Minimum Height 154.06 feet
Height ascended 387.85 feet
Height descended 301.84 feet
NCR 81 comes into Shrewsbury town centre over the Porthill footbridge and enters the Quarry Park. It is here that this leg of the Shrewsbury Chester Section starts. One might say from the river Severn to the river Dee. There are several car parks near to the start and the railway station is a short distance away. The river makes a large loop around the town so that eventually you arrive back in the same area as the Castle and the railway station.
The first part of this leg is delightful as most of the way it follows the River Severn. Keep the Severn on your right as you leave Porthill bridge and enjoy the company of Britain's longest river if only for a short while. The Quarry Park is a wonderful backdrop, make time for a look at the Dingle at the top of the hill; this garden was made famous by Percy Thrower. The imposing building on the opposite bank is the Shrewsbury school. Next pass under the Kingsland bridge, you have to pay a toll to pass over this bridge, there is cycle access. After leaving the Quarry and after passing under the Kingsland bridge the way narrows but then opens out into a quiet garden with a monument. This area called Greyfriars, also has a footbridge crossing the river to Longden Coleham. The river becomes wider as the Rea Brook joins it from the west. Between here and the Weir, the cycle way is prone to flooding, so make sure to check with the Met Office before your visit. You will now see the magnificent English bridge in front of you. There is access from this bridge but there are a number of steps to negotiate. If you want to visit Shrewsbury Abbey and do not want to drag your bike up steps I suggest that you exit at Greyfriars and approach the bridge by road.
Take care when passing under the English Bridge as the surface is not good and there is a height restriction where the arch of the bridge curves. Some fine views of the river now open out and you will see the railway station built over the river in the distance. The large building at the top of the slope on the left was the Royal Shrewsbury Infirmary and is now private flats. The lane on the left by the barriers is St Mary's Water Lane, it is very steep but gives access to the shops in Castle Street, and Pride Hill. At the junction of those two streets is High Cross where public executions were carried out.
The path under the Railway Station is very rough but do pause here and have a look at this splendid example of Victorian engineering. The story of Shrewsbury Railway Station is fascinating. After passing the Prison Gardens and under the footbridge we see the magnificent Weir. There are some benches and public toilets here. It is very hypnotic to sit and watch the water cascade over the weir.
From the Weir a lane is taken (Sydney Avenue) this is open to motorized traffic and has traffic calming humps. At the end of this lane the route leaves the river and after a short diversion through a housing estate the old Shrewsbury canal is joined. It is well signed but the small scruffy alley between the houses can be difficult to make out, the first time I travelled along here I ended up on someone's drive! There is a tunnel under the Telford Way bridge, sadly this is a place where urban debris such as broken glass can make life difficult. After the tunnel there is a slope to the junction with the old canal path, turn right.
The Shrewsbury canal was built in 1797 it went to Trench a distance of 17 miles and had 11 locks and one tunnel. An inclined plane was built at Trench. The Canal was not connected to the rest of the network until 1835 in that year a branch was built from the Birmingham & Liverpool Junction Canal at Norbury Junction, through Newport, to connect with the Shrewsbury Canal at Wappenshall. To find out more visit Shrewsbury to Newport Canal Society
The surface on this section was renewed in 2007 and is now in a reasonable condition. This is a very pleasant cycle route indeed but at times there can be a lot of dog walkers so do keep an eye out for the inevitable droppings. There are some benches if you want to have a rest a brew or just a few peaceful moments. There are some good views over the Severn where there is a gap in the tree line.
Cross the lane at Pimley Manor and under the Shrewsbury by-pass to the end at Uffington Lane. There is certainly no shortage of signs here. Follow the signs to the right onto the road to Uffington.
The road is slightly downhill to Holy Trinity Church on the right and then uphill past the Corbet Arms, not to be confused with the Pub of the same name in Upton Magna, to the next junction turn left following the Sustrans signs. It is now a long uphill to Upton Magna passing one signed junction . Make sure that you take time along here, as the views over Shrewsbury are quite superb.
Views over Shrewsbury between Uffington and Upton Magna.© Mike Clarke
To find out more contact Mike Clarke at email mikeclarke@ncr45mercianway.co.uk
