Length miles 7.07 miles
Maximum height 386.49 feet
Minimum Height 197.07 feet
Height ascended 293.75 feet
Height descended 306.76 feet
A beautiful village nestling on the southern slopes of Haughmond Hill, it has many fine buildings, a church and a pub.
The Church is dedicated to St Lucia. Saint Lucy of Syracuse, also known as Saint Lucia, Santa Lucia, or Saint Lukia, was a wealthy young Christian martyr. She is the patron saint of the blind, her Saint day is December 13, the longest night of the year. Lucy was a Christian persecuted during the reign of Diocletian. She would not marry a pagan, so her husband to be, informed on her to the Governor of Syracuse. When the guards went to seize her they were unable to move her even with a team of oxen so they cut her eyes out; even then she was still able to see, and then they stabbed her to death. Her remains are now housed in the church of San Geremia in Venice. In mediaeval art she is often depicted with her eyes removed and on a plate she holds.
The pub is the Corbet Arms.
On the approach from Berwick Wharf 45 joins 81 at the junction by the Corbet Arms the joint route continuing uphill through the village. The centre of the village has a Sustrans sign post but it is unusual in that it is black and white and not the usual colours, the Villagers insisted upon this as they felt that the Sustrans signs were too colourful and not in keeping with this part of the village. Whitchurch is signed and a distance of 30 miles is displayed as is Shrewsbury via the 81. When travelling south it is not apparent from this signing that 45 joins 81 through the village so be aware of this fault with these signs. On leaving the village there is a small industrial estate on the right, adjacent to the road they have preserved an old weigh bridge. There is a long shallow climb from the village getting steeper as the Haughmond Hill Forestry area is reached.
As the top of this climb is reached (70 metres to 117 metres) from Upton Magna views across to the Wrekin open out to the South and are spectacular. The Forestry area makes for a great visit; Cyclists are asked to avoid the all ability (yellow) trail. For more information visit the Forestry Website.
There are cross roads after the road levels out, there is a temporary Sustrans sign on the approach from this direction (none on the other side) - straight on here.
The ruins of Haughmond Abbey can be visited nearby take a left at the cross roads; it is about a mile off the route and after a level stretch past the Forestry car park it is slightly downhill to a junction with the B5062. Turn left here and then a steep downhill along this road to the entrance on the right. This is a very busy road, and in addition there is a lot of quarry traffic around the junction. There are no facilities for cyclists to visit this site. For more information see the English Heritage Web Site
As the road levels out at Haughmond on the ridge, views also open out towards Shawbury you will enjoy a pause here but this road can sometimes be busy with motorised traffic. The next junction is to the right, the route is straight on; there is a temporary Sustrans sign approaching from the north. A downhill section ends at the crossroads over the B5062 (Shrewsbury to Roden). Sustrans Official signs here and are good. Take care as this road is busy and the traffic is fast; there are no warning signs for cyclists or to advise motorists of cyclists crossing.
From the crossroads over the B5062 the road dips then climbs up to the entrance of the Camping and Caravan Club Site ( 72 meters to 91 meters). This was a hill fort in the time of the Cornovii; it is another good place to pause, as the views are terrific; the airfield at Shawbury is clearly visible from here. From this high point the road descends to the next junction a right turn (good official Sustrans signs) for a flat run to Bings Heath.
At Bings Heath there is a right turn (good official Sustrans signs) on the flat to Poynton Grange.
Turn left here (good official Sustrans signs) through Little Wytheford to Shawbury. The road is flat and follows the course of the River Roden until a mile outside of Shawbury where the River veers off to the East.
On entering Shawbury the road is slightly uphill and passes through an estate, most of which used to be Ministry of Defence housing; the route passes the school and the Church. At the junction with the A53 there are adequate Sustrans signs pointing left.
You will see the Elephant and Castle opposite, and to the right a row of shops including the Post Office; a hot food takeaway and T.O. Williams of Wem. Immediately on your right is a Spar Supermarket. If the weather is nice and you have not brought your lunch with you I can assure you that T.O. Williams is the best place to get pastries and rolls, take your purchase with you and enjoy a picnic further along the route at Moreton Corbett. The Elephant and Castle is also excellent for food especially in inclement weather or if you prefer some of your lunch liquid.
Be careful at this junction of the A53, it is very busy; the next junction is governed by traffic lights at which a right turn is taken onto the B5063. Oddly just after this right turn there is a Sustrans sign with distances. This leg finishes here to continue go to the next leg Shawbury to Prees Railway Station.
To find out more contact Mike Clarke at email mikeclarke@ncr45mercianway.co.uk
