Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Shropshire countryside, Mynd House Bed & Breakfast offers not just a place to rest, but a charming retreat offering a perfect blend of comfort and tranquillity. Located in the quaint village of Little Stretton, Shropshire, our charming B&B serves as an ideal starting point for explorations into the stunning surroundings.
There are many enjoyable walks around the Long Mynd and the Shropshire Hills, here is the third walk of our monthly series.
WALK 3 – THE LONGMYND – via Medlicott, Bridges, Ratlinghope & Wild Moor
From the B&B, turn right to the Ragleth Inn, then right again to the T-Junction and right yet again to the footbridge at the bottom of Ashes Hollow – indicated by a marker post.
Go across the campsite to a stile at the far end, and follow the well-defined, though not too badly worn path, following – and from time to time, crossing – the stream.
About a mile and a half from the start of Ashes Hollow the higher rocky prominence of Long Synalds will be seen ahead, and the stream divides to right and left. We bear left, but, although the path follows the stream closely, a better way is to climb the rocky rising ground immediately ahead, when a path at a higher level will be seen, bearing left like the one below, but with much more pleasant views.
The two paths converge shortly after, and, following another half mile or a little more, the way bears right at another junction of the streams. Another 1000 yards, and the road (The Burway) will be reached – at Boiling Well, where a marker post, indicates “Medlicott”.
Go along the track to Medlicott which bears right, off the road leading southwards. 400 yards along, take a track off to the left, which is protected from traffic by wooden bollards, and go upwards to Pole Bank (516m) the highest point on the Long Mynd. Good views all round.
After visiting Pole Bank, and retracing steps to the Boiling Well-Medlicott track, turn left to Medlicott and continue along this track via Manor Farm, Coates Farm and Onny Bank Farm to Bridges. Refreshments are available at the Bridges Inn.
Then follow the road (signed Church Stretton 5) for 600 yards, and just before a bridge crossing a stream (Darnford Brook) go over a stile on the left, and along path (a bit muddy sometimes) by the side of the brook.
After 400 yards, it goes right, across the brook and comes out on the road at Ratlinghope Manor House.
Turn left along road to Ratlinghope (all the books say it is pronounced “Ratchup”, but the occupants of the Manor House insist that it is pronounced as it is written).
The small church, hidden in the backwoods, is worth a visit – it is mentioned in one of the bestselling stories of this part of the world “A Night in the Snow or A Struggle for Life” by the Rev. E Donald Carr, written in 1865. Also, it has two fonts, one of which came from Alderbury, Salisbury, in 1898, and the recently discarded heating system was once used in Windsor Castle.
Return along the road, and after 400 yards or so, take the road left up to the Long Mynd signed ‘Belmore and Church Stretton’. At the cattle grid, go left off the road onto the moorland, and follow the fence keeping on in the same direction (ESE) when it comes to an end.
Follow the broad track which eventually peters out and becomes almost invisible in the heather. A few more yards, however, and you join the double track (The Port Way) mentioned in Walk 4, going off to the left, and taking you to the top of Motts Road and Cardingmill Valley with its National Trust Coffee shop and toilets, and on to Church Stretton, returning to Little Stretton by lane or bus.
Walking Distance: 11 miles. Total Ascent: 1750 feet
We’d love to inspire you with more ideas when you visit our cosy hillside bed & breakfast in Little Stretton. Call us on 01694 722 212 for availability and prices.
