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Sunday 26th July 2026
Walk Grade: B
Leave from the Abbey at 08.30. Walk start around 10.00.
Distance to start: 69 miles. Journey time: approx’ 85 minutes
This requires a bit of a drive but I think well worth it. While not being at all demanding it compensates by offering plenty of places of interest for for us to visit.
Distance: 12 miles with a total of 1332’ of ascent.
While being a countryside walk, we will have short stops on the way around to take in some of the more interesting features. These will include the grounds of Staunton Harold Hall, to include the stable block which has been converted to shops, café etc.
Breedon on the Hill Church, for its views, box pews and famous Saxon carvings.
Melbourne:
Melbourne Hall, which was the home of Lord Melbourne, who was Prime Minister 1835 to 1841. We will visit the courtyard and no doubt admire the 20 acre mill pool.
ST. Michael and St. Mary’s church, which has been described as ‘one of the finest Norman churches in England’ and as ‘a cathedral in miniature’.
Staunton Harold Reservoir with its lookout tower is often in close proximity as our walk circumnavigates it, albeit quite some distance away, at times.
Calke Abbey. A National Trust property with Georgian house, gardens and deer park. We shall visit the courtyard, which offers the usual facilities and possibly some of the outbuildings, which are well worth exploring but may no longer be open to the public (closed when I recently visited but it was late in the day).
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Toilet facilities are available, at least four times during the course of the route but not at the start. They are however, fairly evenly spread, with the first being available approx.’ 30 mins after the walk start.
Distance: 12 miles
Coordinator: David Jakeman - 07864 708280
Sunday 2nd August 2026
Walk Grade: C
Little known area to the west of Hay-on-Wye.
Leave the Abbey at 8am. (61 miles/ 90 mins drive).
Elevated undulating National Trust common land, farm tracks, meadows and woodland. Extensive views throughout including Bannau Brycheiniog, plus a hidden away church linked to Francis Kilvert.
10.3 miles. 1450 feet ascent
Distance: 10 miles
Coordinator: Liz Reeves - 07968 075098
Sunday 9th August 2026
Walk Grade: C
Leave from Abbey at 08.15. Walk start around 09.00
Craven Arms to Ludlow via the Shropshire Way: https://shropshireway.org.uk/application/files/6015/3312/8923/SW-5_CA_to_Ludlow_1.pdf
This isn't a hill walk as such, but there is just over 1000 feet of ascent. We'll walk past Stokesay and Ludlow castles and should have time for a look around Ludlow's impressive church. We return on the train from Ludlow to Craven Arms (at 14.55 or 15.17, or later if you want to explore Ludlow further). Remember to bring your Railcard if you have one. A full price ticket is £5.80 but TfW will often let you buy an advance ticket less the 30 mins before departure time (you need to buy it on your phone)
11 miles and 1025 feet
Distance: 11 miles
Coordinator: Stephen Lewis - 07932 493618
Sunday 16th August 2026
Walk Grade: A
This is a joint walk with Shrewsbury Mountaineering Club (with each Club abiding by its own rules).
Leave from the Abbey at 07:15 - we will then proceed to the Co-op at Bank Farm Road for 7:30 to car share with any SMC members who may be coming along. The early start is because the parking areas fill up quickly at weekends and its about a 1 3/4 hour drive.
From the village of Tanygrisiau the route goes up the old quarry track to the Rhosyd quarries then carries on up an old incline to the lower slopes of Moelwyn Mawr which is the first summit. The route then continues down to a col and then up over a smaller peak before again descending to a col before ascending to Moelwyn Bach. We then retrace our steps back down to the second col and descend to a dam where we pick up a minor back to the start. This is a walk with great views in every direction - there is a fair bit of up and down and the some of the paths are quite rocky.
Distance: 7 miles
Ascent/Descent: 800m
Grade A due to very small amount of scrambling on the descent from Craigysgafn.
Mark Bayliss: theflashingblade@proton.me
Distance: 7 miles
Coordinator: Mark Bayliss - theflashingblade@proton.me
Sunday 23rd August 2026
Walk Grade: C
Leave from Abbey at 09.15. Walk start by 10.00
This will be a simple, shortish 6.5 miles/1200' walk from Little Stretton, essentially going up Ashes Hollow, to Pole Bank, along to Pole Cottage and then back down to Little Stretton via Small Batch. According to OS the walking time is 3.5 hours, so with a leisurely pace and stops say 4 - 4.5 hours.
We plan to go to the Green Dragon pub after the walk at around 14.00 - 14.30. Hopefully the weather will be nice and we can go in the garden.
If any members know of any past-members who may like to join as guests for the walk or come along to the Green Dragon at 14.30, please feel free to invite them.
Distance: 6.5 miles
Coordinator: John Miles - 07800 913467
Sunday 30th August 2026
Walk Grade: -
Bromlow area - details to follow
Distance:
Coordinator: Rosemary Wilcox - 07907 699215
Sunday 6th September 2026
Walk Grade: -
Friday to Monday near Askrigg in the Yorkshire Dales
Distance:
Coordinator: John Miles - 07800 913467
Sunday 13th September 2026
Walk Grade: -
Date taken - details to follow
Distance:
Coordinator: David Jakeman - 07864 708280
Sunday 20th September 2026
Walk Grade: B
Leave from Abbey at 08.30. Driving time around 40 minutes. Walk start around 09.30
St Oswald’s Trail (around Oswestry). It is nearly 12 miles with 1161’ of ascent including the Hill Fort. It is a lovely walk, although maybe not as many hills as some would wish for!
The walk will take about 5 hours + stops for elevenses and picnic lunch.
Distance: 12 miles
Coordinator: Judith Griffiths - 07785 188819
Sunday 27th September 2026
Walk Grade: -
Whitchurch area - details to follow
Distance:
Coordinator: Liz Wright - 07804 612318
Most walks are for a full day of 6 to 8 hours, and are graded as follows:
C - walks that, while often involving mountains, are usually on obvious footpaths and with moderate gradients. This grade also covers lowland walks, and would not normally exceed 12 miles.
B - Mountain or moorland walks which don't include scrambles.
A - Any walk including a scramble.
For Sunday walks, we meet at north side of Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury (200 m beyond the Peach Tree), at times shown above. We'll see how many cars are required, and who's happy to drive, then travel to the walk start. People wishing to meet at the walk start may do so if agreed with the walk leader.