Castles of Shropshire Cycle Tour – Day1 Telford to Knighton

Road Cycling
Jun 01
2019

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£10.00
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A 2 day, 166km (105 mile) cycle tour with hills.

A two-day, 165km (103 mile) cycle tour around Shropshire visiting a selection of it’s many historical castles.  There will be cycling, castles and cake.

The starting point of this venture is atop the historical Iron Bridge in the apply named Ironbridge on the Saturday morning.  If arriving on the Friday night, there are plenty of accommodation choices nearby including two YHAs.

Saturday’s 90km journey takes us from Ironbridge to Knighton via Ludlow and 5 castles along route.  They are:

@19km - Acton Burnell Castle

It was built between 1284 and 1293 by Bishop Burnell, Edward I's Lord Chancellor, and Parliaments were held here twice, in 1283 and 1285. By 1420, the castle was abandoned, and it was allowed to decay while a new house, Acton Burnell Hall, was built beside it. Nonetheless, the castle remains an impressive example of a medieval fortified manor house”.  Entrance is free.  Very brief visit.

@45km - Stokesay Castle

One of my favourites and according to English Heritage “the finest and best-preserved fortified medieval manor house in England”.  Entrance is £8.30 or free with your English Heritage membership (spend your Tesco clubcard points otherwise £56 for a year).  “Stokesay Castle was constructed at the end of the 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, who at the time was one of the richest men in England. It remains a treasure by-passed by time, one of the best places to visit in England to experience what medieval life was like”. We will spend enough time here for a cup of tea and a zip around the castle. 

@60km - Ludlow Castle

Ludlow Castle was probably founded by Walter de Lacy after the Norman conquest and was one of the first stone castles to be built in England”.  Entrance is £6.  Lunch will be in Ludlow, you can either grab a sandwich and zoom around the castle or get some fish and chips and loiter on a bench.

@74km - Wigmore Castle

Wigmore was one of many castles built close to the England–Wales border after the Norman Conquest. Founded in 1067 by William Fitz Osbern, it was a major centre of power for over 500 years, and played host to several kings and queens. It was held by the Mortimer family from about 1075 to 1425, when it passed to the Crown. The castle fell into ruin after the Civil War.”  Entrance is free.  Brief visit.

@90km - Knighton Castle and Bryn Y Castell

Not in Shropshire, and best described as a mound.  We can wave at it on our way to the pub.

We will spend Saturday night in Knighton.  Don’t forget to book your own accommodation.  There are plenty of places to choose from, most bookable through Booking.com.  If you have a friend share a room;

We will hopefully meet for dinner in The Horse and Jockey for around 8pm.  The venison was lovely.  I will organise booking a table and pre-ordering nearer the time.

You can view the route here: https://www.komoot.com/tour/55071791?ref=wtd 
I can send you as GPX file upon request.  

If one day of my company is enough there is a direct train back to Shrewsbury.

Day 2 here:

https://www.outdoorlads.com/events/castles-shropshire-cycle-tour-day2-knighton-shrews-190602 

Keep in touch

Want to hear more about what we're up to? Then join us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/groups/OutdoorLadsCycling

We also have a Strava group:

www.strava.com/clubs/275243

 

Any questions send me a direct message - the website never tells me if you comment below.

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