The
Blue Remembered Hills of Shropshire |
|
 View over the Long Mynd |
 Visitors on the Long Mynd |
 Devils Chair on the Stiperstones |
 Shadows on Offa's Dyke |
Shropshire is built on rocks from 11 out of the 13 known periods of geology – the smallest area in the world to boast so many.
It is difficult to believe that 420 million years ago, a good deal of what is now Shropshire was 4,000 miles away, south of the Equator, several fathoms down beneath the sea. This is when the mineral-rich Stiperstones and limestones around the south were created. The clay, gravel and sand in the north were deposited by the glaciers.
In the shallow subtropical waters, the skeletons of corals, sea lilies and sponges formed a reef. This reef became Wenlock Edge – the finest escarpment in all England , and a popular walking venue for those who like to get amongst nature. If you like orchids, Wenlock Edge grows nine.
To the north of Wenlock Edge, you’ll find the Wrekin a curious legendary hill that dominates the landscape around central Shropshire. For the Shropshire natives it is a symbol of home. From the top you can see fifteen counties.
With the sound of redstarts, buzzards and skylarks for our walkers, cyclists and riders to enjoy, you'll want to discover the romantic beauty of Caer Caradoc, the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones. The hills of South Shropshire are one of the few remaining rural idylls and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (A.O.N.B.).
As the Ice Age reluctantly gave way to global warming, the melting glaciers cut the Ironbridge Gorge with the River Severn, and gave Shropshire our own little Lake District around Ellesmere – a haven for wildlife.
The River Severn, Britian’s longest river, meanders its way from over the border in Wales, through Shrewsbury, our almost-an-island county town, through the world heritage site of Ironbridge, to picturesque Bridgnorth, perched on top of a sandstone cliff, which Charles I called “The finest view in all my Kingdom”.
It is on this heady cocktail of rock and fossil, pre & post-Cambrian, Caboniferous and Silurian, Red Sandstones and more, that Shropshire blossoms and blooms with such diversity and intensity.
In the 9th century Offa built his Dyke – a vain attempt to quell the marauding Welsh and now the longest monument in Britain . You can enjoy lots of short circular walks taking in the hills, forts and castles on the way.
Speaking of castles, Shropshire has always lived in interesting times. Our stormy history has left us with a wonderful littering of castles and abbeys, put to the sword again and again.
We can claim 32 castles in all, with Ludlow, Stokesay and Clun being perhaps the finest. Click the link to find out more about our Shropshire Castles
Useful links for those that want to find out more about our geology are the Shropshire Geological Society and Shropshire Rocks.
Maps covering Shropshire's rocks can also be obtained from the British Geological Survey. Map's include:
E122, E137, E138 - North Shropshire
E151, E152 - Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Ironbridge
E165, E166, E180, E181 - South Shropshire
E167 - Bridgnorth
