There are several circular walks, and Whitcliffe can be used as a pleasant and very different way of walking to town, particularly if you are approaching from the south.
Walkers can approach the common from the eastern end at Ludford : take the road to Wigmore after crossing the Teme via Ludford Bridge, and then head up the flight of stone steps and follow the path.
Walkers can also access the common via Dinham Bridge : follow the route from Ludlow Castle downhill, over Dinham bridge and take the entrance immediately on your left. This offers three choices of route:
- The Breadwalk (so-called because they paid the men who dug it with bread) which follows the River Bank to Ludford. There are two flights of steps at the Ludford end, the remainder is flat;
- The Donkey Steps (uphill and slightly to your left) which begins a fairly steep climb and the choice of two circular routes (turning left-handed takes you to Ludford and back via the Breadwalk, or turning right-handed takes you over Whitcliffe Common and back down the Steps you can see in front of you to Dinham Bridge.
- Alternatively you can take the right-hand set of steps and then follow the circular route left-handed, either to Ludford or take the shorter route back down the Donkey Steps. The Donkey steps were once used by donkeys to transport iron ore from the Clee Hills to Burrington.
If you approach by car, you may find it more convenient to park on one of the three lay-bys adjacent to The Common and join one of the circular walks from there. At the top of the Common, and next to the largest lay-by, you will find a toposcope from which you can locate many of Shropshire’s major hills as well as gain a fine view of the town and castle.
Drivers can also find a car park at the southern end of the common, accessed via a gate on the opposite side of the road to the toposcope. Around this car park we have created several paths following a circular route through this wildlife refuge. Please stay on these paths and avoid disturbing wildlife.
The views from the common would not be possible were it not for the regular coppicing and maintenance carried out by the Friends of Whitcliffe who rely completely on contributions from members and grants to carry out the work.
THE BREAD WALK
This is the town’s only riverside walk. It was built in the 1850s by unemployed supposedly paid in bread (hence the name) to ensure their families and not local pubs benefited!. Visible on this walk are some of the rock faces for which Whitcliffe is internationally famous for the exposures of Silurian rocks. They are geologically entitled Whitcliffian by the work of Murchison. A family of otters are regularly seen playing around Mill Street Weir where a fish pass – a singular example of this design – is installed. Leaping Salmon can be seen here in November when returning to spawn upstream in Mid Wales.
As you walk along the Breadwalk you will notice some fossil casts. you can find out more about these casts here.
Another delightful walk is around the castle and along the River Teme using the Breadwalk. This dog friendly route is available as a leaflet from the Visitor Information Centre in the Market Square or you can download a copy here. This walk is one of a series prepared by Ludlow Parish Path Partnership Group.
THE DONKEY STEPS AND PACK HORSE PATH
This is part of the route stretching from the entrance at Dinham to the top of the common, It was established in the 1800s for transporting iron ore from the Clee Hill to Burrington where it was crushed for use at Blists Hill in Ironbridge. The original steps up the steep dingle are still visible. Restoration work has recently taken place along this path.
THE TRENCHES
Situated at the top of the common alongside the road to Wigmore are some long trenches. It is thought they might have been dug by the Parliamentarian Army during its siege of the castle in the Civil War. Or they might just be part of an ancient carriageway.
TOPOSCOPE
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This is sited on the large recreational area at the top of the common which gives the best views of town and countryside. Graphic design by Matthew Lloyd https://matthewlloyd.design
The Royal Geographical Society has launched a walk in Ludlow as part of its “Discovering Britain” series. This walk tells the story of the British landscape, focusing on geographical themes.
This 3½ mile walk around the town, created by local resident Prof Michael Rosenbaum, tells the dramatic story of how the landscape was shaped by ice and water. The walk is self-guided and presented in both audio format and written format; both can be downloaded for free from the Discovering Britain website: http://www.discoveringbritain.org/walks/region/west-midlands/ludlow.html The walk starts at the viewpoint on Whitcliffe Common to give walkers an overview of the landscape.
Improved Paths for Walkers
Work can be seen where paths have been strengthened to protect them from falling away. Look for railway sleepers on the paths heading from the middle common to a raised walkway at the top of the Donkey Steps path. Look for sleepers on the path leading from the top of the common to Mortimer Trail. You will also find a new Donkey Steps walkway, with a hand rail to assist where water drainage is a regular problem.
IF YOU’VE ENJOYED YOUR WALK, OR EVEN JUST THE VIEW, WHY NOT CONSIDER JOINING OUR GROUP. For as little as £10 annually we’ll send you a newsletter and put your money to good use on regular maintenance of the walks and woods so that you can enjoy them again and again.