I am leaving the Isle of Man for a few days to attend the Flying Gate weekend in September. My plan is to catch the ferry to Liverpool. Train to Chester and initially cycle from Chester to Shrewsbury along the NCN 45, and maybe onto Hereford or nearby the following day. Has anyone got experience of this route or can suggest an alternative. Suggestion for accomodation would be useful too. This depends on legs and weather so may just catch a train but would prefer to cycle.
Thanks
NCN 45 Chester to Shrewsbury
Re: NCN 45 Chester to Shrewsbury
I've followed this route between Chester and Prees (but heading from south to north). It's a v. nice ride, and signposting is generally very good, with a couple of exceptions: I got a bit lost coming through Whitchurch (though I have a feeling I might just have missed a sign somewhere), and the signposting in Chester itself is very poor (though the route just goes down the canal towpath, so once you've found that then it's not too hard to follow, I suppose). The Cheshire Cycleway covers similar (but not identical) ground between Chester and Wrenbury -- not sure I've come to a decision on which (if either) route's superior, though!
There's a very good NCN45 website: http://www.ncr45mercianway.co.uk/
There's a very good NCN45 website: http://www.ncr45mercianway.co.uk/
Re: NCN 45 Chester to Shrewsbury
I have not ridden from Chester, but I would be tempted to just follow the lanes to the west of the A41 starting with the B5130 to Churton. You should be able to pick your way along country lanes all the way to Shrewsbury without having to do more than cross an A road. There are not many hills in that part of the world so it will be a leisurely ride.
South of Shrewsbury there are lots of hills and the A49 is a very busy road and not very wide in places. Depending on where you want to visit on your way to Hereford, there are lovely routes either side of the A49 but there will be one or two steeper climbs. On the westerly side, I would take the small road (no number on my map) that is between the A49 and the A488. Follow this road which is gently undulating but generally climbing to Castle Pulverbatch, after which there is a nasty steep hill with a kick in the tail. This road runs between the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones and has wonderful views as you climb. After that climb is back down hill for a few miles, pass the village of Wentnor and you will come to a small bridge with a sharp left turn immediately after and after a half mile or so turn left by a house on its own. Follow this lane ignoring first right turn and at end turn right which will bring you out onto the A489 halfway between Lydham and Plowden. Turn left here and after a short while turn right to Eyton. The landscape becomes lumpy again but nothing to bad. Look at the map and you want to head for the right angle bend in the B4385. Stay on the road all the way to the B4368, great views and a bit of a climb, but at the junction is a lovely Tea Room, Wheelright Tea Rooms I think but may be wrong, great place to stop for a cuppa and home made cake. Back on bike, turn right onto the B4368 and then turn left back onto the B4385, staying on this road and follow to Leintwardine which is a pretty village with pubs and local butcher for a pastie or pork pie to keep you going. Out of the village follow the A4110 all the way to Hereford. It can be a busy at times, but is a nice road to ride on and there are no more lumpy bits to get over.
On the Eastern side, take the A49 south of Shrewsbury through Bayston Hill and a few hundred yards after leaving the speed restriction, turn left to Condover. The A49 at this point is slow and you are not on it for long. Stay on the road as it passes through Condover and head to Ryton taking the left fork by the bench. Follow this single track lane through the village, passing The Fox pub on the right and go to end, all flat. At end in Longnor, turn left and after half mile at cross roads turn right. After a few miles you come to a water or electricity place on the left and soon after that the road goes round to the left, but there is a small lane that forks right (straight on really) so follow this small lane to the end and then cross the A49 and follow road to Church Stretton, though the A49 is nice and wide at this point if you want to take that instead, but the smaller road is nicer. From here you have a couple of choices, put up with the main road which becomes narrow again and twisty and not much fun or do some grunting up hills. I would be inclined to pick up the B4371 towards Much Wenlock, but you don't go that far. Climb out of Stretton to Hope Bowdler then follow signs for Ticklerton, very pretty hamlet, then lanes to Craven Arms. There will be some climbing along this stretch as you are going over Wenlock Edge, but is lovely country. From Craven Arms, which does not any redeeming features, the A49 is wide and easy with plenty of room outside the white to cycle on as far as Onibury. Before the level crossing, turn left and follow road round to right for quiet lane (saw a huge bright green grass snake sunning itself in the middle of the road yesterday) which brings you out by the race course, turn left over golf course and the right back to the A49 for a short stretch before going into Ludlow for lunch. You have a couple of choices again, ride the A49, cross the A49 to Caynham and pick your way down the lanes to Hereford which I did last week. A nice ride but rather undulating. Or, head out of Ludlow on the B4361 which you could follow all the way to Leominster but if it was me, just after going over the bridge I would turn right and climb up through Mortimer Forrest, take in the stunning view of Ludlow Castle and at the top where the trees have been cleared, marvel at a view most of your ride so far. This road goes to Wigmore and is very nice riding. In Wigmore turn left onto the A4110 and follow to Hereford as above.
Hope this helps and depending on when you are doing it I would be happy to join you on the Shrewsbury - Hereford leg so long as you do not want to stick to the A49 all the way.
Michael
South of Shrewsbury there are lots of hills and the A49 is a very busy road and not very wide in places. Depending on where you want to visit on your way to Hereford, there are lovely routes either side of the A49 but there will be one or two steeper climbs. On the westerly side, I would take the small road (no number on my map) that is between the A49 and the A488. Follow this road which is gently undulating but generally climbing to Castle Pulverbatch, after which there is a nasty steep hill with a kick in the tail. This road runs between the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones and has wonderful views as you climb. After that climb is back down hill for a few miles, pass the village of Wentnor and you will come to a small bridge with a sharp left turn immediately after and after a half mile or so turn left by a house on its own. Follow this lane ignoring first right turn and at end turn right which will bring you out onto the A489 halfway between Lydham and Plowden. Turn left here and after a short while turn right to Eyton. The landscape becomes lumpy again but nothing to bad. Look at the map and you want to head for the right angle bend in the B4385. Stay on the road all the way to the B4368, great views and a bit of a climb, but at the junction is a lovely Tea Room, Wheelright Tea Rooms I think but may be wrong, great place to stop for a cuppa and home made cake. Back on bike, turn right onto the B4368 and then turn left back onto the B4385, staying on this road and follow to Leintwardine which is a pretty village with pubs and local butcher for a pastie or pork pie to keep you going. Out of the village follow the A4110 all the way to Hereford. It can be a busy at times, but is a nice road to ride on and there are no more lumpy bits to get over.
On the Eastern side, take the A49 south of Shrewsbury through Bayston Hill and a few hundred yards after leaving the speed restriction, turn left to Condover. The A49 at this point is slow and you are not on it for long. Stay on the road as it passes through Condover and head to Ryton taking the left fork by the bench. Follow this single track lane through the village, passing The Fox pub on the right and go to end, all flat. At end in Longnor, turn left and after half mile at cross roads turn right. After a few miles you come to a water or electricity place on the left and soon after that the road goes round to the left, but there is a small lane that forks right (straight on really) so follow this small lane to the end and then cross the A49 and follow road to Church Stretton, though the A49 is nice and wide at this point if you want to take that instead, but the smaller road is nicer. From here you have a couple of choices, put up with the main road which becomes narrow again and twisty and not much fun or do some grunting up hills. I would be inclined to pick up the B4371 towards Much Wenlock, but you don't go that far. Climb out of Stretton to Hope Bowdler then follow signs for Ticklerton, very pretty hamlet, then lanes to Craven Arms. There will be some climbing along this stretch as you are going over Wenlock Edge, but is lovely country. From Craven Arms, which does not any redeeming features, the A49 is wide and easy with plenty of room outside the white to cycle on as far as Onibury. Before the level crossing, turn left and follow road round to right for quiet lane (saw a huge bright green grass snake sunning itself in the middle of the road yesterday) which brings you out by the race course, turn left over golf course and the right back to the A49 for a short stretch before going into Ludlow for lunch. You have a couple of choices again, ride the A49, cross the A49 to Caynham and pick your way down the lanes to Hereford which I did last week. A nice ride but rather undulating. Or, head out of Ludlow on the B4361 which you could follow all the way to Leominster but if it was me, just after going over the bridge I would turn right and climb up through Mortimer Forrest, take in the stunning view of Ludlow Castle and at the top where the trees have been cleared, marvel at a view most of your ride so far. This road goes to Wigmore and is very nice riding. In Wigmore turn left onto the A4110 and follow to Hereford as above.
Hope this helps and depending on when you are doing it I would be happy to join you on the Shrewsbury - Hereford leg so long as you do not want to stick to the A49 all the way.
Michael
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old blue eyes
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- Joined: 30 Apr 2008, 10:15am
Re: NCN 45 Chester to Shrewsbury
Thank you Pal and Michael in responding my request. I am hoping to get from Chester to Shrewsbury on Thursday 3rd September and then from Shrewsbury to Hereford on Friday the 4th. Michael your company from Shrewsbury to Hereford would be most Welcome if you are available. Thanks again Eddy.