Aston on Clun and Hopesay Hill, Shropshire. B walk. "Keep Fit for a Fiver" (BOOKING ESSENTIAL)

B WALK DESCRIPTION: Walk starts at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre at Craven Arms.  Leaving the urban environment behind we cross good field tracks to the north-west and a quiet lane to reach the very attractive village of Cheney Longville.  A stream which would have once supplied the local mill passes through the village alongside a varied mix of buildings.  We make a steady easy ascent to enter a wood and follow a track initially alongside a woodland stream, move away from that to reach a minor lane.  We cross the lane and make an ascent to the top of Hopesay Hill. At this point we are right on top of a wide ridge so we can look behind us, to the front of us, all around us to take in magnificent views in all directions. We walk along an excellent grassy path near the top of the hill keeping our height and savour the views.  Plenty of photo opps! We eventually descend to the curiously named Perry Gutter – a little valley – and carry on southward following the Shropshire Way through varied terrain which continues along a wide grassy path to Aston on Clun.  This path along with Hopesay Hill has to be a highlight of the walk.  It follows the length of a long valley and keeps a high vantage till we get to Aston on Clun.  A short lane and we are at the Kangaroo Inn for a well-earned drink. The remainder of the walk follows field tracks through sheep pastures, passing Sibdon Carwood church again following the Shropshire Way to the end of the walk at the Discovery Centre. Walk distance: 10 miles. Total ascent: 1000 ft approx. Picnic lunch and pub stop later. Leader Brenda Cameron. The fare is £5.