We have had an enjoyable stay at the Old Orchard CL but it is almost over and tomorrow we are heading home for a couple of days before setting off for a week at a newly opened CL near Oldbury-on-Severn. This being our last day in the area we decide to hop in the car and drive a bit further than we would normally so we can walk up Titterstone Clee Hill.
The starting point for our walk is the Clee Hill Viewpoint car park beside the A4117 on the edge of Cleehill (Grid Ref: SO948753). Leaving the car park we walk on the pavement into Cleehill and just after passing the Golden Cross pub we turn right into Golden Cross Lane.
We keep with this lane as it heads steadily uphill and then after passing barns turn to the left along a path which follows a broad track passing disused quarry buildings.
Staying with this path we reach colourful housing built for quarry workers and turn right to continue uphill on a minor road.
After a few hundred yards we leave the road and take a footpath on the left which goes over a ladder stile beside a gate and continues along a track. In front of us rises the summit of Titterstone Clee Hill.
The track leads past cottages and then the footpath goes along a path into a field.
We then cross Benson’s Brook on a footbridge.
Staying with the footpath we reach the Titterstone Incline.
We head onto the incline and follow this uphill towards the old quarry works.
Over the years this hill has been quarried and mined to a great extent and there are a number of old quarry buildings around.
We follow a footpath which is the route of the Shropshire Way, this a 200-mile long distance path that does a figure of eight through the County so can be done as a north or south circular walk. This section leads around the edge of the quarry towards the distinctive radar stations. The larger is used by the Civil Aviation Authority as part of the National Air Traffic Control Service and the smaller one by the Met Office as a weather radar station.
The path leads us to the Ordnance Survey Trig Pillar on the summit of the hill, this is the 263rd trig I have bagged.
At 1,749 feet Titterstone Clee Hill is the third highest point in Shropshire, with only Brown Clee Hill and Stiperstones being higher. The views from here are expansive and we take a while to take it all in.
The top of this hill was the location of a hill fort in the Bronze and Iron Age and close to the summit is a collection of large boulders known as the Giant’s Chair.
We descend from the summit on the Shropshire Way path heading north. It is a steep descent as we head towards Callowgate.
At a boundary fence we turn right and follow a path to reach a minor road at Cleetongate. Now we turn right and walk along this road to reach Cleeton St Mary and pass the village church.
Continuing through the village we reach Catherton Common and stay parallel to the road until we almost reach a junction with a B road. Now we turn right and follow a track leading up Magpie Hill.
After passing cottages the path continues uphill and then levels out a bit as we pass disused quarries near Whatsill.
We stay with the track as it heads in a westerly direction to extensive quarry works. This quarry opened in the late 1980’s, roughly fifty years after the other quarries on the hill closed down. I understand the need for materials for road and building construction but I am always saddened to see the destruction of the landscape.
Our route is now straight forward we follow the track around the quarry and then continue on this main driveway to reach the A4117 where we cross the road and turn right to walk over access land back to the car park. Before leaving we stop to look at the vista from the viewpoint.
Our wander about has covered just over eight and a half miles and to see all the industrial archaeology relating to the quarries and mines has been interesting. Now it is time to head back to the caravan and prepare for our trip home tomorrow.
You can view this 8.5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Explorer – 203 – Ludlow
5th July 2021
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.