From the castle to the gutters

There are wonderful views to enjoy from the aptly named View Edge, while other highlights include the paths through Brandhill Gutter and Aldon Gutter.

These might not sound very salubrious, but don't be put off by the names: gutter is just local dialect for the sort of narrow, steep-sided valley more often known as a dingle.

However lovely the landscape, it has a serious rival in the shape of the almost impossibly picturesque Stokesay Castle, which isn't really a castle at all.

It's a fortified manor house and, despite its apparent defences, it could never have resisted prolonged assault like a true castle.

At the time of its construction it was part fashion statement and part status symbol.

Today, it is regarded as probably the oldest and best preserved example of its kind in England.

Before the Norman Conquest, the manor of Stoke was held by a Saxon nobleman known to posterity as Wild Edric because he fiercely resisted the Norman invaders.

William I gave Edric's manor to Picot de Say, who built himself a house some time after 1068. Stoke (an Anglo-Saxon word meaning enclosure) became Stokesay.

In 1280, Stokesay was sold to a wealthy wool merchant, Laurence of Ludlow.

He rebuilt Picot's house and gained permission from Edward I to fortify it too.

It stayed in Laurence's family for 10 generations and remained largely unchanged, except for the addition of a timber-framed gatehouse in the 16th Century.

In the reign of Charles I, Stokesay Castle came into the ownership of the Craven family and was used as a supply base for the Royalists in the Civil War.

It was surrendered to the Roundheads without a siege, and survived the war intact.

However, two centuries later, it had fallen into decay and was being used as a barn.

Fortunately, in 1869 it was bought by John Darby Allcroft, a Worcester glove manufacturer and MP, who restored it with great care and sensitivity.

Today, Stokesay Castle is looked after by English Heritage and is open to the public all year round. It's well worth a visit.

You might also like to visit a much newer attraction - the Secret Hills Visitor Centre, just down the road at Craven Arms.

An innovative grass-roofed building, Secret Hills has a number of interesting displays and you can even take a simulated balloon ride above the Shropshire countryside.

It is also the starting point for several enjoyable waymarked walks, for which free leaflets are available.

The local footpaths, formerly in poor condition, have benefited greatly as a result of this initiative, which is aimed at increasing tourism.

DIRECTIONS

n Walk along the lane, passing Stokesay Castle and then taking the second footpath on the right, at the far side of a pool. Skirt a farm and cross the railway then keep straight on through fields on a fairly well-trodden path.

On entering Stoke Wood, proceed to a track and turn right. Leave the wood at the far end and walk past a house called Clapping Wicket before turning sharp left across a field in front of the house. Turn right at the top, walking by the edge of View Wood.

After 300m, join a track leading into the wood. It soon emerges from it to run alongside the edge, then plunges back into the trees, climbing quite steeply, before levelling out to reach a lane by Viewedge Farm.

Turn left for a few paces, then join a footpath on the right. Turn right by a field edge and walk to the top of a knoll. Continue in the same direction across fields until you come to a waymarker that directs you sharp left across an adjacent field. Join a track at the far side and continue past Gorst Barn to a lane. Turn right.

After 400m turn left on a footpath, crossing three pastures to a concealed stile, which gives access to a bridleway. Turn left down Brandhill Gutter. Eventually, you have to go through a gate on the right, but you should immediately turn left to continue in the same direction. Keep close to the stream (or, possibly, the dry stream bed) on your left.

After passing through a gate, the bridleway becomes narrow, uneven and eroded, but soon improves. It eventually crosses the stream (next to a stile) and starts to swing northwards, into Aldon Gutter. Beyond an abandoned cottage, the bridleway passes to the right of pheasant pens - watch carefully for the waymarks here.

About 200m after the cottage, the bridleway bears right, climbing the steep valley side to a lane at the top. Turn right to pass through the hamlet of Aldon, then left at a T-junction.

Join a byway on the right after 200m, at a slight bend in the lane. This lovely hedged track leads between fields, then through Stoke Wood and down to Stokesay.

FACTFILE

Start: Stokesay, off A49 north of Ludlow, grid ref SO437819.

Length: 6 miles/10.5km.

Maps: OS Explorers 203 and 217, OS Landranger 137.

Terrain: Woodland and pasture, with some moderate slopes.

Footpaths: Mostly excellent, though one bridleway is eroded and uneven.

Stiles: 12.

Parking: Lay-by on A49 by Stokesay turn.

Public transport: Train to Craven Arms, changing at Hereford. It's about 15 minutes' walk from Craven Arms to Stokesay. Or take the train as far as Ludlow then Arriva/Whittle bus 435 (Monday-Saturday) to Stokesay. Or go all the way by bus, changing at Kidderminster and Ludlow (303/292/435). Traveline 0870 608 2608 or www.traveline.org.uk

Refreshments: Nothing en route, but Stokesay Castle Inn is 10 minutes' walk away, next to Secret Hills, which has a caf.

PLEASE NOTE: This walk has been carefully checked and the directions are believed to be accurate at the time of publication. No responsibility is accepted by either the author or publisher for errors or omissions, or for any loss, accident or injury, however caused.

In The Walk on Saturday, October 30, we made reference to a view of Barrow Hill, near Chaddesley Corbett, in the following terms:

"There is a gate at one point, which allows a better view, though it is defended with enough barbed wire, chains and padlocks to stop a tank regiment."

We now acknowledge this was an inaccurate description and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.