Shropshire hills
Discussion
Hi
I am driving from Banbury to Dolgellau towards the end of the week. Normally I start further south and have worked out a pretty decent route but I am nut used to starting this far north. I will be travelling in a Lotus so want to avoid motorways and 'enjoy' the great country roads. Does anyone know what the road over the Shropshire hills is like starting off at Kidderminster (going to do the first part on motorway, no choice as far as I can see). Also are there any speed cameras (just in case my foot should slip on the accelerator...
thanks
C43
I am driving from Banbury to Dolgellau towards the end of the week. Normally I start further south and have worked out a pretty decent route but I am nut used to starting this far north. I will be travelling in a Lotus so want to avoid motorways and 'enjoy' the great country roads. Does anyone know what the road over the Shropshire hills is like starting off at Kidderminster (going to do the first part on motorway, no choice as far as I can see). Also are there any speed cameras (just in case my foot should slip on the accelerator...
thanks
C43
from ShropshireThere's lots of very good roads that criss-cross the Shropshire Hills, but if I were you the decision on my route would be fairly easy; it goes like this :
From Kiddy, head towards Bridgnorth and follow the signs for the A458 Shrewsbury. When you enter the village of Morville (not Morville Heath), keep an eye out for The Acton Arms on your right because immediately after the pub there's a left turn which (IIRC) is signposted for Craven Arms. Take this exit onto the B4368.
It's a super piece of road with long straights, open corners, tight corners, blind corners, and off-camber corners. This roads takes you through the South East Shropshire Hills, past Shropshire's highest point (Brown Clee Hill). Eventually, you'll get to Craven Arms and a r'bout at the junction with the A49.
Turn right here, heading North towards Shrewsbury.
Very shortly after you leave Craven Arms, immediately after a slight hump-back bridge, there's a left turn for the A489. Take this exit, and follow all the way to a T-junction with the A488.
Turn right (should be signposted Minsterley / Pontesbury). Follow this road, which is perfectly suited for a Lotus, through the above villages and eventually you'll get to a r'bout at the junction with the A5.
From there, it's on to mid-Wales.
Have fun.
^^ Good advice
so I'll just confuse things by giving you an alternative from Craven Arms. This assumes you are not in a hurry.
Instead of turning North up the A49 turn left /South to a small roundabout and turn right/West on to B4368 toward Clun. Pass thru Adton on Clun and Clunton.
Thru Clun crossing River and turning right onto B4368 (yes same number)
Thru Newcastle on Clun - Anchor - Kerry Ridge >> A489 turning left/West for Kerry then Newtown.
At traffic lights (nr McDonald's) left on to AA483 for Llanidloes.
At first Llanidloes roundabout tureen right into Yatton. At small roundabout by Texaco turn right over bridge then immediately left onto B4518.
- >>> Staylittle >>> left turn for Dylife (no Road number) (great view over gorge) - Forge - Machynlleth.
In Mach. turn left on to A489. To clock tower Hinton - right onto A487 and head for Dolgellau.
Whichever route i don't believe you'll be disappointed
so I'll just confuse things by giving you an alternative from Craven Arms. This assumes you are not in a hurry.
Instead of turning North up the A49 turn left /South to a small roundabout and turn right/West on to B4368 toward Clun. Pass thru Adton on Clun and Clunton.
Thru Clun crossing River and turning right onto B4368 (yes same number)
Thru Newcastle on Clun - Anchor - Kerry Ridge >> A489 turning left/West for Kerry then Newtown.
At traffic lights (nr McDonald's) left on to AA483 for Llanidloes.
At first Llanidloes roundabout tureen right into Yatton. At small roundabout by Texaco turn right over bridge then immediately left onto B4518.
- >>> Staylittle >>> left turn for Dylife (no Road number) (great view over gorge) - Forge - Machynlleth.
In Mach. turn left on to A489. To clock tower Hinton - right onto A487 and head for Dolgellau.
Whichever route i don't believe you'll be disappointed
I live near Much Wenlock so am familiar with most of the roads mentioned, and they are good
Couple of things -
if you do come up via Bridgnorth and then West on the A458, observe the 30 carefully at Morville as in daylight there is frequently a van sited *just* inside the restriction.
I'm assuming you're coming cross country towards Worcester or Droitwich and then up to Kidderminster thus missing out the M40/M42/M5. This is a good idea as there are a lot of roadworks in the area currently, both on the M5 itself between Worcester and J4, and also at Hagley if you come off at J4. In this case I would consider avoiding Kidderminster entirely as the area is a nightmare if its approaching or during peak hours. Come off the A449 at Ombersley then onto the A443, turn right at Abberley by the public school, over the crossroads at Clows Top, and then on through Cleobury to meet the A49 at Ludlow.
If you end up on the A49 in this area and want a more direct - but still good route into Mid-Wales - take the A489 North of Craven Arms all the way through to Newtown.
Generally in this area you can make good progress on the B roads as you can get around anything moving slowly. On the trunk roads you all too often find yourself in a long procession at HGV speeds for miles on end.
Couple of things -
if you do come up via Bridgnorth and then West on the A458, observe the 30 carefully at Morville as in daylight there is frequently a van sited *just* inside the restriction.
I'm assuming you're coming cross country towards Worcester or Droitwich and then up to Kidderminster thus missing out the M40/M42/M5. This is a good idea as there are a lot of roadworks in the area currently, both on the M5 itself between Worcester and J4, and also at Hagley if you come off at J4. In this case I would consider avoiding Kidderminster entirely as the area is a nightmare if its approaching or during peak hours. Come off the A449 at Ombersley then onto the A443, turn right at Abberley by the public school, over the crossroads at Clows Top, and then on through Cleobury to meet the A49 at Ludlow.
If you end up on the A49 in this area and want a more direct - but still good route into Mid-Wales - take the A489 North of Craven Arms all the way through to Newtown.
Generally in this area you can make good progress on the B roads as you can get around anything moving slowly. On the trunk roads you all too often find yourself in a long procession at HGV speeds for miles on end.
SteveSPG said:
salops roads are absolutely useless, full of potholes.
Can agree with the potholes, broke a bloody coil spring just outside Much Wenlock last week in a car I'd only bought 3 days previously. An auspicious start thankfully now resolved so I can now enjoy the car, albeit with my wallet 500 quid lighter! Shropshire Council fix your roads properly.w
Can you let me know where? I live just outside Wenlock and try to maintain an awareness of the 'really bad' [pot] holes. My own lane is so bad the entire road surface is literally disintegrating.
Shewie said:
SteveSPG said:
salops roads are absolutely useless, full of potholes.
Can agree with the potholes, broke a bloody coil spring just outside Much Wenlock last week in a car I'd only bought 3 days previously. An auspicious start thankfully now resolved so I can now enjoy the car, albeit with my wallet 500 quid lighter! Shropshire Council fix your roads properly.theboss said:
w
Can you let me know where? I live just outside Wenlock and try to maintain an awareness of the 'really bad' [pot] holes. My own lane is so bad the entire road surface is literally disintegrating.
I had to divert off the A458 as Harley Bank was closed, so ended up going the scenic route through Homer! The pothole was halfway between Homer and the Ironbridge road (A4169)Shewie said:
SteveSPG said:
salops roads are absolutely useless, full of potholes.
Can agree with the potholes, broke a bloody coil spring just outside Much Wenlock last week in a car I'd only bought 3 days previously. An auspicious start thankfully now resolved so I can now enjoy the car, albeit with my wallet 500 quid lighter! Shropshire Council fix your roads properly.As said above, absolutely nothing to see here so I'd avoid the place, especially the B4380 and the B4396. Whilst you're avoiding those you should also stay well clear of the A4117, B4363 and B4364 
In all seriousness though it can get a bit busy round here, so don't expect remote Wales levels of (no) traffic but don't let that put you off.
In all seriousness though it can get a bit busy round here, so don't expect remote Wales levels of (no) traffic but don't let that put you off.
Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff