I have never visited Ironbridge, one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution. So when I spotted this 50 mile walk around the area I was intrigued. There is a good website telling you everything you need to know with downloadable maps and descriptions. Being old fashioned I like to have a printed copy so a couple of years ago sent off for the guide. This gives a better insight to the industrial heritage and the natural environment along the trail.
For all sorts of reasons I’ve not got away for awhile and this was high on my list of trails to explore. There are others on the backburner. The last month has been hectic with a cataract operation and a plethora of other hospital visits, but I find myself with a week free of appointments. A session on a well known website and I have managed to book accommodation for the trip. It was not easy with demand being high in the holiday season, as you will see I have taken individual variations on the sections of the walk to fit in with accommodation vacancies. One could walk all the trail sections based in Telford centre, using buses each day, but that is a faff, and I like to sample the different lodgings as they come along.
The train service to the area seems good and I have booked the journey, again being old fashioned I have the actual paper tickets to hand.
A problem arose with finding my cat, Seth, a holiday home whilst I’m away. His usual cattery is having a show down with DEFRA over the size of their feline pens, a couple of centimetres short, and are closed. Seth has never complained in the past. I tried another cattery and they were full for the whole of summer. The third on my list has space for him thankfully, otherwise the trip would have been off, friends who in the past have looked after him at home are no longer with us.
***
“The Telford T50 50 Mile Trail was created to celebrate the new town’s 50th anniversary in 2018. The trail was designed to showcase the many beautiful green spaces, interesting places and industrial heritage”
This is the route in outline –
– 
The trail is apparently waymarked but in urban areas the discs have a habit of disappearing. We shall see.
***
Time to get the small backpack out, dubbin the boots and create a new category on this webpage, Telford T50. As it is only 5 or 6 days I shall be traveling light with just the clothes I am wearing.
It all sounds very interesting BC. I went to the outskirts of Telford briefly in 2008 to collect a boat trailer but didn’t see anything of the surrounding area so I’m looking forward to reading more of your adventures 😊
Always wanted to go to Ironbridge.
Exciting. Looking forward to your updates.
My escapades are a shadow of those when I was younger but it will be good to get away for a few days. Don’t be too optimistic.
You’re too modest. Looking forward to following your progress/
It’s only Shropshire, but will be good to get away.
I know what you mean. I’m just back, but ready for another.
Hope the Lakes trip went well.
It did indeed, thank you.
Been through Telford at least three times : LEJOG, Severn Way, Cross Britain Way (MacMillan.) As far as I can see the only part that coincides is the route along the south side of the river Severn to the East. My profile photo on my blog shows me eating a pork pie bought at a super pie shop just over the bridge on the north side. I have downloaded the GPX route from LD WA so I will be able to enviously follow you. Hope you have a good trip.
Don’t follow me too closely – I am apt to deviate at will.
Will look out for the pie shop.
This is one I must do. My grandad was vicar of Dawley and my dad worked at Horsehay. I used to cycle to Ironbridge from Ryton – train spotting at the age of 10, and we used to climb The Wrekin whilst mum was cooking Xmas dinner. I could go on…
Enjoy.
M
Home from home for you. All new ground for me.
Hope you have an enjoyable time. I actually went to Ironbridge back in October when I stayed in the Hansel & Gretel cottage at nearby Weston Under Lizard. I think your walk will have lots of industrial interest and should be good.
Lots of Industrial heritage and lots of green spaces.
I found Ironbridge great. The Industrial Revolution would make a great series of walks
Walking through history for 50 miles. Can’t understand why I’ve not been before.
Looking forward to read about this walking adventure.
Pingback: HOME ON THE FELL. | bowlandclimber