Today was a perfect spring day so after lunch we set off into the Shropshire countryside in order to drive up the steeps slopes to the top of the Long Mynd. As we drove along the country lanes the scenery was outstanding in the spring sunshine and we were provided with clear views from the summit of the hill. We took the longer route back down from the summit and a different countryside route home. This route took us towards Clun, along a road where we followed not one but two Morgans, one black and one silver, both gleaming in the sunshine.
The Long Mynd is one of two prominent hills in this part of the Shropshire landscape, the other being the Stiperstones ridge:
Visually, these two ‘hills’ are very different – the Long Mynd is a large and long plateau, while the rugged outline of the Stiperstones ridge is unmistakable. Together, they make up the largest area of heathland in the Shropshire Hills. Come late summer these hilltops are a sea of purple and not to be missed. Along with the heather a variety of other plants flourish here including bilberry (known locally as whinberry), and this in turn attracts many insects and birds – look out for a green hairstreak butterfly or stonechat on the gorse.
As well as a wealth of wildlife, the area is steeped in history and folklore. Shooting Box is one of sixteen Bronze Age burial mounds found on the Mynd and the 5,000 year old ridge-way, the Portway, once carried Neolithic traders high and dry above the wet and wooded valleys.
beautiful shots. i imagine it was a memorable drive
I was, the scenery was so lush and green with the new growth of spring.
Beautiful landscape pictures. I will look, where this exactly is.
Sigrun
Thanks Sigrun
What a beautiful countryside with lovely hills and so much green.
It was lovely to see with the new spring growth looking vibrant.
Lovely shots. I remember my first visit of Shropshire walking many years ago. Coming from Lake District Hill training, I didn’t think that there were many hills in the county, how wrong I was. We stayed at Wilderhope Manor YHA and did Brown Clee Hill on the saturday and part of the Long Mynd on the sunday. I would have liked to have seen more of the Long Mynd and this post has proved that point.
Shropshire is wonderfully hilly
I have never actually gone walking on the Long Mynd but I have been driven up to the top of it many times over the years. The scenery is stunning!!
I have walked both of these, Cherie, and would love to do so again
They are both lovely places to go walking
The hills are rather barren.
Oh, heathland! Reminded me of Scottish highlands, New Forest, ect
But there’s still one place I have to visit – Exmoor!
It is a long time since I have visited Exmoor.