I recently finished reading a book ‘Telford The Making of Shropshire’s New Town’. I moved to Telford at a very young age (my dad worked for the development corporation) and have grown up with the Town.

I have always appreciated the lovely green spaces within the town but until I read the book I had not realised just how much effort had been put in to encourage and allow industrial wasteland to be reclaimed by nature. Alongside planning the development of new housing the landscaping of the town involved the planting of around 15 million trees creating a ‘city within a forest’.

In 2018 to celebrate Telford’s 50th anniversary a new walking trail ‘The Telford T50 50 Mile Trail’ was researched and developed by local walking groups. Since then I have been looking forward to the publication of the guidebook to the walk.

The book launch was today and although I was not able to attend the ceremony, later in the day I was able to make a short walk in the rain to pick up a copy from the Telford Park information centre.

I spent and indulgent afternoon reading it from cover to cover and have planned my first walk. It takes in a local walk that I often do and also another local walk that I have been meaning to do for over a year…

I have been inspired and know I will walk that section of the T50 50 route very soon

You can read more about the trail and download walks routes  on the Telford T50 Trail website, although I would recommend that you purchase the guidebook. The guidebook provides comprehensive information about the industrial heritage and history of the area and also takes us on a journey to enjoy nature within the created ‘city’, leading to unexpected delights.

Below are some photos from some of my walks that coincide with the full route that I have not yet walked.