Jo’s Monday walk : Simply Church Stretton

Like many an aspiring writer, I’m going to start small on my recent visit to Shropshire.  Then I can build up to the really good stuff for next week’s walk. That’s the theory, anyway.  How well do you know Church Stretton?  Not at all? Then you’ll be happy to take a little stroll with me.

Much of my information is gleaned from Wikipedia, but I was already familiar with the concept of ‘Little Switzerland’.  Many years ago I attempted to coerce a small boy up one of the hills that surround Church Stretton, but he was far happier down in the valley.  As you drive the 13 miles south from Shrewsbury, the hills start to close in around you.  The local geology includes some of the oldest rocks in England, formed over 560 million years ago, and the area has been inhabited for thousands of years. ‘Stretton’ derives from the Old English for ‘street’, and ‘settlement’.  A Roman road, Watling Street, ran through Stretton Gap, as the dale is known, on a similar course to the current, busy A49.

The High Street
A history of the markets
An intriguing shop window
And an elegant facade
A bit of Brasso does the job!
Window gazers
My son would have loved this
Lovely half timbered buildings and the view to the hills

It was a murky, grey day when I left the sanctuary of Arden House, hoping that the rain would hold off for an hour or two.  The handsome old shop fronts were immediately attractive and I wasn’t the only one to press my nose up against the windows.  There’s been a weekly market on the High Street since 1214, but a fire in 1593 destroyed much of the town.  Many of the half-timbered buildings date from that period.

My lovely friend Tish had advised me to look out for Entertaining Elephants, an ancient barn converted to a health food and eco clothing store, ran by her sister, another Jo.  And there it was, bang smack in the middle of the High Street.

Behind the Buck’s Head pub and the market place I had caught a glimpse of St. Laurence’s Church.  And just look at those apricot roses!

But first I lost my heart, just a little, to the most romantic of Tudor cottages. Unfortunately it wasn’t a ‘for sale’ sign that Michael was reading.

Some places have the most delightful back streets.   I was heading for the church but stylish headwear in a leafy window caught my eye, and the passionflower, of course.  The Tourist Information office, in a former school dating back to 1861, was closed, it being a Monday.

Passionflowers
Simply stylish head gear!
Bring a cushion and sit on the bench!
The Tourist Information Office
Hiding in the back streets but not shy!
The Priory
Luscious planter

According to the Domesday Book there was a church here before the Norman Conquest in 1066.  It would likely have been a small wooden building. The Norman church we see today would have been built between 1110 and 1130. Sometimes a church really speaks to me, and so it was with this one.  A feeling of warmth embraced me as I gazed around.  Unusually the chairs were arranged in a semi-circle, increasing the feeling of inclusion. I loved the wall hangings and the ceiling art.

In case you’re wondering if we’re ever going to stretch our legs today, let me reassure you.  I had downloaded a leaflet of a walk in Rectory Wood before I left home.  This promised a ‘stroll in the footsteps of Georgian gentry’ which could be undertaken directly from the town.  The rain hadn’t yet caught up with us, and we were close to an entry to the wood.  It’s only short so, what are we waiting for?

You might have noticed that I come across Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown a lot on my travels.  It sometimes seems he was everywhere!  Rectory Wood once formed part of the grounds of the rectory in Church Stretton.  Around 1770 Rev. John Mainwaring created a designed woodland landscape garden, probably inspired by his friend Brown, who was known to visit the town.

That Capability Brown chap again!
A promise of tomorrow’s walking
I like a stile or two
Down into the woods
A mysterious looking pond
And a silhouette
Ancient reflections
And a ruined folly

It’s an atmospheric spot, with it’s yew-ringed pond, the ruined folly and an ice house. The shadows and reflections conjure mysteries in the woods. I stare into the pond, looking for answers.  But then the woods recede, and I’m back to the churchyard.

There’s more to see, if you have the time, but for now I’ll settle for putting my feet up in the luxury of my apartment.  I’ll leave you with a peep into Stretton Antiques Market, which ranges over 3 floors. See anything you fancy?

I’m hoping you’ll be back with me next week.  Carding Mill Valley is really a bit special, and I had the most gloriously sunny day to walk it.  Time to put the kettle on now and catch up with my walkers.

Many thanks to all of you who wander along with me, week by week.  It’s much appreciated.  If you feel like joining in at any time details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.  You’ll be very welcome.

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What nicer place to start rambling than a Scottish island?  Thanks, Anabel!

Arran – the walks

A bundle of fun images from Lady Lee :

Home is where the heart is

Another episode of ‘life chez Jackie’ :

Tea Time

Indra takes us back to colourful Hong Kong in 2010 :

Rock Art and the Color Green

I’m always keen to showcase something different.  Try photo walking with Aarti?

Will walk with friends @ Mumbai

I love an aerial view on life, especially when Drake’s in the pilot seat :

In the air

Walks don’t always have a happy ending, unless you’re Peter Pan.  Thanks, Susan!

Walking the Plank

I’m becoming addicted to Wordless walking.  Meg makes such a superb companion :

Wordless walks : Smuggler’s Cove, Carters Beach and Narooma Surf Beach

Woolly focuses first on the ladies caught up in this madness and then, a conclusion :

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk32_Lochnagar-Crater-Pt3

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk33_Lochnagar-Crater-Pt4

Denzil has his ups and downs, but so long as it’s in beautiful scenery…

Walking around Viroinval

Eunice finds her walk a little boring, but the cloud reflections are lovely :

A Rivington ramble

It’s an English Bank Holiday next week so heaven help the weather.  I’ll still be here though, so have a great week and see you then!

109 comments

  6. What a pretty town, with lots to see. I remember Tish talking about her sisters’ shop ages ago, I’d love it there. The church ceiling with the shimmering birds, the simple wooden vaulting and the textile work are all wonderful too. Even a Sheila-na-gig, I thought that was peculiar to the west country, learning all the time 🙂 Aren’t we lucky to live in such a glorious diverse country?
    fantastic sweetheart, happy days xx

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    1. I’d never heard of a Sheila-na-gig, Gilly, so you’re one up on me. Well, probably several up on me, come to think of it. 🙂 :). It’s a lovely little place, and the surrounds are wonderful. Yep- good old Blighty 🙂 You ok, hon?

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      1. Yep all okay, be glad when the dog babies are a tad more grown up, but then I’ll wish they were still puppies won’t I? Shropshire looks really nice. I drove through many moons ago, in another life, maybe I should go again. Did I read it was Vron’s funeral today? Hope it was as okay as these things can be. Big hugs darling 🙂

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      2. Yesterday, hon, and there was the biggest family gathering you can imagine. At the Cricket Club afterwards they ran a video of Vron throughout her life and it was lovely. 🙂 🙂 Thanks, hon!

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  7. The Tudor cottage will remain indelible in my mind…..
    It was such a great pleasure to be taken through this fabulous village by means of your photos and read!
    Love all this, thank you!

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    1. Anna, you are so kind! I’m just writing about my visit to Shropshire for a travel company, and trying not to make it too long. I loved it very much. Thank you! 🙂 🙂

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  9. Thanks for the stroll, Jo. I, too, feel as if a church talks to me. Don’t know what it is because I am definitely not religious. They fascinate me, though, and iI love visiting them. Love this town, too.

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    1. Nor me, Emilio, though part of me would like to be a believer. This church had the nicest atmosphere and I think you’d be happy tootling around the area. Thanks for your company. 🙂 🙂

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  10. What a lovely post – however, I take issue with the idea that the walk doesn’t begin till you stop walking around town! I was intrigued by the idea of a mop fair: I’d never heard of this method of hiring.and eying off a Tudor cottage indeed! You have two houses already. The Real Walk took you to some beautiful views, including that silhouette contained by overarching trees and their reflections. Are you channelling Sue??? Although your styles are very different. I too love the church hangings and ceiling decorations. Have you seen anywhere else those arches over the narrow windows in that last church photo? A total pleasure beginning my day with you, as I down my first coffee rugged up in bed. Hand and knee completely better? Hugs wrapped in birdsong and budding pittosporum.

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    1. That was just my strategy for introducing a walk within a walk. Channelling Sue? I wouldn’t dare 🙂 🙂 The church was quite distinctive, I thought, but the Shropshire churches definitely seemed to have a style of their own (I went in a much smaller one in the village where Tish’s sister lives- and where I got stung. Yes, fully recovered , thanks 🙂 ) A hug with birdsong- that’s awfully nice. 🙂 It was Vron’s funeral today and many hugs were exchanged.

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  11. You wait ages for one blog about Church Stratton and then two come along at once! Down by the Dougie has just been there too. I’m now doubly convinced it’s a lovely place. Thanks, as always, for the mention.

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  14. A feast of photos and information, Jo! You’ve given us a real treat this week! 😀😀 The Tudor buildings are delightful and atmospheric, the shopping art and unusual. The village is a celebration of flowers and I’m always a fan of Passion flowers!! love the church and a delightful shortish walk to finish! No scones or cakes though and I’m feeling rather peckish! This is close to my husband’s brother and family in Shropshire so I’ll try to convince them all for an outing on our next visit!

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  15. A walk, a church and a town I haven’t explored, so thanks for this Jo. I’m afraid my heart always led me into the valley whenever we passed that way. The shops look very interesting and what a delightful flower power caravan you found!! Hope you are having better weather than us! A bit misty and muggy today.

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    1. We didn’t get there till about 3 and as it promised rain it seemed a good time to do the local stuff, Jude. We just made it back when the rain came on and had to wield the brolly to get to the Indian later. It’s mostly been sunny here, but it was Vron’s funeral today so I’ve mostly been with her family. 🙂

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      2. It was a lovely service, with a poem from the grandkids and a ‘chat’ from 2 of Vron’s daughters. They were very brave, but they are a family of believers, and that will help them enormously. The Cricket Club and a slide show of memories this afternoon. 🙂

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  18. Nice post! Great combination of lovely information and photos. Thank to you, this place is on my ‘places to visit’ check list now 🙂 have a nice week.

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