Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness (Much Wenlock, Shropshire, Nov 2025)

There were 13 brave Ibexers on the Much Wenlock weekend who had driven through Friday’s torrential downpour to reach Shropshire. But it was worth it. After a muddy walk down to The George in Much Wenlock from our bunkhouse a mile away, we were met with wonderful hospitality and excellent food. Thus fortified we made another soggy walk back uphill to the bunkhouse for wine and chats into the night.

Saturday we split into two groups. It was a moist and misty day. Cathy led the Wenlock Edge circular walk for the larger group direct from the bunkhouse, taking them over rolling fields, through old copses and into the village of Bourton before climbing onto Wenlock Edge. The mist thickened as the walk proceeded obscuring views of the more distant hills. But to compensate, the woods along Wenlock Edge were filled with a riot of endorphin producing vivid autumnal colours; bright yellow, crimson and orange leaves. The day was rounded off with tea in the medieval town of Much Wenlock (recorded in the Domesday Book as Wenloch), a fitting end to an atmospheric walk.

Catriona led a smaller group on a circular walk of The Wrekin, the reduced core of an extinct volcano. Well drained underfoot, the ascent was a satisfying workout, but views were limited, due to the mist, to the impressive chunky rocks nearby. Through conversation with a local geologist, the group learned that the Wrekin’s lava flows were some of the oldest in the world and a nearby quarry attracted visitors from all around the world, including Peru, to study the rock there. Having descended, the lunchstop was at a beautifully renovated gastro pub in Little Wenlock. After lunch, the group ended the walk through pleasant wooded terrain and arrived in Much Wenlock enjoying a mooch around the medieval church and town.

On Sunday most of the group went on David’s walk on the Long Mynd in the Shropshire Hills AONB. Much better weather made this adventurous hilly walk a pure delight. We also met a family of domesticated goats out for a Sunday walk with their human family. After a couple of stream crossings and lots of hills we all said our goodbye’s at the Carding Mill car park to round off another good Ibex weekend.

Karen