Shropshire - Gogbatch and Plush Hill

stretton

Gogbatch and Plush Hill - By Alan Garner

The least visited part pf the Shropshire Hills feature in this walk, with magnificent views over the eastern hills and Shropshire plain.

The walk starts outside the Yew Tree inn in the village of All Stretton. Walk northwards along the main road, then take a left turn into Castle Hill. After a short walk uphill, take a right at the footpath sign and in 30 metres continue right on the footpath. Pass the church on the right then gradually ascend through trees to Hollies Cottage. Turn right here on a broad track, reach and cross a small stream, then proceed ahead onto open land.

yew

After half mile you reach Gogbatch, cross the road, and go down a steep, short descent into the valley and cross the steam. Keeping slightly right, ascend the side of the hill eventually reaching the fence line and a stile. Here you take the slightly left signs uphill through two fields and eventually reach a quiet lane. Turn left.
Uphill then downhill to Womerton Farm – stables here but no horses.

Take a path over the grassland to your left at this point, with the Gogbatch valley on your left.

entrance

Again, super views to the left, surprisingly open over the east and north of the viewpoint.

Head forwards along the grassy track, to where the road on your right swings sharply right. Head past the trees on your right and in front of the white house cross the head of a small valley which can be pretty wet at times and muddy.

batch

The track eventually reaches another small valley, cross it then take the broadest path left across the moor – this is Plash Hill - with Gogbatch on your left and head for the Jinlye house, the white house slightly left of you.

Reach the road, do not forget to look to the east and north – a superb look out over the near countryside, Caer Carodoc, The Lawley and Wrekin in the distance as well as Shrewsbury and the Shropshire Plain beyond the Severn Valley– cross the road and then drop down to head for Batch Valley across duck boards as it can be boggy even in dry times. Down a rocky slope – be careful, then proceed along the lovely winding downwards path into BATCH valley. Lovely views over the valley to the Long Mynd and golf course.

gog

Turn left at the bottom of the downwards path, then a mile walk down this valley on a lovely broad track until the houses of All Stretton are reached. Keep on and eventually find the main road with the Yew Tree Inn on your left.

Recently renovated, good food here and an outside sitting area under cover.

6.5 miles Ascent 180 metres over 4 miles.

A lovely country walk – we doubt you will see many people – so take in the outstanding views

All Stretton

All Stretton lies about a mile to the north of the market town of Church Stretton, on the old Shrewsbury Road (the B5477) – the county town is 12 miles to the north. Similarly, the small village of Little Stretton lies to the south of Church Stretton on the same road. The village lies between 580 and 600 feet above sea level at the northern end of the Stretton Gap. The beginning of the Cound Brook, a minor river that runs 25 miles across the southern Shropshire-Severn plains, is found in the village, where the stream from the Batch valley joins the Ashbrook. To the west of All Stretton is the Long Mynd, and to the east is Caer Caradoc.


The village does not lie in the parish of All Stretton, which is to its north, but in the civil parish of Church Stretton, which has a town council, of which All Stretton forms a parish ward. The southern part of the original parish, including the village, was transferred to the Church Stretton parish in 1934.[1] The remaining parish of All Stretton is geographically small and has no well-defined settlements, only dispersed farms and houses, including Womerton and High Park. Its population was recorded as 120 at the 2011 census.[2] Prior to the creation of a unitary Shropshire Council in 2009, the village and the parish lay in different districts (South Shropshire and Shrewsbury and Atcham). Even under the new arrangements the village is in the electoral division of Church Stretton and Craven Arms, whilst the parish is in the division of Burnell. The village lies in the constituency of Ludlow, whilst the parish lies in Shrewsbury and Atcham.

To the east of the village is the Welsh Marches Line railway and the major A49 road. Regional Cycle Route 32/33 passes through the village, on its way from Longnor to Church Stretton. Yew Tree Inn All Stretton

The inn is old and one of the first builings in this farming village. The road was the poriginal A49 so the inn was very much a travellers stop off with stables at the back.

Gogbatch
Last gasp of the Long Mynd, before it fades into the fields and pastures of the plain to the north, is Gogbatch. It’s a pleasant – and quiet – spot for a picnic, despite having a (very minor) road running its entire (very short) length. It’s a good spot to begin a walk.
See YouTube video showing Gogbatch and the surrounding scenery – all found on this walk.

Gogbatch Video