28-07-10, 07:29 AM
I have been asked by a couple of people about 3 or 4 day trips around Shrewsbury, so I thought I would post them here for others to see.
These notes are intended to help you plan your trip, I have not included telephone numbers or bus timetables because they might change, its up to you to find out the latest info.
A very useful guide to the river, is the Canoeist Guide to the River Severn, available from the Environment Agency, these notes should be used in conjunction with the above guide and the relevant OS maps.
Shrewsbury Weir
This is very a dangerous place, on no account should it be shot in a laden canoe.
In low water egress above the weir is via a set of ladders about 10m above the weir river left. This is not easy.
When the river is up it is better to exit the canoe just before the foot bridge 200m above the weir there is a launching ramp just above this bridge, about 20m river left. This is a long flat portage, a trolly will be very handy here
When the river is very high and over it's banks in Shrewsbury then stay well away from the weir. Best egress then is the canoe ramp at Frankwell Carpark.
Campsites, (summer 2010)
Campsites with facilities are to be found at the following places on the river.
Mileages in brackets are from Pool Quay.
Royal Hill Inn, Edgerley, river left. (15)
Buckley Farm, about 1 mile below the Royal Hill Inn river left. (16)
Wingfield Arms, Montford Bridge, river right. (22)
Hampton / Hampton Lode ferry, river right. (73)
Wild Camping
Wild camping on the river could be an issue if caught, pitch late and leave early is the best way. There are plenty of places upstream of Shrewsbury well away from houses and roads. Its not quite so easy after Shrewsbury but still possible. The closer to a road the more chance you will encounter fishermen in the early
morning.
I would suggest the following trips.
1. Caer Howel (put in at ford, just downstream of village) to Shrewsbury Weir. Distance about 50 miles, 3 weirs to shoot and plenty of riffles to contend with, lots of places for wild camping, with a couple of proper camp sites near pubs that do food as well. All pubs and campsites near the river are busy over a weekend in summer.
Shops near the river are at Montford Bridge and Shrewsbury.
Car parked in layby at side of a country lane, not the safest place to leave it for a few days, also difficult return journey back from Shrewsbury to pick up vehicle, easiest way would be taxi from Shrewsbury.
2. Shrewsbury weir to Bewdley. Distance about 46 Miles, easy wide river, one rapid at Jackfield, quite a few places to wild camp, but not as many as above Shrewsbury due to it being a more populated area.
Shops near the river are at Ironbridge and Bridgnorth.
Reasonably save car parking in the streets by the weir, 2 busses required to get back to the car in Shrewsbury.
3. Royal Hill Inn to Bridgnorth. Distance about 55 miles, Shrewsbury weir to portage and a few riffles and Jackfield rapid, again quite a few places to wild camp, see above.
Shops near the river at Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury and Ironbridge.
Reasonably safe car parking in layby opposite Royal Hill Inn. Require bus from Bridgnorth to Shrewsbury then taxi to Royal Hill to pick up car.
4. Pool Quay to Atcham. Distance about 44 miles. One weir to run and Shrewsbury Weir to portage also plenty of riffles to contend with, again quite a few wild camping places, see above.
Shops at Montford Bridge and Shrewsbury.
Car parked in layby on main road, not the safest of places.
Return to car via bus to Shrewsbury then bus to Welshpool then short taxi ride.
5. Montford Bridge to Bewdley, Distance about 60 miles, again Shrewsbury Weir to portage and some riffles to contend with, quite a few place to wild camp, see above.
Shops near river at Shrewsbury, Ironbridge and Bridgnorth.
Safe parking for your car in the pub at Montford Bridge, they may charge you a few quid for parking though.
Return to vehicle requires bus from Bewdley to Bridgnorth, then bus to Shrewsbury, then bus to Montford Bridge.
Public Transport in Shropshire
Bear in mind that bus services are not that frequent in the country areas, so using them will take time, lots of it. Plan your trip to end mid morning to allow time to pick up your car and return for the other person and gear, also taxi fares out into the country are not cheap.
Anyone thinking about a trip in this area is welcome to send me a PM if they need anymore information.
Terry
These notes are intended to help you plan your trip, I have not included telephone numbers or bus timetables because they might change, its up to you to find out the latest info.
A very useful guide to the river, is the Canoeist Guide to the River Severn, available from the Environment Agency, these notes should be used in conjunction with the above guide and the relevant OS maps.
Shrewsbury Weir
This is very a dangerous place, on no account should it be shot in a laden canoe.
In low water egress above the weir is via a set of ladders about 10m above the weir river left. This is not easy.
When the river is up it is better to exit the canoe just before the foot bridge 200m above the weir there is a launching ramp just above this bridge, about 20m river left. This is a long flat portage, a trolly will be very handy here
When the river is very high and over it's banks in Shrewsbury then stay well away from the weir. Best egress then is the canoe ramp at Frankwell Carpark.
Campsites, (summer 2010)
Campsites with facilities are to be found at the following places on the river.
Mileages in brackets are from Pool Quay.
Royal Hill Inn, Edgerley, river left. (15)
Buckley Farm, about 1 mile below the Royal Hill Inn river left. (16)
Wingfield Arms, Montford Bridge, river right. (22)
Hampton / Hampton Lode ferry, river right. (73)
Wild Camping
Wild camping on the river could be an issue if caught, pitch late and leave early is the best way. There are plenty of places upstream of Shrewsbury well away from houses and roads. Its not quite so easy after Shrewsbury but still possible. The closer to a road the more chance you will encounter fishermen in the early
morning.
I would suggest the following trips.
1. Caer Howel (put in at ford, just downstream of village) to Shrewsbury Weir. Distance about 50 miles, 3 weirs to shoot and plenty of riffles to contend with, lots of places for wild camping, with a couple of proper camp sites near pubs that do food as well. All pubs and campsites near the river are busy over a weekend in summer.
Shops near the river are at Montford Bridge and Shrewsbury.
Car parked in layby at side of a country lane, not the safest place to leave it for a few days, also difficult return journey back from Shrewsbury to pick up vehicle, easiest way would be taxi from Shrewsbury.
2. Shrewsbury weir to Bewdley. Distance about 46 Miles, easy wide river, one rapid at Jackfield, quite a few places to wild camp, but not as many as above Shrewsbury due to it being a more populated area.
Shops near the river are at Ironbridge and Bridgnorth.
Reasonably save car parking in the streets by the weir, 2 busses required to get back to the car in Shrewsbury.
3. Royal Hill Inn to Bridgnorth. Distance about 55 miles, Shrewsbury weir to portage and a few riffles and Jackfield rapid, again quite a few places to wild camp, see above.
Shops near the river at Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury and Ironbridge.
Reasonably safe car parking in layby opposite Royal Hill Inn. Require bus from Bridgnorth to Shrewsbury then taxi to Royal Hill to pick up car.
4. Pool Quay to Atcham. Distance about 44 miles. One weir to run and Shrewsbury Weir to portage also plenty of riffles to contend with, again quite a few wild camping places, see above.
Shops at Montford Bridge and Shrewsbury.
Car parked in layby on main road, not the safest of places.
Return to car via bus to Shrewsbury then bus to Welshpool then short taxi ride.
5. Montford Bridge to Bewdley, Distance about 60 miles, again Shrewsbury Weir to portage and some riffles to contend with, quite a few place to wild camp, see above.
Shops near river at Shrewsbury, Ironbridge and Bridgnorth.
Safe parking for your car in the pub at Montford Bridge, they may charge you a few quid for parking though.
Return to vehicle requires bus from Bewdley to Bridgnorth, then bus to Shrewsbury, then bus to Montford Bridge.
Public Transport in Shropshire
Bear in mind that bus services are not that frequent in the country areas, so using them will take time, lots of it. Plan your trip to end mid morning to allow time to pick up your car and return for the other person and gear, also taxi fares out into the country are not cheap.
Anyone thinking about a trip in this area is welcome to send me a PM if they need anymore information.
Terry
