Shropshire & Staffordshire

The Pipe Walk at Carding Mill Valley

A view looking across Bodbury Hill to Church Stretton in the distance, Carding Mill, Shropshire. — A view looking across Bodbury Hill to Church Stretton in the distance. | © National Trust Images

This walk is a great way to see some beautiful views and also to really get to the heart of 'those blue remembered hills', as mentioned in the poem by A E Housman.

Near to

Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd

Start point

Carding Mill Valley, grid ref: SO411949

Address
Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton, Shropshire. SY6 6JG
Directions via Google Maps
By train
1 mile (1.6km) from Church Stretton.
By bus
Shrewsbury to Ludlow, alight Church Stretton, ½ mile (0.8km). Long Mynd Shuttle Bus weekends and bank holidays (Easter to October) plus shuttle to Stiperstones.
Cycling
10 miles (16km) of off-road tracks and bridleways.
On foot
Many long-distance routes, including Jack Mytton Way and Shropshire Way.
By road
West of Church Stretton and A49; approached from Church Stretton or from Ratlinghope or Asterton; parking: 50 yards (pay and display); SatNav: SY6 6JG.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Carding Mill Valley, grid ref: SO411949
Stage 1
If you are starting from the Chalet Pavilion, follow the stream uphill to the site of the former top car park.
Stage 2
Cross the stream on the sturdy vehicle bridge opposite the green ticket machine. Ahead, the track curves around a spur of the hill, before opening out into a broad side valley. You are now walking along New Pool Hollow, named after two early mill pools.
New Pool Hollow
The mill pools along this stretch used to feed water down to the carding mill that was situated in the valley in the 19th century. The valley was ideally situated in the centre of one of the best wool producing areas of England and the stream could produce cheap water power to the mill. There was also cheap local labour and a good market for carded wool. The actual carding mill only lasted around 80 years, but the name stuck. It's worth taking a moment to look back at the views every now and again along this stretch.
Stage 3
Keep following the path along New Pool Hollow until you come to a small palisaded area (a wooden enclosure fixed in the ground).
Bodbury Ring hillfort
Go inside the palisade and look back on the path you have just walked. As you look up, you'll be looking directly at Bodbury Ring hillfort which is more than 2,500 years old. It was in constant use throughout the Iron Age period by the Cornovii, a Celtic tribe of people found across Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Herefordshire. They used the hillfort to guard their herds of sheep and cattle. From the top of the hill, they’d have been able to see people coming from miles.
Stage 4
Within 440yd (400m), climb the reservoir's retaining bank.
Stage 5
Walk along the length of the reservoir bank with the reservoir on your left, then veer right and pick up the path that goes around the edge of the hill.
Stage 6
Continue around to the other side of the hill. Here you will be looking down on the site of the former top car park and Carding Mill Valley. Follow the path as it gently descends to join the path below.
Stage 7
When the valley divides 550yd (500m) later at the confluence (the merging of two streams), take the left-hand fork and climb the crude 'pitched' stone steps into Lightspout Hollow.
Stage 8
Rising above the stream, the rocky path snakes uphill around interlocking spurs. Continue for 550yd (500m) and you will arrive at Lightspout waterfall. Return downhill by the same route.
End point
Lightspout Waterfall, grid ref: SO431951
Trail map
The Pipe Walk at Carding Mill Valley map. | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

Burway Long Mynd Shropshire Rick Greswell

Trail

The Burway Loop: a walk to the top of the Long Mynd

Take a challenging walk from Carding Mill Valley up to the highest point of the Long Mynd, which offers impressive views across Shropshire and beyond.

View of the Lightspout Waterfall in the Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd, Shropshire

Trail

Lightspout Waterfall walk

Starting at Carding Mill Valley at the heart of the Long Mynd enjoy a sometimes challenging walk along a stream to the 4-metre cascade at the picturesque Lightspout Waterfall, taking in impressive geology and wildlife along the way.

The Burway and Bodbury Hill at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd, Shropshire

Trail

Reservoir walk

This shorter walk through the valley ends with beautiful views of the reservoir and beyond.

View toward Caer Caradoc at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd, Shropshire

Trail

The Long Mynd and Ratlinghope walk

A challenging 10-mile circular walk taking in both sides of the Long Mynd, with impressive views over Shropshire and a halfway stop at the pub for refreshments.

Church Stretton, Shropshire

01694725000

cardingmill@nationaltrust.org.uk

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website

Cycling in the autumn sunshine at Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills, Shropshire

Activity

Outdoor activities at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd

Enjoy the great outdoors at Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills. Find out about the best routes and keeping yourself safe while out walking and cycling on the Long Mynd.

Article

Things to do at Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd

Explore the great outdoors at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd. Enjoy a bracing walk, a challenging bike ride, a wild swim, have fun with the family or just take in the views.

Dog walking at Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills, Shropshire

Article

Visiting Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills with your dog

Carding Mill Valley is a one pawprint rated place. Explore miles of footpaths and open countryside with your dog at Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills. Find out how to keep the wildlife and your dog safe on your visit.

Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.

Two female visitors standing on the rocks at Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

Article

Staying safe at National Trust places

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.