Benthall Hall Ironbridge walk
This walk might be strenuous but it takes in lovely views of Benthall Hall as well as the world-famous town of Ironbridge. Make a day of it. Start in the morning from the car park at Benthall, walk down to Ironbridge for lunch and wander around this fantastic World Heritage Site, before returning to Benthall in the afternoon.
Near to
Benthall HallStart point
Benthall Hall car parkTrail information
Total stages: 13
Total stages: 13
Start point
Benthall Hall car park
Stage 1
Leave the car park, turn left and then take the left-hand path at the fork. Follow this path straight down to the woodland edge. Where the track forks to the right, continue straight ahead through the metal gate. For this part of the walk you are following purple waymark arrows.
Stage 2
Continuing to follow the purple waymark arrows. After around 164yd (150m) the path forks. Take the left-hand fork and follow the Shropshire Way signs, stop following the purple arrows, and head downhill for 1093yd. Look out for rare bird's-nest orchids about halfway down.
Stage 3
When you reach a junction with some other paths turn left.
Stage 4
At the bottom go through a kissing gate and turn right. You are now following the old railway track. Follow this path until you reach the Iron Bridge. At this point you can go off and explore Ironbridge, returning back to this point to start the return leg of the journey back to Benthall Hall. The return described below is fairly strenuous. If you'd prefer a more gentle return, simply go back the way you came.
Stage 5
Retrace your steps back onto the former Severn Valley Railway track and, after about 273yd (250m) along this path, take the path to the left through a squeeze stile, following the fingerpost to Broseley.
Stage 6
This is the start of a steep climb out of Ironbridge Gorge up a series of wooden steps. Keep heading up the steps and at the next junction after 76yd (70m), still signposted to Broseley, continue climbing for a further 219yd (200m) or so.
Stage 7
Turn right as you reach the top of the climb, following the red Severn Gorge Countryside Trust (SGCT) route arrows (they are mounted on the steps at this point).
Ironbridge walk steps | © National Trust Images Stage 8
Follow a pleasant gravel footpath and boardwalk meandering through the woods for around 547yd (500m), before branching right at the end of the boardwalk. The fingerpost here points to Patton’s Rock Quarry View. Cross the Bower Brook, following it for a short distance before bearing left up a steep incline, at the top of which is another fingerpost to Patton’s Rock Quarry View, still on the SGCT Red Route.
Stage 9
After 50m or so you reach the viewpoint and can take a well-earned rest here on the bench provided, as your climbing is complete. Enjoy views over the limestone grassland in the old quarry bed (which supports a variety of wild orchids) to Ironbridge.
Stage 10
At this point you leave the SGCT Red Route, which heads down a tortuous set of steps back into the gorge. Follow the fingerpost at the viewpoint that points to Benthall Hall, which takes you along the top of Benthall Edge. 'After negotiating a steep dip, ignore the path to the left and continue along the edge for another few metres until you reach a fork in the path with another fingerpost. Look out for bird's-nest orchids again on this section of the route.
Stage 11
Take the left fork, signed Spout Lane. Follow the path for 219yd (200m) or so, until you reach another fingerpost at a timber gate and stile leading to a path to the left. At this point you start following the purple waymark arrows again. You may enjoy looking for some of the many fossils on this section of the route in the stones that have fallen from the old quarry face.
Stage 12
Take the path over the stile to your left, signposted to Spout Lane. (Don't follow the sign to Benthall Hall as this joins back onto the route down to Ironbridge.) Pass through a spur to the woodland and out onto a farm track into open arable land.
Stage 13
After around 547yd (500m) the track (a public bridleway) turns left. Turn right at this point through a wooden bridleway gate and follow the path gently uphill through the fields for about 765yd (700m) to the Hall.
End point
Benthall Hall car park
Trail map
Benthall to Ironbridge walk route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
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.
Comer Woods explorer trail
Take this circular walk exploring the woodland around Dudmaston's wider estate. This mixed-surface route is suitable for walkers and cyclists.
Centenary trail
Discover two very different Rock Houses on this trail - one restored and another hidden in the trees - as you walk through woodland and heathland habitats.
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.
Get in touch
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Walking
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
Things to see and do at Benthall Hall
Benthall may be small, but it’s packed full of things to do. Explore the house and then stroll around the gardens and stop off for a snack of tea and cake.
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.
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.
Outdoor activities
Searching for a new outdoor activity to try? Discover the best places in our care for outdoor activities, including off-road cycle tracks, walking trails and coastlines for watersports.