Shropshire is a county of contrasts. It is mainly agricultural and rural, yet it was the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Ironbridge Gorge is a major heritage site and I've made several visits over the years but not on this trip. There is evidence of the mining industry all over Shropshire, particularly near Stiperstones. The Bog Visitor centre is a good place to go and find out about the industrial history of Shropshire whilest enjoying a very fine afternoon tea. 
Shropshire has plenty of historic interest from earlier times. Wroxeter, near Shrewsbury, was one of the largest Roman towns in Britain and has some fine remains. Offa, King of Mercia, built a very large earthwork with the intent of keeping the Welsh out and this now forms part of the long distance trail known as Offa's Dyke Path. Shrewsbury and Shropshire play a large part in the Brother Cadfael novels of Ellis Peters. The local tourist board have devised some Cadfael tours of the countryside. The Shropshire countryside is very beautiful and there are lots of little country towns, ruined castles and country houses to make a very enjoyable visit.
The Shropshire Hills in the southwest of the county are classified as an area of outstanding national beauty in 1958. The Discovery Centre in Craven Arms houses an exhibiton about the hills, including a simulated balloon flight. There are plenty of hills besides the ten Marilyns I intended to climb. The Clee Hills are the highest ridge and the most easterly. Moving west you find Wenlock Edge, Long Mynd and Stiperstones. The Wrekin (shown left), just south of Telford, is probably the most well known hill as it rises from the plain slightly detached from the more southerly hills and has a distintive whaleback shape. The Wrekin became a unitary top in 1998 on the formation of Telford and Wrekin Council.
Brown Clee Hill (1772ft/540m) is the highest point in Shropshire. It was the second hill on the trip having warmed up on Titterstone Clee Hill the day before. It is the highest top for me so far. It was a very mild, if slightly overcast day when I set off from the picnic site about a mile from the summit. I decided to to the steep part of the climb first and get it over with, through woodlands onto the moorland at the top. The top is marked by a topograph and radio towers. The views would have been extensive but for the haze. Although a long way from anywhere it was a popular spot and I didn't have long to enjoy the view in solitude.
As well as walkers and cyclists, there were some rather wild looking ponies to contend with. The return path was over the moors via the Shropshire Way (which featured on most of my walks)and through estate land. (4.05 miles, 2hr 30mins 778ft of ascent).
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