Whitchurch, Shropshire

[chillyuk]

We are going up to near Whitchurch for a few days next week. I thought I would take my bike and maybe stick my front wheel into Wales, just for the hell of it! Is anyone from that neck of the woods, Whitchurch, not Wales, and are there any decent road rides about 30 miles or so.

 

[BikeLiker]

I've ridden this from Chester to Whitchurch return. Roads are quiet but some dodgy surfaces around Malpas. Farndon is a nice stop on banks of river Dee and there's a nice cafe in Chester at the Racecourse carpark.

 

[chillyuk]

Thanks BL, that looks a nice ride, made even better by the very flat elevation line at the bottom!

 

[The Brewer]

That is a nice ride passing through some nice little villages. I come down from Wrexham when I'm not in the mood for hills these Cheshire roads are a welcome change.

My usual stopping cafe is the one at 25miles on the map, its right next to a canal lock staircase at Grindley brook.

Another nice little ride would be down south west to Ellesmere briefly crossing the boarder through Hamner, but you really can't go wrong in this North Shropshire / Cheshire border area

 

[BikeLiker]

Thanks BL, that looks a nice ride, made even better by the very flat elevation line at the bottom!

Hmm, didn't notice elevation line. I know it's called the Cheshire Plain but I don't think it's 32000 ft below sea level!

 

[BikeLiker]

My usual stopping cafe is the one at 25miles on the map, its right next to a canal lock staircase at Grindley brook.

Yes, I'd forgotten that one - highly recommended

 

[accountantpete]

Take the road to Wirswall - a gentle climb going out of town (steep coming back!) and you can see the Cheshire Plain - head to Marbury and meander around.

Alternatively google Brown Moss and then explore the east of the area.

South is Prees (big cafe ) and plenty of flat roads - bit less picturesque.

North is Beeston Castle/Peckforton Castle/Sandstone Trail (this is well worth ditching the bike and taking and energetic walk).

 

[Holdsworth]

A nice area and one that I regularly frequent being only 15 or so miles away in Crewe. There are plenty of relatively quiet lanes to ride on, mostly flat or undulating but with a few hills (Wirswall). There are quite a few nice villages to ride through with places to stop for cake. Loads of attractions within a few miles, Cholmondeley Castle, Beeston Castle, Ellesmere Lake etc.

 

[al-fresco]

The station or local tourist office should have the leaflet "Whitchurch Cycle Rides" which has a selection of local routes from 9 to 27 miles. There's also NCR 31 which runs through great country to Oswestry and NCR 45 which runs to Chester in one direction and, well, to Salisbury (ultimately) in the other - but there's a good stretch from Whitchurch to Shrewsbury - and if you don't fancy riding back you can always catch the train.

Whitchurch is, unfortunately, on the junction of 4 OS sheets 117, 118, 137 & 138 - but, if you like quiet, gently undulating road, you really can't go wrong - it's great cycling country.

 

[chillyuk]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will only have time to get out a couple of times and BikeLiker's route looks good for one of them, and something from AccountantPete's list looks promising. We are staying at Higher Heath, just slightly south of Prees. The big transport cafe looks very inviting when I have seen it before, but as I am working at trying to reduce my weight I had better give it a miss! I wont have internet access up there, but if anyone scalps an overweight geriatric on a yellow 20 year old Raleigh road bike in the area it could well be me!

 

[andytheflyer]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will only have time to get out a couple of times and BikeLiker's route looks good for one of them, and something from AccountantPete's list looks promising. We are staying at Higher Heath, just slightly south of Prees. The big transport cafe looks very inviting when I have seen it before, but as I am working at trying to reduce my weight I had better give it a miss! I wont have internet access up there, but if anyone scalps an overweight geriatric on a yellow 20 year old Raleigh road bike in the area it could well be me!

Take the cycle route south from Whitchurch to Wem - about 10 miles. Really quiet, good surfaces, no steep bits, and there are several good cafes in Wem. This is one of my regular runs. Any back lane routes around Wem, Prees, Whitchurch and Whixall are very good cycling. Can't go wrong. I think this must be amongst the best and quietest cycling in the UK.

Andy

 

[chillyuk]

I'm home!

Had a good time and got in a couple of rides. In the end I went up to Wrexham, on the Tuesday when it was blowing a gale and squalling rain! I stopped under a "Welcome to Wales" for the obligatory photograph. My second ride was Prees then off round the lanes. I have no idea where, I just rode round. I ended up at Stanley Green then Tilstock, and I couldn't resist the Raven Cafe for a nice plate of liver and bacon!

Some of the main roads were a bit scarey at times as they tend to be a bit narrow and fast, but once in the lanes I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the area.

Crappy photo, but crappy phone I took it with!