Easthope combines routes along Wenlock Edge with the architectural and artistic history of St Peter’s Church. The Shropshire Way, an alternative route through Mogg Forest, and the geological features of Wenlock Edge each offer a different perspective. St Peter’s adds medieval origins and distinctive details to its setting.

Walking between lakes, woodland and Wenlock Edge

The eighth stage of the Shropshire Way from Wilderhope to Ironbridge reaches Easthope after passing alongside small lakes. From Easthope, walkers can climb to Wenlock Edge and rejoin the Shropshire Way. At Wenlock Edge, the Shropshire Way meets the Jack Mytton Bridleway. The route along Wenlock Edge runs for almost six miles on the trackbed of an old quarry tramway.

An alternative walking route to Easthope leads through Mogg Forest and includes a hidden hillfort with well-preserved ramparts. The routes differ in their landscape features: the stage from Wilderhope to Ironbridge passes alongside small lakes, while the alternative goes through woodland and to the ramparts. This allows you to distinguish the routes by their respective landscape and historical features.

Geology and landscape at Wenlock Edge

Wenlock Edge is a clearly defined escarpment that marks the gently dipping outcrop of Wenlock Limestone. The geological term “outcrop” refers to the zone where a rock layer appears at the surface. Easthope is one of the few settlements southwest of Much Wenlock directly on Wenlock Edge whose buildings use Wenlock Limestone. This creates a direct connection between the settlement’s architecture and the history of its underlying rock.

The Easthope (NE) geological site is the southernmost exposure of Wenlock reef facies at Wenlock Edge. Ippikin's Rock is designated as a RIGS example of a Wenlock Edge patch reef at its fullest development. The comparison highlights two distinct geological features: Easthope (NE) represents the southernmost exposure of the reef facies, while Ippikin's Rock represents the most fully developed patch reef.

St Peter: medieval origins and distinctive features

St Peter’s Church in Easthope is listed as a Grade II building and has medieval origins dating to the 12th century. Its features include a rare wrought-iron hourglass stand from 1662 and two stained-glass windows by Kempe & Tower. The carillon chimes are more in keeping with the European than the English tradition. The date of the stand, the makers of the windows and the European tradition of the carillon each offer a distinct point of interest.

A historic path in Easthope Wood

A disused path in Easthope Wood once ran between Hilltop and the foot of Ippikin's Rock. This former link adds a historical trace to the walking and landscape themes described above.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Clun, Kinton, Sidbury, Bucknell, Weston Rhyn, Frodesley, Saint Martin's, Cleobury Mortimer

Go to the main travel overview: Shropshire.