Clee Hills

Charming and captivating. But look a little closer and you'll unearth the hidden heritage of the Clee Hills and the Corvedale. Coal mining on the Clee Hills started in medieval times while the Corvedale was alight with blast furnaces and iron foundries. Billowing black smoke would have filled the valley as chunks of the hills were carved out.

Today the scene is somewhat different. Black dhustone is still quarried on Titterstone Clee, but Brown Clee is silent. Nature has reclaimed the hills and remnants of rare wildflower meadows survive while the disused quarries have become home to a wealth of wildlife, including the peregrine falcon.

The Corvedale is the broadest valley in the Shropshire Hills and the River Corve is lined with alder. Over the last five years much of the alder has been coppiced to restore the river habitat - look out for the blue flash of a kingfisher or imprint of an otter paw along the river bank.

Things to do

Walking in the Clee Hills

The Shropshire Way guides you over both Titterstone and Brown Clee and a circular walk has been devised around Brown Clee taking in Nordy Bank hillfort - unusual as it only has a single rampart. Walk leaflets are also available on each hill. Ask at local Visitor Information Centres or visit www.shropshirewalking.co.uk

Three Castles Walk

As the name suggests, this is a beautiful walk through the Corvedale taking in three castles along the 11-mile route - Broncroft, Corfham and Corfton. The walk crosses the River Corve. Look out for black poplar trees, nationally rare, but you will see a number along this walk - you can't miss the locally known 'Corfton Three' at Corfton. You can make this walk shorter by following alternative paths. Buy the walk leaflet (50p) at local Visitor Information Centres or download a copy at www.shropshirewalking.co.uk