Wenlock Edge

Wenlock Edge is a limestone escarpment near Much Wenlock, Shropshire, England. It is 15 miles long and runs from South West to North East between Craven Arms and Much Wenlock. It is roughly 330 metres high (above sea level). It is so large that it can be seen from space. The deciduous woodland which runs along it covers much of the steep slopes of the escarpment and in parts it is very well preserved.

It is perhaps best known as the setting for A. E. Housman's poem "On Wenlock Edge the Wood's in Trouble". Ralph Vaughan Williams composed 'On Wenlock Edge' in 1909. It is also the subject of several works by the famous artist L. S. Lowry with the best known piece "A Bit of Wenlock Edge" which is a fine pencil drawing of the escarpment detailing the woodland.

It was featured on the 2005 TV programme Seven Natural Wonders as one of the wonders of the Midlands.

Wenlock Edge contains many interesting features such as Flounder's Folly, Wilderhope Manor and Shipton Hall, waymarked walks such as the Shropshire Way and bridleways such as The Jack Mytton Way and is a popular area for hillwalking, day walkers, cyclists, mountain biking, horseback riders, tourists and visitors to the area.

Local legend tells of a local robber and bandit named Ippikin, who buried his ill-gotten gains in the vicinity of the edge. Tales tell that should anyone stand on the escarpment and say "Ippikin, Ippikin, keep away with your long chin" that they will be pushed over the edge by the ghost of the erstwhile villain.

External links

* [http://www.amherst.edu/~rjyanco/literature/alfrededwardhousman/poems/ashropshirelad/onwenlockedgethewoodsintrouble.html On Wenlock Edge the Wood's in Trouble text]
* [http://www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk/about/Wenlock_Edge.shtml Virtual Shropshire tourist guide]
* [http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/walk01.htm Wenlock Edge - A Literary Walk]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/sevenwonders/midlands/wenlock-edge/index.shtml BBC]