Walking Amongst The Bluebells In Limekiln Woods.

Ok not really walking amongst them in January But in May we will be. Todays walk is through the forest of the Wrekin in Limekiln Wood.

Limekiln wood was once part of the Royal forest of Wrekin, and is one of the most botanically interesting woods in Telford surporting a range of limestone Flora. Over 150 plant species have been recorded here. You may see at the side of the path Sanicle, which as tiny white flowers on a upright stalk. Also later on you'll see the flowering spikes of Orchids. The woods is made up mainly of Ash but do have some old Oak and Sycamore Trees with Hazel and hawthorn providing the understory.

As with much of this area, these woods have a long history of Mining and Quarrying, which reached its heyday during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today the remnants of old workings are all that remain, including the ruins of old limekilns; the lime was used in nearby Coalbrookdale and for improving agricultural land. Coal was mined here in another part of the wood called Short Wood. The adits of abanddoned mineral working are known to have been rooting sites for Daubentons,Brown,Long-Eared and Pipistrelle Bats.

So Lets start our walk today..... We start at the Steeraway in Limekiln Lane, and cross a stile to take a path alonside the farm into the woods ( Following the Red way Markers). After about 200 Metres at a fork in the track bear right and continue uphill. Shallow limestone workings are evident on both sides of the path, which now starts to level off. At the Junction with another track we turn right, and continue downhill passing on our right Maddocks Hill Quarry while in front is the Wrekin Hill. Soon afterwards we turn Right along another path continue walking along with the Golf course on your left while enjoying the views of the Ercall Quarries untill the path swings to the left to cross the Golf Course ( Look out for Golfers!) here you get some beauitful views of the Wrekin also. Just pass the water tank on your left, and before you reach the club house we again turn right along another path here you will find the Bluebells in May with the area becoming a Sea of Blue as millions of Bluebells start to flower. When this path reaches a Junction we turn left downhill. There are paths leading off to both the right and the left but ignore theses and keep straight downhill untill you come to a path over looking a field, with the M54 Motorway and Wellington in Background here at the T junction in front of the field we turn right onto the broader pathway continue along this pathway behind the cottages untill you meet the gate pass through this and we return to the Steeraway.

Time Allow 2.1/2 hours.

Terrain... Mainly woodland paths

Follow Red Way Markers.