Shropshire
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Adstone
SO394937 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by John Brown (14/04/2003)

'Adstone is a part-timer on a remote gated asphalt lane; no signs, but a small footbridge.'





Beambridge
SO537885 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Mike Webb (15/11/2005)

'4x4 only, hard floor about 25 feet across and 12” deep. Very nice countryside with footbridge adjacent to it. Access via a green lane which offers no problem to a 4x4 but regular cars would suffer!'







Bicton
SO289826 (4*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Wayne Foxall (25/01/2004)

'About 60-70 ft across about 1ft deep with stone base. Wouldnt recommend car going through. Small bridge set aside for cars.'





Bitterley
SO556783 (2*) Suitable for All
(08/07/2001)

Dogditch brook which produces Bitterley Ford is no more than a trickle but dissipates over the road to create a splash-down of around 2 car lengths. The result is a shallow ford which you can stand in without getting your feet wet (below). This one can be hit with speed!

Geoffs Pages





Boraston
SO618702 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (11/01/2003)

'Nice ford in pleasant village setting. Deepish (about 8"), about 20' across, gravel bottom, nasty lip on southern side, signs, footbridge.'









Brockton (x3!)

SO325859 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
SO335856 (2*) Off-Roaders Only!
SO335855 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Brown, Christopher Instone (Image 1: 10/05/2012), Wayne Foxall (Image 2: 25/01/2004) and Fergus Muir (Image 3: 07/07/2009)

'Image 1 shows the first ford which is in pleasant village setting. Deepish (about 8"), about 20' across, gravel bottom, nasty lip on southern side, signs, footbridge.'

'The second is on a byway only accessible by 4x4's. Water is about 8 inches deep and about 15ft across with cobbles.'

'The final ford is a bit smaller than the others. No cobbles in this one, but looked quite firm (I didn't try it, as I was at the start of a visit to new friends) Deepest point perhaps 6 inches, but water had clearly dropped since a recent flood. The lane leading to the ford can get very deeply cut up.'





Bronynant
SJ239256 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (11/01/2003)

'Shallow watersplash on narrow twisty lane (marked Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles, although it's good asphalt throughout). Stone slab "footbridge", no Ford signs.'





Bucknell
SO346741 (2*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Wali Taylor (Image 1: 25/05/2006) and Christopher Instone (Mouseover: 10/05/2012)

'Nice little ford with rocky bottom and steep exits water about 10" on my vist but it would rise rapidly with some decent rain. The back of my 1939 Ariel Red Hunter kicked about a bit as it tried to find traction on the large pebbles.'







Burlington (x2!)

SJ775110 (1*) Suitable for All
SJ787095 (1*) Suitable for All
(07/06/2002)

The ford nearest Burlington is a short and shallow affair with a cobbly splashdown for southbound traffic. The cobbles indicate the original ford prior to road widening. Image 1 mouseover sent in by Robert Cotterell (29/07/2003)

Sent in by Nicholas Woollett (06/09/2002):
'Just south of Burlington is this normal ford on a quiet lane with just a few inches of water in this dry period.'

Geoffs Pages





Cadbury
SO614733 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (27/07/2002)

'A basic little watersplash with a bump, concrete bottom and small footbridge on western side, Ford signs.'





Cardingmill Valley
SO441947 (2*) Suitable for All
(15/07/2002)

Set amidst the stunning landscape of the Long Mynd is this shallow ford of a round 1.5 car lengths. This is probably one of the busiest fords in the country due to the popularity of the area. For the major ford enthusiasts amongst you, take the path up to the valley to cross four foot fords!
Geoffs Pages





Cardington
SO504951 (1*) Suitable for All
(15/07/2002)

Nothing but a little cobbly splash this one, hidden away on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Cardington.





Cheney Longville
SO427851 (2*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Graham Davis (30/10/2007)

'2 in 1 here. Approach from the north is down a narrow stoney lane with an "unsuitable for motor vehicles" sign buried in the hedge. Shown as an ORPA by the OS. The first part of the ford is through the River Onny and is about 10mtrs wide and looks deep, but I wasn't able to check, with a sandy, stoney bottom. No depth guage and footbridge to the side.

The track then climbs over a steep mud lip into a narrow confined track with a small stream up the one side, for about 75m. Footpath is up on the one side where the bank has been raised with a timber pallisade. Stream finally ends at the site of an old demolished railway bridge, that used to be part of the Bishop's Castle Railway. Not one for my Freelander as good ground clearance is needed to get through the later section.'











Clee St Margaret (x2!)

SO565844 (4*) Suitable for All
SO557843 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
(08/07/2001)

Clee St Margaret is one of those fords which provides sheer entertainment. Here, the stream joins the road and uses the lane as a river bed around a bend for about 15 car lengths, before coming to a conclusion at a small waterfall.

In the first image there is a the sign hidden away in the vegetation, it reads: 'Slippery Ford, Cyclists must dismount'. You have been warned! (Images 1 to 3)

Geoffs Pages

For the more adventurous, head 1km to the west of Clee St Margeret where you will find a BOAT. Start from the East and proceed down the gulley ( approx250 metres ) , turn left into the Clee Brook and proceed down river for approx 50 metres. Exit to the right just before the footbridge and climb up the gulley to Peckledy Farm. Total length approx 1 click. Warning :- The water is up to 750mm deep with a boulder strewn bed and 3 rock ledges to climb down. Sheer bliss (Image 4). Sent in by Roger Fairclough (31/10/2007).





Clun
SO303807 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown and Richard Haynes (26/09/2010)

'This used to be a deep, rough ford across the River Clun (about 15 yards across) on the edge of this remote and charming little town. Picnic site on north shore. It has now been tamed with a new concrete base'





Condover
SJ504064 (3*) Suitable for All
(20/09/2002)

This is a sizeable ford of a few car lengths. The bottom is tarmaced and provides a gentle splashdown. The picture was taken at low flows and I feel this doesn't quite do the ford full justice.

Geoffs Pages







Cound (x2!)

SJ552034 (2*) Suitable for All
SJ552033 (1*) Irish Bridge
(20/09/2002)

There are two fords very close to each other at Cound, but both quite different! The first is the best and is a simple little ford of just over a car length with an uneven concrete bottom. Signs warn of the hazard, but there is no depth marker.

However, just around the corner, there is another ford. This one is an Irish Bridge; something of a rarity in these parts. (Image Mouseover sent in by Mark Weller, 24/07/07)

Geoffs Pages





Cruckmeole
SJ430095 (2*) Irish Bridge
(20/09/2002)

A fantastic part-timer well hidden away. The ford resembles something of a causeway over the culverted river and also has an impressive footbridge to match. Also, just around the corner on the main lane to Cruckton there is an elevated walkway either side of the bridge. This perhaps indicates a part-time ford?





Cwms
SO473943 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Roger Fairclough and Christopher Instone (30/12/2011)

'Little known route that is vehicle legal. 4x4 is a must as the approach from either end is very rough. Ford is only 1.5 metres x100mm deep with stony bottom but surroundings idyllic. Closest town is Church Stretton.'







Diddlebury (x2!)

SO507853 (2*) Off-Roaders Only!
SO501860 (3*) Suitable for All
(07/09/2003)

A disused ford about 4" deep and 10m across. There is nothing to stop anyone from having a go, but I think you may be the first in a while (Image 1).

Image 2 shows another ford in Diddlebury sent in by Geoff Cryer (15/02/2004)





Draycott
SO809931 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by John Walton (11/06/2014)

'This ford is found on an atrocious public road leading to Lower Aston Farm. The road is worse than many byways I have travelled down. Truely appalling.'





Earls Ditton
SO636751 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by John Brown (27/07/2002)

'Nice little Irish bridge, on a skew in a pretty setting, set in a network of lovely narrow lanes. Ford triangle signs.' A rare part-time Shropshire ford!







Frodesley
SJ508027 (1*) Irish Bridge
(07/09/2003)

I drove through this one and didn't even acknowledge it's existence! Basicly an overgrown Irish Bridge, it is signposted from the North as a ford.





Glenburrel
SO412861 (2*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Brown (12/01/2003)

'Just off the A489 3 miles NW of Craven Arms, on the old public road to Longville Common, lurks this big, deep, rough ford across the River Onny, about 35ft wide and suitable only for 4x4s at the best of times, with a very steep and muddy ramp each side. However, wheelmarks show that, even in January of a wet winter, it is in use. Footbridge, no signs.' Image mouseover sent in by Mark Knibbs (09/04/2009)





Harrington
SJ742022 (2*) Restricted Access
(19/04/2003)

An adventure awaits anyone who attempts to find this little Salopian ford. The ford is shallow and easy, but the road at either side is dusty and in some places rough. Non 4x4 drivers stand the best chance approaching from the north. Please bear in mind that this is not a public road and so ask permission first from Harrington Hall.





Hayton
SO518820 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Bernie Blundell (30/05/2007)

'Concrete bottom very slippery,approach down a single track no through road.'





Kempton
SO358831 (2*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Brown (12/01/2003)

'On a peaceful village back lane, this smallish ford looks deceptively innocuous at first glance, but the Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles signs are to be taken seriously: when this photo was taken, it was over two feet deep. Gravel and mud bottom, about 25ft across, with footbridge and Ford signs.' Image mouseover sent in by Wayne Foxall (03/10/2004)

Geoffs Pages





Kenley
SJ554016 (2*) Suitable for All
(20/09/2002)

Hidden away on a largely unused (and dark!) lane is this pretty little setted ford. However, this ford has the potential to engulf the road for a considerable distance as the stream flows alongside the road for 50m after the ford. (Image Mouseover sent in by Mark Weller, 24/07/07)

Geoffs Pages





Knowbury
SO582739 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (27/07/2002)

'Another basic watersplash, shallow concrete trough across a narrow & overgrown lane, just about asphalt surface but breaking up in places. Signed as No Through Road from both ends (work that one out!).'





Leebotwood
SO487989 (1*) Suitable for All
(08/07/2001)

This is the first of two fords situated on this straight and narrow road between Leebotwood and Longnor. This timid ford has a cobbly bottom and no depth marker which gives the impression that it rarely reaches any depth.

Geoffs Pages









Little Stretton (x3!)

SO441919 (2*) Suitable for All
SO441917 (1*) Suitable for All
SO436911 (1*) Irish Bridge
(15/07/2002)

The northernmost ford is the best, simple but picturesque nestling in the foothills of the Long Mynd. The ford merely acts as an access road to a local campsite and has a rocky bottom (Mouseover sent in by Wali taylor showing Pat Bradsaw on an Ariel HT5 taking the splash.)

Just a little downstream is the second ford (Image 2). It has a bridge and is driveable by anyone, but requires a reverse out!

Finally, Image 3 shows a very, very small Irish Bridge located just to the south of the village. Geoffs Pages





Longnor
SO493995 (1*) Suitable for All
(08/07/2001)

The second of two fords between Longnor and Leebotwood, but this one provides even less of a splashdown. Quite possibly, this is the smallest 'full-time' ford I have encountered!

Geoffs Pages







Lower Darnford (x2!)

SO416978 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
SO415978 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Walton (22/10/2015)

'This is the first of two fords on the Darnford Brook at Lower Darnford. Image 1 in fact shows a pair of fords. Image 2 shows the second'





Lower Faintree
SO657880 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Walton (10/06/2014)

'This ford on the Winterburn Brook is found on a gated bridleway beneath Low Faintree Farm.'







Maesbury
SJ306248 (3*) Suitable for All
(24/06/2004)

Description sent in by Robert Cotterill:
'A small but impressive deepish ford in a pretty location near to the end of a spur from the Shropshire Union canal. It is deceptive in that it has a dip in the middle and could trick an unwary car driver into thinking it was shallow all the way across. It was about 10 ins deep when I went through it but easily could become totally impassable for cars after any moderate rainfall.' Image Mouseover sent in by James Tomkins (22/01/2007), Image 2 sent in by Roger ? (25/06/2007)







Mardu (x2!)

SO270836 (1*) Suitable for All
SO264843 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Wali Taylor, Pat Bradshaw (Image 1: 21/01/2005) & Christopher Instone (Image 2: 10/05/2012)

'The first photo was taken in Oct 2004 and shows Lew Walwork mounted on a WW2 Ariel WNG 350cc. The ford has a concrete bottom which can be prone to slipperiness due to algae. Water is never deep, no signs or depth gauges. The exit road is of the green lane type and although I quite happily ride it on a 1930 Ariel I think most modern car drivers would not dare to use it'

'Image 2 shows the second ford - about 6" or so deep on the day and about 20 foot across on a tarmac base.'







Mawley
SO688747 (4*) Restricted Access
Sent in by John Walton (Image1: 26/11/2013, Image2: 07/02/2014)

'Ford across the River Rea, below Mawley Hall. Below the ford the river cascades over a weir.'





Middlehope
SO495876 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Walton (07/08/2015)

'This ford is found on Dunstan's Lane in Middlehope.'









Neen Savage
SO674775 (4*) Suitable for All
(08/07/2001)

The River Rea is a sizeable stream and this makes for a very good crossing (around 5 car lengths). However, the ford at Neen Savage would make for quite a dodgy crossing after a bit of rain. This is to some degree justified by the high flood mark of 1947 marked on the pedestrian footbridge! The view from which shows the ford in full glory (below). Notice that a slight deviance to either side of the ford could leave you in deep water! Image 1 mouseover sent in by Jonathan Sadler (07/07/2009) Image 3 shows the ford in flood and was sent in by Christopher Instone (02/05/2012)

Geoffs Pages





Norbury
SO365929 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (14/04/2003)

'Norbury is a small gravel watersplash on a back lane of this sleepy and pretty village, with a little stone footbridge. The lane is signed Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles (no Ford signs). It is asphalt south of the ford, and slightly roughish but passable gravel north; the main unsuitable feature is a very nasty ledge on the south shore up on to the asphalt.'





Old Forge at Longnor
SJ485013 (3*) Suitable for All
(15/07/2002)

This interesting ford looks quite intimidating at first due to the small waterfall downstream. However, at (safe) low flows, this makes for a good splashdown and is a ford well worth visiting.

Geoffs Pages









Pontesbury (x2!)

SJ399057 (3*) Suitable for All
SJ399059 (1*) Restricted Access
(20/09/2002)

Pontesbury is home to a small 'ford ensemble'. The same river is forded twice in quick succession by two different lanes, each producing a slightly different cobbly splashdown. Also just downstream, there is this little ford which is not for the faint hearted. The picture does not quite do justice to the plunge encountered (scrape marks aplenty on the tarmac)!

Geoffs Pages







Prescott
SO658810 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (Image 1: 27/07/2002) and Christopher Instone (Image 2: 02/05/2012)

'Good little ford with a concrete bottom.'







Pulverbatch
SJ431022 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Walton (Image 1: 10/06/2014) and Dan Shrewsbury (Image 2: 27/07/2014)

'This ford is found along the byway leading down from Church Pulverbatch.'





Ratlinghope
SO401969 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Roger Fairclough & Mark Knibbs (28/04/2008)

'The ford is on an ORPA adjacent to the village of Ratlinghope near to the Long Mynd in Shropshire. The television series " The Green Green Grass " was filmed here. The route is open to all traffic but once passed the ford it is 4x4 only . The ford is about 15ft wide 6" deep with a rough rocky base.'





Seifton
SO482831 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (12/01/2003)

'Near the end of a short dead end lane through a pretty hamlet is this concrete ford covering the fork in the road where the drive to Pool Cottage leaves the public thoroughfare. Two streams meet here, too, and there are two footbridges (one closed off)'





Stoney Stretton
SJ384095 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Brown (12/01/2003)

'The little asphalt white road round the western edge of the village rejoins the yellow road through this deep pool of a ford - around 2ft at the time of visit - which fully justified the Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles signs (Ford sign on N side only).'

The local farmer has also created an unofficial shallower second ford alongside the footbridge about 20yd upstream.'







Strefford
SO444855 (4*) Suitable for All
(15/07/2002)

This is one of the bigger fords in Shropshire and has the potential to be quite a treacherous crossing. However, due to the length (about 4-5 car lengths), the splashdown is normally quite shallow making this another good one to hit at speed! Image 2 sent in by Wayne Foxall (03/10/2004)

Geoffs Pages





Sweeney Fen Ford
SJ275250 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Rob Pengelly (09/10/2006)

'It's on a quiet narrow lane that runs up the hill from the A495 and carries the stream from the Nature Reserve. It is open to all but it's not quite as straightforward as it looks - after driving it many times I can safely say that it does get rather deep after heavy rain and on one occasion I only just made it through as the level had risen to a fair depth and it was flowing very quickly. There's a small, rather overgrown little footbridge to one side and a couple of old, faded warning signs a fair way before you get to it.'





Sychtyn
SJ234251 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (12/01/2003)

'A little concrete watersplash on a pretty lane, with small footbridge and faded depth gauge. No signs.'





Trefonen Hall
SJ246265 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (12/01/2003)

'On a tiny twisty lane between farms, this well signed ford has a patchy concrete bottom and a stone slab footbridge. About 15ft across and 4in deep.'





Upper Hengoed
SJ293341 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Rob Pengelly (21/05/2007)

'it's a small but picturesque shallow ford in a wooded dip on a narrow minor road just west of the A5 between Oswestry and Chirk. It has a footbridge, a good concrete base, warning signs from both directions and a small 3ft depth gauge but on inspection I doubt it would get anywhere near that deep. I'll have to go back and drive it in winter to make sure though. The beck is the infant River Perry, only about half a mile or so from its source.'





Wigwig
SJ605015 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Nicholas Woollett (06/09/2002)

'This one was dry when visited but has a low concrete barrier designed to keep the worst of the water out. Of course, when the water level goes over the barrier the depth inside would be considerable making it one to watch in bad weather. Image mouseover courtesy of Geoffs Pages'

Geoffs Pages







Woodhill
SO725838 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (27/07/2002)

'Very nice setted ford in an attractive wooded valley. Two to three car lengths long. Complete with depth gauge, ford signs and a small waterfall off southern edge.'









Wooton (x2!)

SO769890 (2*) Suitable for All
SO763891 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Lee (Image 1: 09/06/2002) and Dave Holden (Images 2&3: 18/04/2009)

The most well-known ford at Wooton nestles at the junction of a couple of minor roads near Bridgnorth. The ford is around one car length long and is only shallow, but appears to be well used. 'The second crosses the same stream, but is a much longer and rougher affair. It's quite a narrow, rough byway and so is only suitable for 4x4s. Basically the Byway runs from So 767 889 to SO 762 894 and part way along it follows a stream bed. It was around 40m long on this visit, but it can get a lot longer in really wet weather.'







Worthen
SJ324041 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Michael Price (01/10/2017)

'Worthen Brook, just Southwest of Shrewsbury. Ford looks to be just to access a field (from a road aptly called "Millstream"), but the Brook itself is a legal road. I managed to walk it this morning. Firm base, mostly shingle, but silt is firm. Mostly shallow, less than 12" but with one spot having a deep cut of about 24" round a tree. Probably navigable by a soft-roader although if the west end is used as an exit, then 4WD would be needed. Lots of undergrowth, so pretty scratchy - for paintwork as well as hands/face! Brook would be just wide enough along it's legal length for a car - I estimate it to be a good 500 metres of wetness. Lovely. Runs from SJ324041 to SJ327045 '









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