Here be Dragons

The two main highlights of this walk are the former quarries at Webscott and the nature reserve managed by Shropshire Wildlife Trust at Merrington Green. It's a story of contrast. Webscott is a relatively new landscape, created by nature taking over a post-industrial site. Since quarrying ceased here, the holes so crudely gouged out of the sandstone have been colonised by mosses, ferns and trees. The effect is delightful. Merrington Green, on the other hand, is a very old landscape which can be maintained only by human management, otherwise nature will turn it into just another woodland.

Of course, it would have been woodland originally, but in the Middle Ages it was cleared. At that time, nearly every village would have had a similar patch of land where commoners could graze stock, collect firewood and dig marl or turf. Such a system results in a range of habitats, which is often more ecologically valuable than a uniform block of woodland. Merrington Green is still a registered common, but the commoners no longer exercise their rights, which means scrub is encroaching. It is controlled by hand as far as possible, but the reintroduction of grazing would be a better way. However, sheep would be at risk from traffic because the green is unfenced.

One of the most valuable aspects of the green is the presence of three pools which have formed in old marl pits. An incredible 17 species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded here, making this easily Shropshire Wildlife Trust's top dragonfly location. The easternmost pool is fringed by marsh horsetail, a descendant of the giant horsetails of the primeval swamps, where the first dragonflies evolved over 300 million years ago. The largest species of dragonfly ever known is preserved in the fossil record from this time - it had a wingspan the size of a sparrowhawk's. Modern dragonflies are much smaller and each is a miniature miracle of design. If you get to see a resting dragonfly it's worth studying it in detail to appreciate the lethal beauty of these precision-built killing machines. Typically, an adult dragonfly will live only a few weeks, but in that time it will consume large numbers of smaller insects, caught on the wing. Its aerial acrobatics can be spectacular and its wings beat 30 times a second, allowing a dazzling range of manoeuvres. It can even fly backwards. The adult stage is preceded by two or three years spent under water as a nymph, in which form the insect is also a consummate predator. When a nymph is ready to metamorphose, it climbs out of the water on to a suitable plant. The ugly larval skin splits and a jewel-coloured adult emerges, crumpled at first, until it dries off and its wings inflate.

While you're there

In 1403, Henry IV defeated the Yorkists at the Battle of Shrewsbury. The site is simply called Battlefield, and there's a church there, just to the north of Shrewsbury. It was built on the King's orders after the battle, and eight chaplains were installed to pray for the dead. It's very atmospheric, even when the church itself is closed.

Where to eat and drink

Try the Red Castle or the Bridgewater Arms, or the exceptionally good organic café and farm shop at Lea Hall (no dogs allowed), all on the A528 at nearby Harmer Hill.

What to look for

You will notice some footpaths have waymarkers labelled 'Gough walk'. This is a millennium project, inspired by Richard Gough (1635-1723), who achieved fame through his book The Antiquities and Memoirs of the Parish of Myddle. Go in the church to find out more - it's fascinating stuff, and you can buy a pack of walk leaflets if you wish.