Explore and Discover
the Mining History
of Cothercott and Wilderley Hills
from Thresholds Centre
It is suggested that you use these walk details in conjunction with
Explorer maps ; 217 & 241 in addition to
The Mines of South West Shropshire leaflet
produced by SWSMATG
available from Thresholds Centre
or downloadable from this website
There is a permanent display at Thresholds Centre
in the low building accessible every day
Distance 2 ½ miles
Park outside Thresholds Centre on the wide grass verge. Spend a little time in the Visitor Information area in the low building which houses a permanent display about
history of mining on Cothercott Hill.
This is open every day of the year.
A leaflet of this walk, including colour photos and full explanations of what you can see in relation to the history of mining, is for sale by contacting Thresholds Centre.
On your walk please follow the Country Code,
use the stiles and leave gates as you find them.
Keep your dog under control at all times.
1. Walk to the end of the stable block. Go over the stile into the field opposite Thresholds. Walk parallel to the fence until you are opposite the stile on the corner of the road. Now walk uphill keeping to the left of the brick water tank until you reach a fenced area with sapling trees
Stop and admire the view. On a clear day you can see across Wales to Snowdonia and even see Liverpool Catholic Cathedral. In the other direction there are magnificent views of the Stretton Hills and beyond.
2. Go through the double gates in front of you.
[ You are now on Explorer 241]
3.Bear left across the slope until you meet another fence. Look over and you can see traces of Cothercott mine. Follow the fence to the corner [*] and then follow round towards the road. Go over the stile and bear left until you reach the layby.
Here you will see the remains of Cothercott Mine with a concrete building foundation of the mill; millstones by the fence; adits and spoil on the hillside; traces of the
‘tramway’ track and a small vein of barytes. This mine closed after WWII.
4. To visit Wilderley Mine remains walk back along the road and go over the first stile. Walk obliquely left up the hill side for about 100 yards / metres. You will find yourself on a spur approximately level with the corner of the fence [*] you were at earlier but lower down the hill. Now bear downhill until you reach the remains of a concrete reservoir. Look for traces of the ‘tramway’ track which came from Cothercott Mine. Follow this and you will find the reservoir and the foundations of the buildings which is the site of Wilderley Mine.
Photos of what this mine looked like in 1919 are on display at Thresholds. You should be able to see the reservoir; foundations of buildings; adits and the ‘tramway’ track.
As Wilderley and Cothercott mines were developed much later than the lead mines of The Stiperstones the buildings were not of stone and did not include Cornish Engine Houses. The buildings were of corrugated iron and when the mine closed these buildings were moved to local farms.
5. Your return to Thresholds is along the ‘tramway’ track past pools and adits.
Turn your back on the reservoir and walk uphill. You should now meet or see the ‘tramway’ track. Follow this in an easterly direction in the small valley towards a fence. The track is quite well defined as the local farmer uses it when checking on livestock.
6. Go through the gate and continue along the tramway. You will now see evidence of rails on the tramway track, spoil heaps, collapsed entrances to adits in addition to an area where the veins were followed near the surface.
7. Make your way across the hillside, in line with the fence, towards the conifer wood where you meet the Shropshire Way.
Walk uphill keeping the wood on your left. At the top bear right. Go over the double stile.
8. Walk towards the boundary stone. This marks the boundary of The Manors of Cothercott and Wilderley. Walk to the road. Turn right and walk along the road back to Thresholds.
We hope you have enjoyed your walk.
A M Oakes Jones
Thresholds Centre June 2007