The Wrekin

The Wrekin is a hill that stands just south of Wellington, a short drive or a forty minute walk from the centre of town. It isn't Shropshire's highest peak, but its isolation gives it a distinctiveness and a magnificence that has long made it the icon of the county. What's more, its somewhere that everyone can enjoy, held mostly in private hands but freely accessible to walkers all year round. The main path is also open to (very fit!) cyclists, but not cars - you can leave those in the recently refurbished carpark at the bottom.

If you're in the mood for exploring, there are acres of woodland walking tracks and miles of country lanes right around the base of the Wrekin and its smaller sister hill, The Ercall. For a map and some suggested cycling routes, see the 'All Round The Wrekin' heritage cycling trail, produced by Wellington's Local Agenda 21 Group and available to download by

For walking routes up and around The Wrekin, along with other useful information for walkers starting their journey or stopping off in the town, see Wellington's 'Walkers are Welcome' website by

From the Bronze Age to the time of the Roman conquest, a hillfort existed on the top of the hill. The remains of this are still evident in the form of Heaven Gate and Hell Gate, which walkers pass through on the way to the summit. The fort was occupied by the Celtic Cornovii tribe, whose kingdom stretched from the Wirrel down to South Shropshire.

The Wrekin was probably the Cornovii's chief hillfort, and its not difficult to see the attraction, affording as it does such far-reaching views of the surrounding country. Fifteen counties are visible from the summit in clear weather, and few English hills can promise such spectacular prospects for such a relatively short climb. If you do find yourself flagging on the way up, the Halfway House provides a welcome excuse for some refreshment and a sit down – you’ll find the serving hatch manned throughout the main part of the day during weekends and bank holidays.

On the History pages of this website, you can find articles on aspects of The Wrekin's past - namely on the rise and fall of the the that The Wrekin inspired, and the day in 1842 when radical climbed the hill as a symbolic show of strength. You can also read a version of the ancient

Finally, to find out about a recent Wrekin tradition - that of the annual Wrekin Barrel Race - see the Events pages, or