A Walk in the Countryside at Dawley in Shropshire; Stage 3.
From the Ironbridge By-pass through Doseley to the Church at Dawley.

The final stage of the walk is from the Ironbridge by-pass near to the Jiggers Roundabout along Stoney Lane and Holywell Lane, both wide dirt roads, to Doseley. The route then crosses the railway track between Doseley and Horsehay ( the line is currently being reinstated ) to the suburbs of Dawley and then to Holy Trinity Church.


A map of the route of the walk 
in the Telford area of Shropshire


Cross the road using the island and enter Stoney Lane. There are farm buildings to the right and dwellings to the left as the first right hand bend is negotiated. Follow the lane which now bears left and down a slight gradient to a full left hand bend near a cottage.
Ahead towards the left is a row of cottages 'The Stockings'. Ahead towards the right houses of the New Lightmoor Village.


Looking across the Ironbridge 
by-pass at Stoney Lane Roundabout 
to the beginning of Stoney Lane 'The Stockings' and houses of
the New Lightmoor Village Looking across the by-pass at Stoney Lane Roundabout to the entrance to Stoney Lane (left) and 'The Stockings' cottages and houses of the New Lightmoor Village.

However, keep to the road which makes a right turn before reaching 'The Stockings' and ignoring the right turn at the next junction in the lane continue ahead along Holywell Lane.
Go straight on at the next junction just past the bungalow on the left and when adjacent to the bungalow on the right of the lane listen for the sound of running water. In the hedge opposite the building there is a well into which water flows through a pipe.
Where the lane reaches its low point there is again the sound of running water. Here a brook flows under the lane on its way to Rough Park Way and the New Pool.


Looking in the
direction of Holywell lane, a continuation of Stoney Lane The brick structure 
over the well in the hedge along Holywell Lane, Doseley A view along Holywell Lane near to the Well (left) and the Well.

There is a moderate incline ahead to where the lane joins a level road alongside a now overgrown railway embankment.

The last train to travel along this route was in 1964.

Follow the bend to the left and walk the short distance alongside the embankment to reach the main tarmac road. A short section of railway line can be seen in the roadway. This is Doseley Crossing.

St Lukes road at
Doseley where it crosses the old railway line A view of the 
new railway line from Doseley towards Horsehay The Crossing at Doseley (left) and looking along the railway towards Horsehay at the point where the walk enters the small copse on the right.

Pass through the gate to the railway track.( Some reconstruction work is in hand on the railway ). The now overgrown platform of Doseley Halt is on the left. Walk about 150 metres or so to a path across the line and turn right into a copse.
Alternatively, from Doseley Crossing take the main road route along St Lukes Road ( Doseley Road ). About 150 metres past the visible bend in the road there is a passage on the right which runs between two properties to a stile and then to the crossing over the railway and into the copse.

Follow the path through the copse for some 200 metres to reach a grassy area with houses beyond.

To the left is an Inn by a bridge.

Emerging from the 
small copse into a grassy area near the suburbs of Dawley A glimpse of 
Dawley Church tower between the houses which surround it Emerging from the copse to the area of grass and buildings beyond (left) and the Church just visible between the houses.

On leaving the grassy area turn right along the dirt road and up through a narrow stone and tree lined path to a wider section of the lane with trees to the right and the open space of the Phoenix Sports Ground to the left.
As you continue along the lane with its gradual bend to the right look ahead to the rows of houses. The top of the tower of Holy Trinity Church can be seen above or between the roof tops.

At the end of the lane a narrow path goes ahead to return you to the church. Otherwise turn left and take the alternative ways back to the visible tower along Trinity Road or Deepfields Road.

If you have any observations on this walk send me an e-mail.