Silkin Way

The Silkin Way is a 14 mile (23 km) walking and cycling route through Telford starting in Bratton and finishing in Coalport. In places the path follows the former Great Western Railway and the dry canal beds of the old Shropshire Canal and goes via Telford Town Centre and the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site. Along the route the Silkin Way runs close to the many natural and historical features within Telford and shows great contrasts between futuristic architecture, woodlands, and mature parkland.

Silkin Way
The black iron wheel close to the starting point in Bratton
Length	23 km (14 mi)
Location	Telford, United Kingdom
Established	1977
Designation	Medium distance footpath
Trailheads	Bratton, Apley Castle Park, Trench Pool, Telford Central Station, Telford Town Park, Blists Hill Victorian Town, Coalport Bridge
Use	Walking & Cycling
Highest point	169 m (554 ft), Snedshill
Lowest point	47 m (154 ft), Coalport
Difficulty	Easy
Season	All year
Waymark	Black iron 'Silkin Way' wheels mark important junctions
Sights	Apley Castle Telford Town Park Blists Hill Victorian Town Coalport China Museum
Surface	Mainly smooth and flat paths
Maintained by	Telford & Wrekin Council

Dawley & Stirchley Railway Station

The Silkin Way south of the Southall Road overbridge

History

The path is named after Lewis Silkin, the Minister responsible for the post-war Labour Government's New Towns Act 1946 and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.^[1] The Town Park to Coalport section of the route was opened in 1977 by the Prime Minister James Callaghan and the Bratton to Town Park northern section was added later.^[1] The path is marked with distinctive black iron wheels at important junctions.

Path description

Silkin Way is a designated cycle route and for most of the way uses old railway paths and canal beds and is mainly on flat and fairly smooth surfaces. There are a few steps but most are wide and easy to push bikes up and down. Cyclists are asked to use the alternative cycle route around the Telford Shopping Centre section. The highest part is on the approach to Holyhead Road just before Telford Central railway station providing an opportunity for walkers to divide the Silkin Way into two parts. With many places to stop and see on the path, Telford & Wrekin Council describe it is like a book^[2] - "you can read it all at once or just dip into it from time to time, digesting at your leisure".

Places of Interest

The Silkin Way passes through many areas showing the history of Telford and those of particular interest include;

• Apley Castle Park
• Hadley Park Mill
• Telford Town Park
• Stirchley Chimney and Furnace
• Dawley and Stirchley railway station
• Madeley Windmill
• Madeley Market Station
• Blists Hill Victorian Town
• Lee Dingle Bridge
• Coalport China Museum
• Coalport Bridge

See also

• Coalport Branch Line
• Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
• Long Distance Footpaths in the UK