England: Ancient trackways around Grinshill

 Grinshill is a ridge, a mile or so in length, running east to west across the flat plain of north Shropshire. The southern slope is steeper than the northern one. 

It is composed of Triassic limestone, varying in colour between grey and red, which was laid down in vast deserts some more than two hundred million years ago. This is an excellent building stone, and was quarried extensively from the thirteenth century for use in Shrewsbury, about eight miles away, but is also found in use as far away as London. 

   There are many abandoned quarries scattered around the hill.

The village of Grinshill lies to the south of the hill, and Clive to the north. Clive is much the older settlement, with aspects of its parish church showing that it dates back to Norman times.

Modern roads run around Grinshill at some distance from the slopes. Closer in, there are ancient trackways, hollowed out by many generations of travellers.