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Ancient guardians on Wenlock Edge

The red glow of sunset lights up the branches and twisted roots of a majestic yew tree on Wenlock Edge.


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Ancient guardians on Wenlock Edge

Yews are known for their longevity, and this particular tree is part of a group that is thought to be about 600 years old.

It's fascinating to think how long it has been standing guard along this path - and what sights it must have witnessed. 

Just a little further along I spotted another gnarled veteran clinging on to a near-vertical slope above the path.

I’ve photographed many of Shropshire’s ancient yew trees over the years, and they keep drawing me in.

Interestingly, if a yew’s branches touch the ground they will eventually take root and the tree will ‘walk’ - very slowly! - across the landscape.

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2026
Night sky lights up above Hopton Castle A Shropshire Lad starts a bright new chapter Squeezing through the Eye of the Needle Stunning rainbow appears over Shifnal New chapter opens for A Shropshire Lad Golden evening in the Redlake Valley Wonderful views on a walk to Battlestones Reflections on the iconic Iron Bridge A beautiful evening in the Stretton Hills Peace and quiet beneath Burrow Hill Symphony in blue at Chempshill Coppice Close encounter on the summit of the Wrekin A footpath into the past at Moreton Corbet Daffodils in bloom at beautiful Cardington A picture of pink and blue in springtime Clun Snow at sunrise on summit of Titterstone A path between the giants on Linley Hill Early morning walk along the Lawley Dusting of snow at sunrise in Stretton Hills Sunshine and ice on the summit of Caradoc Silent wave of white in ethereal Corvedale Sunshine and snow in the Shropshire hills Snowy scenes along the canal at Ellesmere History and a witch's fate on Stapeley Hill
2025
A look back at our best images from 2025 Picture countdown to Christmas in Shropshire A walk into autumn along Wenlock Edge Rainbow lights up the sky above Ludlow Stunning sight at sunset in Clun Valley Glorious colours along the Llangollen Canal Autumn arrives on the slopes of the Lawley Wind, rain and a spooky visit to the Hollies Close call as engine steams past Stokesay Beautiful Bridgnorth dazzles in the sunshine Over the stile on a footpath to discovery Garden raid on our raspberry harvest Magical morning in beautiful Clun Valley A misty walk at sunrise along Wenlock Edge Midsummer sunrise over field of purple Ancient guardians on Wenlock Edge Sunset view from the cave of Caractacus New jigsaw will test your local knowledge Perfect spot to capture view of Ludlow Castle Bluebells and birdsong on Wenlock Edge Clouds of white along path of old railway line Brown Clee rises above a sea of glorious gold A walk on the wild side of the Stiperstones Sunshine and colour light up the Dingle Spring stages dazzling display in Shropshire Glorious sight as birds take to the skies Clouds and sunlight in the Shropshire Hills Sunshine and sea of mist on Brown Clee Sea of flowers heralds the approach of spring Ice and frost on the canal at Ellesmere Broseley heritage featured in new jigsaw Snowy sentinels on the summit of Titterstone Beautiful light as sun sets in the Corvedale
2024
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2023
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2022
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2021
A look back at our best images from 2021 Sea of white as sun rises over Bridgnorth My home from home in the Clun Valley Autumn reflections in the Llangollen Canal Flash of colour over Titterstone Clee Harvest time in the shadow of the Wrekin Sunshine and rain at Stokesay Castle Magical view as sun rises over Shropshire Landscape that inspired novelist Mary Webb A step back in time along Offa's Dyke Village that may have inspired Conan Doyle Sunrise and silence in the Shropshire Hills A bird's-eye view of Shropshire Spectacular sunrise over Ludlow Patchwork of green beneath Moyledd Hill Evening sunlight on Titterstone Clee Hailstorms, wind and rain on Caer Caradoc Spectacular blossom across Shropshire Light and shadows on the Stiperstones A frosty morning on Whitcliffe Common Spring blossoms into life in beautiful Clun A view of Bridgnorth with a difference Brief encounter on Hopesay Common Sunshine and snow on Caer Caradoc Dark shadow of a Civil War massacre Pink glow of moonrise over the Wrekin
2020
Our favourite images in a year of challenges Frost and mist over dreamy Bridgnorth Misty dawn in the Redlake Valley Legacy of industry on Brown Clee Country idyll of the postman poet A step back in time at Wenlock Priory Golden light on Tolkien's Middle Earth A magical sunrise on Caer Caradoc Judges commend Ironbridge image Tranquil evening in the Clun Valley Peace and solitude at Brook Vessons Sunrise and shadows at Clun Castle A landscape in green and gold Misty dawn over the ruins of Ludlow Castle A celebration of beautiful Shropshire Triumph of the Clun Green Man Sea of gold at Smethcote church Sun and snow on the Clee Hills Spring is just around the corner Watery scene at Attingham Park New Shropshire book on the way A visit to 'Shropshire's Pompeii' Early morning sunshine on Linley Hill beeches Winter sun on the Hollies Nature Reserve Mist over Shropshire Reflections on the past Sunrise from Caradoc
2019
End of an era at Ironbridge Sunset picture in national magazine

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