Can I walk across England's most Tolkien-esque county using only footpaths?
Evening patreons. Here's a little something for you to enjoy.
(presuming you've regained the capacity for enjoyment after last night's heartbreak)
GOOD SUBTITLES AVAILABLE
We’re blessed with an incredible network of public footpaths and ancient rights of way here in the UK, and last month I decided to test them like they’d never been tested before: by attempting to cross an entire county without leaving them. The county I chose was the beautiful and mystical county of Shropshire.
By default, this was always going to be a No Roads Mission, but in reality it would feel much more like a Tenner in My Pocket-style adventure. Partly because I hadn’t brought a tent, but mainly because there were barely any shops, pubs or other places selling food and drink anywhere near my painstakingly plotted route.
Throw in the heat and a whole host of hopelessly overgrown paths, and you’ve got yourself one seriously grueling jaunt. But would it satisfy my main craving: to feel as though I were embarking on a medieval journey?
Can I walk across England's most Tolkien-esque county using only footpaths? (YouTube)
Comments (40)
Part 2?
Love you tom , salop 🔵🟠🔵🟠
We need part 2
This has inspired me and my boyfriend (ft the dog) to book a getaway to Shropshire- how bloody lush is this! Not to be pushy but are we getting part 2 tonight? 👀
always love the runescape references
when is part 2 out for patreons?
Another incredibly wholesome adventure. One of my faves. Thanks Tom!
Mate, why didn’t you bring a Lifestraw or something similar? Those very small water filtering devices. Dehydration is a killer.
Lovely adventure, cheers Tom
This is great timing, Tom! I've just started the Offa's Dyke Path yesterday, inspired in no small part by your videos. Funnily enough, I was partially sold on this particular trail because of a review I read mentioning the similarity of some sections to The Shire! Looks like you might be hiking part of the ODP at the end of your adventure, cant wait to see that assuming you make it, given your teaser at the end of the vid. Cheers!
Love this. My spiritual home county (even though I'm stuck now in Derbyshire) and it's as beautiful as I remember. Just as quick ask whilst I'm here, there seems a lot of bonus stuff on YouTube that no longer gets uploaded to here (Patreon) - having just signed up for Patreon to support you, should I be subscribing to YouTube instead? Other than the main posts, there's not been additional stuff here it seems for a little while...
That's all old stuff that has been available on Patreon for years... you need to go back into the archive here!
what watch is it? would you recommend it?
Awesome adventure as per! Is this route public on OS Maps? … before I start trying to figure it out myself 😂
My absolute favourite kind content that you create. Only mildly disappointed that you didn't actually do it while cosplaying as a hobbit.
Up there with the classics this one, great little hybrid of formats! And what a lovely supporting cast from start to finish, everyone in this video does their county proud. And to end up sitting in a canteen in the middle of nowhere showing a bunch of pissed farmers your channel - whatever next :D Also here's hoping Pat's alright...
Brilliant adventure, mate. I love the endlessly curious way you live your life.
Thank you. Always deeply inspiring in so many ways.
I'd love to see you walk the entire length of the viking way in Lincolnshire and all the landmarks and historic towns it visits along the way. A great mix of countryside and urban exploration together 😊
Corrrr another brilliant concept for an adventure! And that 'Garden' track has to be one of the most nostalgic tunes from OS Runescape. I started playing again recently just to potter about with classic tunes playing in the background. Superb fit for these videos!
As soon as I saw you petting a horse surrounded by wildflowers I knew this was going to be another great one. Thank you for enduring the heat to document such beautiful places.
Tom, you should reach out to my buddy Joseph. He has a channel called Field Study where he basically forages for food, I could see you two coming up with some great content together. You'd really get on, too!
If the entire UK was just this, it would be the nicest country in the world!
What‘s the direct link to the video? On iOS I can no longer open the embedded video. Thanks for the help!
Just tap the YouTube icon in the bottom right corner and it will open it in that app
Another great explore again Tom. I was convinced Shrewsbury was a city in Shropshire but nope. Anyway this yam yam say keep adventuring :)
The chap in the bar top bloke
At 45:37 that is a mayfly indeed. An Ephemera Danica to be exact. Known as Green Drake in many countries.
Pat where are you
I'm going to be disappointed if you're not being pursued by the Nazgul!
YESSSSSSS - as a Salopian, I've been dreaming of this. I cannot wait to recognise literally everything. Also, Shropshire is England's largest landlocked county!
Would be cool to search for the most overgrown/lost public path and making it walkable again!
Ever thought of doing a Watership Down Journey? This idea reminded me of that trip the Hazel and Fiver took.
That's my neck of the words, North Hampshire. The furthest extent of their travels is only 10 miles or so end to end.
Portuguese here, I was rooting for England to take it home!! Thank Tom, following the content for years. Recently became a Patreon and devoured all the content already. Cheers for the countless laughs you've already provided me!!
Thank god man, I've been starving
This is the healing we need after last night, and I think you knew that! 👏🏻
I just checked this page earlier today for any new videos, this is immaculate timing, thanks for another great one tom!
Thanks tom
Shropshire is an incredibly underrated county