The best road cycling routes around Cop Mere

In the search for a worthy patron saint for this church, the Archangel Michael was initially chosen, whose name (derived from Hebrew) means "Who is like God?". However, it was then apparently decided that it wouldn't hurt to significantly increase the number of intercessors before God's throne for this church and its parishioners. Thus, the idea arose not to choose just a single patron saint, but to extend the patronage to the entire heavenly host (i.e., "All Angels").

Great ride up to the Hall, a bit of a climb (but the only climb on this route considered worth rating by Garmin!). Turn left just at the hall, and a great lane again, but mind the speed humps which are quite sharp.

Excellent stop-off in Newport, good coffee, great cake.

The present Church of St Nicholas is of Norman origin but was lengthened in the 14th century. The Perpendicular style tower was added around 1460 by the Earl of Warwick but he didn't get round to finish the job and top it off with a spire. Being an Earl must be a tad busy I guess!

The church of St Swithun in Cheswardine. First built in the 13th centaury with the tower added in the late 15th centaury and then several modifications since. It's now a grade 2 listed building. As a different rider said the deep porch is useful to escape the rain.

The parish church, dedicated to St Swithun, overlooks Cheswardine from the hill at the top of the village. This is at least the third church on this site, and was rebuilt in 1887 - 1889 under the direction of the esteemed architect John Loughborough Pearson, who died before the work was completed. The work was completed with the assistance of funding by the then squire of the Cheswardine Estate, Charles Donaldson-Hudson, who evidently provided half of the estimated cost of £8,500.

There has been a Church in Norbury for well over 1000 years. North Burie (Norbury) was a Saxon Settlement and St. Chad, the first Bishop of Mercia, may have come from Lichfield to found a church here. The current building was completed in the 14th Century, circa 1340, probably by Ralph de Botiller (d 1342), Lord of the Manor, whose tomb is in the chancel. Close by the tomb is the oldest Staffordshire brass memorial plate. The lady depicted is the wife of Ralph de Botiller (d 1359). The home in the 14th Century of the Bottilers and subsequent Lords of the Manor was on a moated site which the remains can still be seen close to Norbury Manor Farm (a short walk from Norbury Junction). The church was constructed in the 'Decorated' Style, indicated by the design of the medieval windows, and other architectural features including the Sedilia- stone niches for seats for the clergy. The Church consists of a wide nave and a long chancel, constructed from local red sandstone. The high pitched, lofty timber framed nave roof is thought to be the original, although the chancel roof, is probably late 15th or 16th Century. The medieval church had a west tower, which was replaced in brick in 1759, possibly by William Baker (1705-71), architect of Audlem, although the new tower is said to have been built around older stonework at the base (and has 17th Century bells). Restoration in 1826-29 (recorded on tablet on north vestry) included addition of north vestry and a west gallery, at a cost of £700. The gallery was later taken down and the present pews were installed later in the 19th Century. The east window was installed in 1873 to the design of Miss C.S. Burne.

Lambarts Bridge No 41 is a minor waterways place on the Shropshire Union Canal (Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal - Main Line) between Norbury Junction (Junction with former Newport Branch) (1 mile and 7¼ furlongs to the southeast) and Knighton Wharf (This was the wharf for the Cadbury factory.) (2 miles and 3¾ furlongs to the west). It is at one end of Grub Street Cutting. https://canalplan.uk/place/cn7b