Coalbrookdale waterfall and Ironbridge Rotunda

This walk starts at the Coalbrookdale Water Course and then up alongside the Lyde Brook and looking down into Loamhole Dingle to explore the waterfall marked on the OS map. We continue the walk through the forest to then traverse grassy fields with sheep. The old unpaved Buildwas Lane takes us down to the River Seven where we use the river walk into the western end of Ironbridge stopping at Water Rat Inn for refreshments. Continuing, we enter Dale End Park walking besides the river and leave via the car park where there are public toilets, and a Co-Op should you need to replenish vitals. 

To return we climb the 230-ish steps up to the late Georgian Rotunda and admire the views, then through woods alongside Dale Coppice before descending back to the carpark, there’s a free second hand book exchange in a cabinet on the wall. This is not a walk for inexperienced walkers, the last 10m or so to the waterfall is slippery and involves climbing over fallen trees, although you don’t have to do it, you can still experience the magic of the sound of the water, the birds and the rustling of the trees. The waterfall is hit and miss as to its strength, but a charming secretive place. The long Buildwas Lane descent is on loose surfaces.  The steps up to the Rotunda are hard but fine if you are fit and I will take at least 4 stops to get our breath back; it won't be a race and well worth the effort.