Clee Hills facts for kids

The Clee Hills are two famous hills in Shropshire, England. They are near the town of Ludlow. The two main hills are called Brown Clee Hill and Titterstone Clee Hill. Brown Clee Hill is the tallest point in Shropshire, standing at about 540 meters (1,772 feet) high. Titterstone Clee Hill is a bit shorter, at around 533 meters (1,749 feet). Both hills are part of the beautiful Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Exploring the Clee Hills

These hills stretch for over 24 kilometers (15 miles) from north to south. The lowest point between them is about 300 meters (984 feet) high. Titterstone Clee Hill is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of Brown Clee Hill.

The B4364 road, which goes from Ludlow to Bridgnorth, runs right between the two hills. This road offers amazing views of both. The Clee Hills are like a "gateway" from the busy West Midlands area to the quiet, natural landscapes of Wales. They are right in the middle of the Welsh Marches, which is the border area between England and Wales.

What You Can See

From the top of the Clee Hills, you can see really far! To the west, you might spot mountains like Snowdonia and Cadair Idris in Wales. You can also see the Brecon Beacons, the Black Mountains, and other Shropshire hills like The Long Mynd and Stiperstones.

Looking south, you can see the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds. To the east, you might see the Clent Hills and even the big cities of the West Midlands, like Dudley and Wolverhampton. On a very clear day, you can even see parts of the Peak District to the north.

The Clee Hills stand out clearly from the land around them. You can often see them from far away in places like Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and the Black Country.

Life on the Hills

In summer, the hills are green and great for walking. Many people visit from the Black Country and other parts of the West Midlands. But be careful in winter! While there's often no snow, it can arrive suddenly and be very severe. Strong winds and blizzards can sometimes close roads on the hills.

The small village of Cleehill is located on the side of Titterstone Clee Hill. It's about halfway between Ludlow and Cleobury Mortimer.

The Clee Hills are also important for wildlife. You might see amazing birds like peregrine falcons, kestrels, Northern wheatears, European stonechats, skylarks, and Eurasian curlews. Barn owls and ravens also live here. You might even spot adders (a type of snake) and rabbits. In 2007, a very rare woodchat shrike bird was seen near Titterstone Clee!

Human Activity

Over the years, a lot of quarrying (digging for stone) has happened on the hills. This has changed their look in some places. You will also see large air traffic control domes and radar towers on the very tops of both hills. These towers can be seen from many miles away!

Understanding the Names

The names connected to the Clee Hills can sometimes be a bit confusing. Here's a simple way to understand them:

• The Clee Hills are the whole group of hills in southern Shropshire. This group includes both Brown Clee Hill and Titterstone Clee Hill.
• Cleehill is a small village. It sits on the southern slopes of Titterstone Clee Hill.
• Titterstone Clee Hill is the hill to the south. It's the one that has been heavily quarried.
• Brown Clee Hill is the hill to the north. It is the taller of the two main hills.
• Clee Hill - This name can be confusing because there isn't actually a single hill called "Clee Hill." People sometimes use it to mean:
  • The village of Cleehill.
  • The hill Titterstone Clee Hill.
  • The areas where quarrying happens on Titterstone Clee Hill.
  • The general area around the hills.

Images for kids

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  Abdon Burf, the summit of the Brown Clee in freezing conditions. The radar masts are clearly visible.