The Simon Evans Way

Following in the footsteps of the famous postman-writer from Cleobury Mortimer, this long distance circular route (18 miles/26 kms) was established by the Cleobury Mortimer Footpaths Association in 2000. The Simon Evans Way takes you through some lesser known parts of Shropshire, following the Rea Valley from Cleobury Mortimer as far as Stottesdon and back.

Simon Evans was born in 1895 at Tynyfedu, Wales and came to Cleobury Mortimer to relieve respiratory injuries sustained when gassed during the First World War. After 1918 he joined the post office on Merseyside, where he had settled before the war. In 1926, desperately seeking the country air as a means to repair his severely damaged lungs, he managed to arrange an exchange of postal jobs with a local Cleobury Mortimer lad who fancied the attraction of the 'big city'.

Shortly after coming to Cleobury he settled into a rural postal route which he was to occupy for more than ten years. The 18 mile walk followed the Rea Valley to Stottesden where he had a postal 'hut' in which he rested before his return journey. Although the Simon Evan Way Walk does not attempt to accurately follow the postal route, it does however capture the full beauty of this part of South Shropshire which no doubt inspired some of Simon's writing.

Further information about the route and the life of Simon Evans is available from the Cleobury Mortimer Footpath Association's website which includes details of how to obtain a full colour booklet priced at £5.50. The line of the route can also be accessed via Shropshire County Councils interactive mapping 'Shropmap'. Follow the links to the right of this page.