a singularly uninteresting looking town, whose staple manufacture is felt hats, has a long, straggling street, a portion of the Watling Street, and during sewage operations about fifty years ago the remains of the original Roman road came to light, at some depth below the present surface; some of the paving-stones, grooved by chariot wheels, were in places cemented together. Henry of Richmond slept at the Three Tuns Inn, now demolished, the night before Bosworth Battle, and heard Mass in the church, which is not of great archæological interest.
SECTION III
(TRUNK ROUTE)
ATHERSTONE TO SHREWSBURY, 59 MILES
DISTANCES ALONG THE ROUTE
| Miles. | ||
| Atherstone to Fazeley | 7 | |
| Fazeley to Tamworth | 1 | ½ |
| Tamworth to Lichfield | 7 | |
| Lichfield to Muckley Corner | 2 | ¾ |
| Muckley Corner to Four Crosses Inn | 8 | ¾ |
| Four Crosses Inn to Gailey Station | 2 | ¾ |
| Gailey Station to Shifnal | 11 | ¾ |
| Shifnal to Oakengates | 4 | ¾ |
| Oakengates to Shrewsbury | 12 | ¾ |
NOTES FOR DRIVERS
Atherstone to Lichfield.—Undulating road with fine surface.
Lichfield to Shifnal.—Almost level; surface fairly good, but the direct road (Watling Street) is rough and has some steep hills near Oakengates. The Shifnal Loop is, therefore, recommended. (See [Route Map 3].)
PLACES OF INTEREST ON THE ROUTE
Tamworth.—An ancient town; historic castle; Perpendicular church.
Lichfield.—Cathedral; statue of, and associations with, Samuel Johnson.