WALKING WITH WORDS
Eaton Manor’s New Poetry Trail.
To celebrate World Poetry Day on 21 March 2026, we are delighted to introduce a new way for guests to enjoy our peaceful slice of Shropshire countryside – a Poetry Walking Trail that weaves together nature, reflection, and the county’s rich literary heritage.
This circular route features 20 poems, each placed in a spot chosen to enhance its meaning and the landscape around it. It offers a unique ‘outdoor reset’ experience, giving the chance to take pause and reflect on the beauty of words, whilst enjoying Eaton Manor’s estate in a fresh and mindful way.
How the idea began
Nichola Cariss & Anna Waddington-Feather
The trail was inspired by Shropshire (Poet’s England), a poetry anthology compiled in 1994 by Neil Griffiths and Rev. John Waddington‑Feather.
When Nichola (Eaton Manor’s owner) revisited the collection – which includes her late mother’s favourite poem, A. E. Housman’s A Shropshire Lad (Wenlock Edge) – a new idea began to take shape.
Nichola and her long‑time friend Anna, Rev. Waddington‑Feather’s daughter, were keen to find a way to share these poems with guests.
Their shared love of walking and literature soon became the foundation for the Eaton Manor Poetry Trail.
A walk to restore & inspire
Along the route, guests can follow the brook while reading The Kingfisher by W. H. Davies, pause to admire sweeping views with Housman’s words, wander into the woods accompanied by Kipling’s The Way Through the Woods, and discover John Waddington‑Feather’s Kristiani at Viroconium outside historic St Edith’s Church.
As Anna explains, “Walking lifts the mood and reduces stress, while poetry encourages reflection. We hope this trail enriches both the senses and the soul.”
The walk is suitable for most guests seeking a peaceful rural walk with something a little different. Whilst mostly flat, the trail does follow mown paths around field edges and is therefore uneven in places. There are a couple of inclines, with one incline being reasonably steep.
Who can enjoy the Poetry Trail?
The Poetry Trail is open to guests staying at Eaton Manor.
A trail map will be provided in our holiday cottages, allowing guests to explore the walk whenever they wish.
The trail will be available to the public on Sunday, 10th May 2026,
as part of the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust Open Gardens scheme.
We invite you to explore, reflect, and enjoy walking with words.
Poem inspired by the Poetry Trail
Our Poetry Trail is already proving to be a big hit with guests, with one visitor even inspired to write her own poem about the experience.
She and her husband are regular guests (their latest stay in April 2026 was their 20th visit!), and described the trail as “a brilliant initiative and extremely well presented.”
They especially loved that it can be enjoyed in sections – either around the grounds or extending into the adjoining fields.
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