The valleys that dissect the Longmynd have quite a distinctive shape and character because they were all created at the same time by the same process. 
During the last ice-age (25,000 years ago) the ice stretched down the Stretton Valley between the Longmynd and Caradoc. This eroded the valley a lot lower (50 metres) than previously which forced the small tributaries to deepen.  They are continuing to readjust to the new level of the main valley.  Each valley has a waterfall which is an indication of the extent to which they have cut down into the hillside.

Diagramatic view of a typical  Longmynd valley.

Expalation of numbers on the diagram. 1. Springs break from base of head below the summit and down valley sides. 2. Undulating Summit plateau above 450 metres. 3. Open valley with moderate gradient. 4. 'Nick point': steep gradient and waterfalls mark upper limit of post-glacial down-cutting of lower valley. 5. Narrow gorge deepend by post-glacial down-cutting. 6. Lower valley with gentle gradient and meandering stream. 7. Small terraces and disused channels created as the stream cuts down through the level, stone filled, valley floor.

Here are two of the waterfalls found at the 'nick point' described above.

The ice age is responsible for the thick stony soil that covers the whole of the top of the Longmynd and obscures the underlying rock except where it has been re-exposed by the creation of the batches and hollows.
This uniform layer has resulted in the moorland vegetation that we see today and appears as the reddy colour in the photo of the north end of the Longmynd above.
	The ice-age has left a few other clues that it affected this part of the county including this erraticat Womerton (again on the north end of the hill.