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Things to See and Do

 

 

View from the Long Mynd, Church Stretton

What's On in the Area?

 

• Made in Shropshire Fair (Shrewsbury Market Square): 11 February
• Snowdrop Walks (Dudmaston Hall): 11/12 & 18/19 February
• Nordic Walking [bring your own jumper] (Cardingmill Valley): 12 February
• Millichope: snowdrop trail: 12 and 19 February
• Half-Term Family Fun (Stokesay Castle): 15 - 19 February
• Stars in your Eyes - Geology Walk (Cardingmill Valley): 18 February
• Gardens at Preen Manor open: 9 April (see www.ngs.org.uk)
• Gardens at Radnor Cottage, Clun, open: 10 April
• Wenlock Poetry Festival: 13 - 15 April
• Ludlow Spring Food Fair: 12 - 13 May
• Gardens at Bridgwalton House, Morville, open: 13 May (see www.ngs.org.uk)
• Gardens at stanley Hall, Bridgnorth, open: 13 May
• Shropshire Agricultural Show: 25 May
• (The Queen's Diamond Jubilee: 2 - 5 June)
• Shropshire: Beacons to celebrate the Jubilee will be lit on Whitcliffe, Hanway Common and Claverley: June 4
• Gardens at Morville Hall open: 10 June (see www.ngs.org.uk)
• Bishop's Castle Walking Festival: 12 - 14 June
• The 2012 Ludlow Festival: 23 June - 8 July
• Wenlock Olympic Games: 8 - 15 July (see www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk)
• Wenlock Festival at the Edge: 20 - 22 July
• The Church Stretton Arts Festival: 22 July - 4 August
• (The London Olympic Games: 27 July - 12 August)
• The Burwarton Show: 2 August
• Bridgnorth Music and Arts Festival: 24 August - 2 September
• Much Wenlock Walking Weekend: 7 - 10 September
• Ludlow Food Festival: 7 - 9 September
• Farmers' Markets:  Bishop's Castle - 3rd Saturday of the month; Craven Arms - 1st Saturday;
  Ludlow - 2nd and 4th Thursday; Much Wenlock - 1st & 3rd Friday; Bridgnorth - Saturdays
  
  
• For a full calendar of events in Shropshire go to:
  www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/shropshire-events
• For a full list of gardens open under the national scheme go to:
  www.ngs.org.uk
  
  

Itineraries and Ideas for Your Stay in South Shropshire: www.shropshiregold.co.uk/itineraries

Here you will find Apps to download of suggestions for visits: eg Discovering Castles; Iron Age Shropshire; Garden Lovers; Creative Design.  Further ideas are being added.

Click here for example itineraries:

Tudor Corvedale and the Reformation  

Enjoy the Views in the Shropshire Hills

Railway History

• If you would like us to make suggestions of things to see and do during your stay, just ask: mike@brogden.info

 

Walking

What sort of walker are you? 

For amblers, there are walks on neighbouring paths, including the Shropshire Way which passes nearby. There are several short and long walks that can be undertaken from Ferndale without taking the car, for example, a circular walk of about an hour which takes you via woodland to Wilderhope Manor (a Tudor house owned by the National Trust and used as a youth hostel). Go a bit further and you reach Wenlock Edge.

For ramblers, In the opposite direction, a walk along the Shropshire Way takes you to Holdgate (Norman castle, interesting church, deserted village), and beyond. There are many more walks after a short car journey or cycle ride, for example along Wenlock Edge or up the Brown Clee Hill.

For scramblers, further afield, there's Offa's Dyke, Caer Caradoc. and the Wrekin.  A walk of 11 miles in the Corvedale takes in three castles. There's a lot of choice with 1275 km of public footpaths; you could do a different walk everyday. 

For more information, visit:

www.churchstrettonwalkingfestival.co.uk

www.shropshire.ramblers.org.uk (you could join one of their rambles)

www.shropshirewalking.co.uk  (detailed walking routes can be downloaded)

www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/things-to-do/walking/  (6 local walks, each of 5 or 6 miles, can be downloaded)

www.shropshirebirds.com

www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

www.shropshiregeology.org.uk

• For a map of the Shropshire Way long-distance path as it passes the Ferndale Flat, click here
  
  Our own grounds offer several acres of developing woodland (about 15 years old but now quite woody) and views towards Wenlock Edge and Wilderhope Manor from the viewpoint at the top of the path.
  
  

Cycling

    You are welcome to bring your own bikes or you could hire them locally.  We have under-cover storage.

For information about cycle hire and electric bike hire: www.plushhillcycles.co  (shop in Church Stretton)

See: www.shropshirecycling.co.uk for suggestions about routes

Local Places of Interest

Shipton Hall (about 1.5 miles away) is a privately owned Tudor house, open to the public on Thursdays and Sundays from Easter to the end of September. Shipton Church is next door.  Look out for a poem etched into a window by a love-lorn daughter of the household.

Wilderhope Manor (about 2 miles away: walk there on the Shropshire Way from the Flat) is owned by the National Trust and used as a Youth Hostel. This Tudor house is open to visitors on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons when the cafe is open.   Captain Smallman escaped from the Roundheads during the Civil War by climbing down a privvy shute and leaping on his horse from Wenlock Edge.  He survived.  The horse didn't.

 

Shipton Parish Church (St James) is open at all times and is famous for its snowdrops in February and its association with the three More children who were transported to America on the Mayflower. Service details are available at the Flat or in the church porch.

 

 

Shipton Hall

Shipton Church

 

Millichope Manor (about 2 miles) has large, landscaped grounds that are open in the National Gardens Scheme when the snowdrops, bluebells and wild flower meadow are in season and at other times too. Details about this and others in the Gardens Scheme are available in the Flat.

Acton Scott working farm (about 6 miles) has Tamworth pigs, shire horses, chickens in the farm-yard, horse-drawn ploughing and harvesting, rural crafts, milk maids, waggoners, butter making - all depicting farming life at the turn of the 20th century. Made famous by the recent BBC TV series, Victorian Farm. (Open from Easter to October: discount vouchers for entry available at the Flat.)

 

The grounds of Morville House (about 7 miles) are sometimes open under the National Gardens Scheme.

Preen Manor (about 5 miles) also has interesting gardens to visit under the Gardens Scheme. The local church has what is said to be the oldest yew tree in England.

Over 30 Shropshire gardens participate in the Gardens Scheme. Details in the Flat.

 

Ludlow

There's a Norman castle (1085) in a very prominent position, town walls and the Broad Gate; a mediaeval street pattern; mediaeval timber-framed (eg the Feathers Hotel) and Georgian brick houses, especially in Broad Street (one of the most memorable streets in England according to Pevsner); the Butter Cross; St Lawrence's Church (the largest Shropshire parish church with superb views from its very tall tower); river walk; interesting shops and galleries; award-winning restaurants; traditional bakers', fishmonger's, greengrocers' and butchers' shops; two independent book shops; frequent markets (food, antiques, crafts); food fairs; annual festival with Shakespeare in the castle grounds; films and other performances in the Assembly Rooms; information centre; library and museum; supermarkets; organic shop and deli; leisure centre; golf course; horse racing. Use the Park and Ride during busy festivals or catch the train from Craven Arms where car parking is free.

Visit www.ludlow.org.uk

Ludlow Castle

 

Much Wenlock

A priory (founded in about AD 680) and grounds (English Heritage); Guildhall, market hall and several other interesting buildings; small shops (including award-winning book shop, art gallery, gifts, a butcher famous for pies, small supermarket); cafes and public houses. There is an information centre and a museum. Much Wenlock is where the modern Olympic Games began.  Wenlock Edge, beginning on the edge of the town, is an escarpment stretching to Church Stretton with a good pathway and specatular views, especially from Ippikin's Rock.  Ippikin was a robber knight with magical powers so you need to chant, "Ippikin, Ippikin, keep away with your long chin" to avoid any trouble.

Much Wenlock

Visit:

www.muchwenlockguide

www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk

www.english-heritage.org.uk

www.carfreewalks.org/walks/315/wenlock_edge

 

 

 

Church Stretton

Small town with a range of shops, including books, gourmet deli, organic produce, Co-op supermarket, antique warehouse plus several cafes and restaurants. Close by are the Shropshire Hills (National Tust) - follow the signs to the Burway for a steep walk or drive to the top where the views are spectacular and popular with hang gliders. Or visit the Cardingmill Valley for more gentle walks. There's a National Trust shop and cafe. This area is ideal both for serious walkers and less energetic travellers. An arts festival is held in July/August. There is a golf course on the Long Mynd. Electric bikes may be hired in Church Stretton to get you up the Burway.

Visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Views from the Long Mynd, Church Stretton

See also: www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/about-the-aonb/map/

For information about the Shropshire Hills Shuttle Bus that runs from the Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, on weekends and Bank Holiday Monday, please see: www.shropshireshuttles.co.uk

Stokesay Castle

A couple of miles south of Craven Arms on the A49 - this is one of the earliest fortified manors (the hall dates from 1270 - 1280) with great hall, solar, tower and Elizabethan timber-framed gatehouse, all restored by English Heritage. There's a shop and small cafe and a programme of historical re-enactments.
Visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Stokesay Castle

The Secret Hills Discovery Centre

In Craven Arms - a visitor centre with information about the Shropshire Hills, displays, events, shop and cafe. Also in Craven Arms is the Museum of Lost Content with an interesting nostalgic collection.
Visit: www.secrethills.com

For information about the Shropshire Hills Shuttle Bus that runs from the Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, on weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays to several places in the Shropshire Hills from which you can walk, please see: www.shropshireshuttles.co.uk

Wroxeter Roman Town

 

In its prime, this was the fourth largest Roman town in England. There are foundations of walls and baths to see, plus sizeable chunks of wall. The Visitor Centre explains all. Under the care of English Heritage. Occasional events when Roman legions may be seen gathering. A recent TV series was filmed here.
Visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Bridgnorth

Another castle, much damaged by Cromwell. The tower now leans more sharply than the Tower of Pisa. Busy Upper Town of shops and markets with steep cliff railway down to Lower Town by the river. Severn Valley Railway for steam buffs. Annual Haydn festival in May.
Visit: www.bridgnorthshropshire.com

 

 

 

Bridgnorth Cliff Railway

The Ironbridge Gorge Museums

Several museums celebrating the birthplace of the industrial revolution. The main site has a reconstructed street and shops; other sites focus on pottery, tile making, iron, clay pipes, transport on canal and river, inventions etc. The famous Iron Bridge (1778 - the first iron bridge in the world) spans the River Severn. You can pay on entry to each museum or buy a ticket for the whole collection and visit each site as you have time; it lasts for a year and permits free return visits. A recent TV series was based on the Victorian town.
Visit: www.ironbridge.info

The Iron Bridge

Shrewsbury

The town stands in a bend in the river and has fine buildings representing several eras and many interesting passageways to explore. The Abbey (begun in 1080), the Castle, the Old Market House, the Music Hall, the Library and Museum (once the old Shrewsbury School), the Quarry (famously turned into gardens by Percy Thrower and now the site for the annual flower festival), intruiging street names (Grope Lane [don't ask], Dogpole, Mardol, Wyle Cop), museums, shops and cafes - an "exceedingly fine town" said Pevsner. The annual West Midlands Show (in May) is a feast for those who like agricultural and rural things.

Visit:
www.shrewsburytourism.co.uk

www.madeinshropshire.co

Market Square, Shrewsbury

 

Bishop's Castle

The church has an unusual one-handed clock and the town is on a steep slope. There are new and second-hand books and CD shops, a chairmaker, a clock mender, antiques, two museums, a House on Crutches, knitwear, batik, a brewery, flea markets on the first Saturday of the month and cafes.

 

Clun

Described in Housman's poem, "The Shropshire Lad," as "one of the quietest places under the sun" (not just to rhyme sun with Clun; it's true), this is a deeply rural, small settlement with its castle (and a fine tower), church, river walks, almshouses, a few shops and pubs and a cafe serving good cakes.

Cleobury Mortimer

John Betjeman said the High Street is "A long airy curving street of brick Georgian houses and shops." There's a church with a crooked steeple, Hobson's Brewery and famous pork pies. And a golf course.

Clun Bridge

 

 

Others:

There are many places of interest, houses, walks, long distance paths, events and views in the area. Visit: www.southshropshire.org.uk and, for many photographs of Shropshire places: www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk

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Further afield:

 

Birmingham

Best to go by train from Telford. Shops, galleries and museums (including the superb Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery), historic places (eg the Jewellery Quarter), botanic gardens, open-air events, concerts in Symphony Hall, plays in several theatres, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, refurbished canal-side with many cafes, shops and clubs - a very lively, busy and interesting city.
Visit: www.birmingham.org.uk

Hereford

Go by train from Craven Arms or Ludlow. The county town of Herefordshire with a fine cathedral which houses a chained library and the Mappa Mundi (very early world map).
Visit: www.thisisherefordshire.co.uk and www.visitherefordshire.co.uk

Hay-on-Wye

Famous for second-hand bookshops; too many to visit in one day. Plus galleries, cafes and the annual literary festival in May.
Visit: www.hay-on-wye.co.uk

Wales

Visit castles, Snowdon, the coast, interesting towns, the Alternative Technology Centre, Offa's Dyke. Too much to see and do to list here.
Visit: www.visitwales.com and www.visitmidwales.co.uk