The Long Mynd, Church Stretton

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Things to See and Do

For a calendar of events in Shropshire go to:
www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/shropshire-events

Walking

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. 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. Or, further afield, Offa's Dyke. A walk of 11 miles in the Corvedale takes in three castles.

For more information, visit:
www.shropshire.ramblers.org.uk
www.shropshirewalking.co.uk
www.shropshirebirds.com
www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
www.shropshiregeology.org.uk

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.

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.

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.

 

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 sent to America on the Mayflower. Service details are available at the Flat or in the church porch.

 

 

 

Shipton Hall

 

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. (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

Norman castle (1085) in a very prominent position and walls and the Broad Gate; 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' greengrocers' and butchers' shops; independent book shops; frequent markets (food, antiques, crafts); annual food fair; annual festival with Shakespeare in the castle grounds; films and other performances in the Assemby Rooms; information centre; library and museum; supermarkets; organic shop and deli; leisure centre; golf course; horse racing.
Visit www.ludlow.org.uk

Ludlow Castle

 

Much Wenlock

Priory (founded 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, flowers, supermarket, newspapers); cafes and public houses. There is an information centre and a museum.
Visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk

 

Much Wenlock

 

 

 

Church Stretton

Small town with a range of shops, including books, gourmet food, 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 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

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

 

The Long Mynd, Church Stretton

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

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 Monday to several places from which you can walk, please see: www.shropshireshuttles.co.uk

Wroxeter Roman Town

Stokesay Castle

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.
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.
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

 

 

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.

Market Square, Shrewsbury

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.

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.

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

Clun Bridge

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Dates to Note:

25 July - 7 Aug: Church Stretton Arts Festival

10 - 12 Sept: Ludlow Food Festival

5 August: Burwarton Agricultural Show

13 - 14 Aug: Shrewsbury Flower Show

For a calendar of events in Shropshire go to:
www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/shropshire-events

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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