A few miles from the ancient village of Clun is one of the best preserved parts of Offa’s Dyke. Built by Offa, King of Mercia, over 1,200 years ago, the dyke follows roughly the entire length of the border between England and Wales. This section of the dyke enjoys stunning views of the sparsely inhabited countryside to the west of Wales and to the east of the Shropshire hills.
However, despite being a famous long-distance walk, in some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK, you can walk along it on a beautiful August day and not see another soul, if you don’t count the strange sheep. , of course.
This beauty and isolation is, to me, what makes Shropshire so special. Here are 10 reasons why I think it’s the ideal vacation destination.
one. Field – The Shropshire landscape changes with every mile you drive. From the dramatic hills of the Long Mynd, called ‘Little Switzerland’, to the ‘remembered blue hills’ and the verdant Clun Valley, immortalized in Housman’s famous poems. In spring the hedges are filled with blackthorns and in autumn the colors of the trees are spectacular.
2. market towns – Ludlow is seen as the unofficial capital of South Shropshire. Described by John Betjeman as “Britain’s loveliest town”, it has over 500 listed buildings. Ludlow Castle, one of the finest in the country, has origins dating back to the 11th century. But Ludlow isn’t all history: it’s also a bustling market town and was the first UK town to receive Cittaslow (slow town) status. Your trip to Shropshire is not complete without exploring the other market towns of Clun, Church Stretton, Bishops Castle and Much Wenlock. All steeped in history and beautiful in their own way.
3. History – South Shropshire is an ideal destination for anyone with an interest in history. From Bronze Age population signs – burial mounds, pathways and stone circles – to the colorful history of the Mortimer family in the 13th-15th centuries and Henry VIII’s own connections to Ludlow. Travel a little further north to Ironbridge, considered the birthplace of British industry in the late 18th century. And, if you’re interested in recent history, Land of Lost Content at the Craven Arms is a fascinating look at 20th-century Britain.
Four. Restaurants and Pubs – Until recently, Ludlow had the most Michelin-starred restaurants of any city outside of London. While Mr. Underhills remains with his only star, the other chefs have moved on. However, there are still plenty of great quality restaurants and pubs, with a focus on well-cooked local food. There are also a host of local microbreweries, with Hobsons winning Beer of the Year in 2007 with her Mild.
5. Festivals and Fairs – South Shropshire has a wide variety of fairs and festivals throughout the year. The Clun Green Man festival, in May, is a traditional festival celebrating the arrival of summer. In ludlow, the Ludlow Festival is a fortnight of drama and music, the main event of which is a Shakespeare play performed in the castle grounds. In September, the famous ludlow festival presents the best of local food and in November, prepare for Christmas with the medieval fayre.
6. Walking and biking – There are numerous walking and cycling routes in South Shropshire with plenty of guides and maps to help you. For the serious walker there is Offa’s Dyke, Mortimer’s Way. The Shropshire Way and the Wild Edric Way. There are also plenty of 2-3 hour loop walks, quite a few with a tea room or pub along the way. Hopton Wood has a popular mountain bike trail with stunning views and trails suitable for the whole family.
7. Award-Winning Accommodation – South Shropshire has a huge range of different accommodation to choose from. From country house guest houses to award winning luxury B&Bs, independent cottages and restaurants with rooms. One thing you can expect is a warm welcome and well cooked locally produced food.
8.Wildlife – in this very rural county you have to stop and listen and look quietly for a few moments to discover its wildlife. Vultures are a common site that fly over the countryside and the city, often accompanied by ravens. The red kite is becoming more common – watch out for the red coloration and forked tail. Nightjars, woodcocks and goshawks live in the many forests in the area. Sit quietly by a river for a while and you might be lucky to see wild kings or a dipper. The roe deer is a common site in woods and fields along the roads. Keep an eye out at night for the beautiful barn owl sitting on the posts and keep an eye out for tawny owls as well as polecats, badgers and foxes.
9. Movie sets – Shropshire’s stunning countryside and historic towns provide a perfect backdrop for film and television productions. More recently, Stokesay Court, near Onibury, was the setting for part of the film Atonement. The classic movie “Gone to Earth” was filmed in and around Much Wenlock. Many television productions have been filmed in the area, including Moll Flanders and Blott on the Landscape. And right on the Shropshire/Herefordshire border, The Lion Hotel in Leintwardine is the pub featured in “The Green Green Grass.”
10. A warm welcome – The people of South Shropshire are some of the friendliest in the country. From B&B owners to landlords to shop keepers, you can expect a smile and conversation.