The best way to see the Shropshire Hills is by bike! Cycle from the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms and in five minutes you are in the heart of the Shropshire Countryside. Discover for yourself superb views, hidden valleys, ancient castles, quiet woods and sleepy villages.
Starting from the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre to Church Stretton via Acton Scott. Then on to Little Stretton and the southern tip on the Long Mynd.
Probably built by Benjamin Flounders, a local ship & landowner, in 1838.
A wooded, limestone escarpment that runs unbroken for 14 miles between here and the Severn Gorge. The Edge is rich in flora and fauna.
Traditional Victorian gardens now run under organic principles. Open mid-April to mid-September, Mon to Wed 9am to 4.30pm.
A spectacular Iron Age hill fort dominating Ape Dale & Church Stretton. Reputedly the site of Caractacus’ last stand against the Romans.
A farm run as a living museum of agricultural life at the turn of the century. Open Easter to October. Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
Known as ‘Little Switzerland’ this spa town was a popular Victorian holiday resort. Now equally popular with walkers as it provides easy access to the Long Mynd and Stretton Hills. Cardingmill Valley (at the base of the Long Mynd) is a famous beauty spot with car park and National Trust tea room.
England’s most southerly grouse moor now managed by the National Trust. Dramatic views across the Shropshire Plain to the north and Wales to the west.
A quiet village with lots of historic buildings. The church is not only half timbered… but also has a thatched roof.
A lovely hill top village. Pottery in the Old Schoolhouse (next to the church), open daily 10am to 5pm. The village well (‘Stock Well’) is decorated with a willow arch and ‘dressed’ every year. On the edge of the village is an old milestone, left over from the days when this narrow road would have been an important link between Bishop’s Castle and Craven Arms.
A site of an Iron Age Hillfort. At 324m the fort has excellent views of the surrounding hills and is the focal point of ‘The Wart Hill Wander’, a Secret Hills Walk.
Church Stretton and Craven Arms have plenty of facilities for refreshments and the National Trust’s Pavilion Tearooms in Carding Mill Valley serve afternoon teas and light lunches.
Start at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. A car could be left here, but take note of what time the car park closes. Turn right out of the car park, follow road round to the right, then left where it becomes Newton Street. Follow to T-junction at the end where it meets the Corvedale Road, B4368.
Turn right onto B4368, follow out of Craven Arms. Cross the River Onny and take the first left to the village of Halford.
After 300m take the first right signposted for Lower Dinchope and Westhope (next to Halford Farm).
This narrow lane takes you uphill to a viewpoint over the Onny Valley. Go downhill and then up a short steep hill to Lower Dinchope. note the memorial by the wall of the long low house. Turn left, signposted to Westhope. The hill on your right is Callow Hill. Look for the tower known as Flounders Folly on the crest.
Follow the road as it bends left and right. fairly level cycling. Stop here and admire the view of Wenlock Edge on your left.
Carry straight on with a gentle downhill roll into Hope Dale. At Westhope (next to the college), turn left, signposted for Middlehope and Ticklerton.
Cycle past Middle Westhope Farm and keep left at the next junction signposted for Burwood. Up a short steep hill to wolverton Wood. down a steep hill through the woods and straight on into Ape Dale towards Ticklerton.
At Ticklerton, keep left signposted for Acton Scott (Farm Museum). Follow the road round to the left. Cycle through the hamlet of Hatton. Level cycling with wonderful views of the hills around Church Stretton (Ragleth and Caer Caradoc).
Cycle on past the hamlets of Birtley and Hatton until you arrive at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm entrance.
At the crossroads at Acton Scott, turn right signposted for Ragdon, easy uphill cycling to the foot of Ragleth Hill.
Carry on past Ragdon to Hazler and cycle down a short steep hill to the main road (B4371). Immediately turn left along Hazler road (residentail road on the outskirts of Church Stretton).
Follow a lovely long whizz downhill to rejoin the main road at the valley bottom. turn left at the main road and straight on at the traffic lights for Church Stretton town centre.
Turn left at the crossroads in Church Stretton town centre to follow the B4370 to Little Stretton.
At Little Stretton cycle past the Ragleth Arms and turn right just before the Green Dragon Pub. This tiny lane follows a small stream through the back of the village, turn first left towards Minton (not signed).
Go up a short but very steep hill to the hamlet of Minton (a small cluster of houses grouped around a village green ; a rare example of a Saxon village layout). Go straight on signposted to Hamperley, and then turn right at the T junction (next to Minton Long Barn).
At Hamperley (Hamperley Farm and campsite), turn left signposted Horderley. After hal a mile turn right at the T junction with the main road (B4370) towards Horderley (not signed).
Follow downhill to the River Onny and the junction with the A489. turn left on the main road signposted for Craven Arms.
Turn right over the River Onny signposted for Edgton. Just next to the bridge is the old railway station for a line that used to lead to Bishop's Cast and operated from 1865 to 1935.
Up a long hill out of the Onny valley and down a short way to Edgton. (Do detour to visit the lovely old church on a curved village street.) Go straight on through the village and fork left at the Manor House. Continue past the 'Stock Well' (decorated will willow) and turn left at the crossroads signposted for Craven Arms.
Follow signs for NCR44 / Craven Arms downhill. cycle past Edgton Village Hall and milestone and down to Basford. Up a very steep hill. At the summit (approx 300m) you can virtually see your complete cycle route.
Downhill to Round Oak and straight on signposted to Craven Arms. One last climb to Wart Hill and then downhill all the way to Craven Arms.
Go over the level crossing to the T junction with the A49 (take care). Go straight across down a small track (next to stone water trough) leading to a footbridge across the River Onny.
Cross the footbridge and go through the 'kissing ate'. Follow the path through the field to another 'kissing gate'.
Turn right on the stone track to Halford. Cycle past the church and up to the T junction with the main road (B4368). Turn right and then left to retrace Newton road back to Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre.
