Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills |
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The National Trust's Carding Mill Valley and the surrounding area of the Shropshire Hills is the ideal recreation area for those who enjoy long solitary walks, wildlife spotting, mountain biking or guided walks in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Covering 2,000 hectares (4942 acres) of heather-covered hills around the Church Stretton area of Shropshire, this extensive area has some of the best walks in the Marches. The Great Ridge, known as Long Mynd, runs like a backbone through these Shropshire Hills and provides panoramic views across Shropshire and the Cheshire Plain.
The Shropshire Hills have a long history with traces of habitation going back to the Bronze Age. This area was a major trading route, linking
This is an area of historic grazing and its main agricultural use today is sheep farming, following this long tradition. Bracken, prickly gorse and heather are the hardy shrubs which cover this upland heath moorland.
The area was known as "Little Switzerland" in Victorian times, when tourists flocked to Church Stretton and the Marches to enjoy the healthy air and spring waters.
The main car park is in the Carding Mill Valley and it has plenty of facilities such as toilets and information boards. This popular car park accommodates 23,000 cars each year, which bring in just some of the 250,000 visitors who enjoy this recreational space.
The Chalet Pavilion tea room is located on the main car park. It provides hot lunches, snacks and local food and sells maps and guides to this unspoilt area. It is the best place to pick up a hot or cold drink before setting off on
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Along with walkers and naturalists, the area caters to golfers, horse riders and even paragliders. For cyclists, this area has more than 10 miles of off-road tracks and bridleways. There are regular shuttle buses to take walkers up Long Mynd so that they can enjoy the pleasant downhill walk.
The superb walking on the 30 miles of maintained footpaths offers peaceful countryside, babbling brooks and miles of open moorland. The Long Mynd dominates the area with its steep narrow valleys, understatedly called "hollows". It covers 5 square miles and its high point, reached along the Carding Mill Valley Trail, is 517 metres (1595 feet) above sea level at Pole Bank. Other popular trails lead up Caer Caradoc.
The National Trust is charged with conserving and enhancing this area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, known as a Special Site of Scientific Interest due to its biological and geological assets. The wardens organize more than 50 guided walks and talks during the summer season to maximize everyone's pleasure.
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Opening Times
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(2011 times)
Countryside: Open all year: Daily. Tea-room and Shop: 1st - 3rd January: Monday, Saturday and Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm. 8th January - 13th February: Saturday and Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm. 19th February - 30th October: Daily 11.00am - 5.00pm. 31st October - 23rd December: Monday, Friday - Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm. 26th - 31st December: Monday - Saturday 11.00am - 4.00pm. WC and Information: Open 9.00am to 7.00pm summer; 9.00am to 4.15pm winter. Shop closed: Tuesday to Thursday 28th February to 31st March. Shop Opens: 12.00pm on weekdays, 20th March to 31st October. Closes 4.00pm until 19th March. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. |
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Admission Charges
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(2011 prices)
Free of Charge.
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Directions
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Bus Services: Minsterley Motors 435 Shrewsbury-Ludlow, alight Church Stretton, ½ miles. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty shuttle bus weekends and Bank Holidays (Easter-October) connects Carding Mill Valley with Church Stretton and other shuttles to Stiperstones, Discovery Centre and Bishop's Castle. Cycling: 10 miles plus of off-road tracks and bridleways View local cycle routes on the National Cycle Network website. By Road: 15 miles south of Shrewsbury, west of Church Stretton Valley and A49; approached from Church Stretton and, on west side, from Ratlinghope or Asterton. By Train: Church Stretton 1 mile. On Foot: Many long-distance routes, including Jack Mytton Way and Shropshire Way. Ordnance Survey Reference: 137:SO443945 |
| Show map of Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills... |
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Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills Postcode for SatNav: SY6 6JG |
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