SHROPSHIRE EXPLORER – THE SHROPSHIRE WAY & THE LONG MYND A 6 night self-guided route around one of the UK’s best kept secrets, the Shropshire Hills. Nestled on the border of Wales, there are hills to roam and a rich history to explore, with daily luggage transfers
www.colletts.co.uk [email protected] 01799 513331 At a glance A 6 night self guided walk through the fresh air of the Shropshire Hills. Starting and ending in the historic town of Ludlow, there are medieval castles and ancient droving routes to explore. Following the Shropshire Way for much of the walk, you’ll come to know the villages of the region well, including Bishops Castle, home of the Three Tuns Brewery (the oldest brewery in the UK) and Church Stretton, nicknamed through the Victorian and Edwardian era as ‘Little Switzerland’. Crossing the high moorland of the Long Mynd, meaning Long Mountain, gives stunning views across the landscape. This patchwork of heathland is managed by the National Trust and is a wonderful place to explore alongside the ponies, grouse and otters in the region.
Dates & Prices Walking season is from 1st April to 31st October – Standard accommodation £645 per person, accommodation upgrade from £725 per person, these are based on two people sharing a room. Single occupancy rates available from £895. If you wish to book out of season, please contact us to discuss potential options (prices may vary) We think the best months to visit are May, June & September
Arrive any day in Ludlow. Prices are per person and based on two people sharing a twin or double room. Please note that all bookings are subject to availability in our chosen accommodation. Please do not make any travel arrangements until we have confirmed your accommodation dates. The minimum party size is two (for reasons of safety no single travellers are permitted).
Grade : Moderate – Some long days Ascents: 300m to 550m each day Descents : 350m to 475m each day Walking Time: 5 to 8 hours each day Terrain: This route primarily follows tracks and well-trodden footpaths which are good underfoot. Areas above the tree line can be difficult to navigate in adverse weather, being prepared for all types of weather is a must. If you are in any doubt whether this holiday is suitable for you, please call the office on 01799 513331 or email [email protected] and we will be happy to discuss the route in more detail with you.
Included in the price • 6 nights B&B accommodation in handpicked 3* hotels or bed and breakfasts. • Luggage transfers each day from hotel to hotel • Detailed route cards (including maps, route descriptions, places to visit, important telephone numbers) • Telephone support throughout your holiday (provided by CMH)
Not included in the price • Travel to Ludlow & Travel Insurance • Onward transport from Ludlow at the end of the holiday • Any public transport during your trip • Packed Lunches, Dinners (budget £15-35 pp per day) • Drinks, and all extras
Shropshire Explorer – The Shropshire Hills The Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Ludlow and settle In The thriving medieval market town of Ludlow is your starting point for this week’s walk. The 11th century Ludlow Castle sits in the centre of the town, a great place to explore before you set off for your weeks walking. There are many excellent restaurants and cafes to enjoy thanks to the abundance of quality food and drink producers in the local area. Overnight in Ludlow
Day 2 – Ludlow - Craven Arms - Clun 18.8km, 5 - 6 hours walking, 510m ascent / 440m descent Take the train from Ludlow for the 8 minute journey to Craven Arms. Leaving Craven arms you will immediately join onto the Shropshire Way, the long distance footpath that you’ll follow for most of the next 4 days. You’ll cross pastureland and pass through quaint villages along your first taste of the Shropshire Hills. The day finishes in Clun, a timeless village, that local author and poet A.E. Houseman once described as ‘one of the quietest places under the sun.’ Overnight in Clun
Day 3 – Clun – Bishops Castle 17.7km, 5 - 6 hours walking, 450m ascent / 450m descent Leaving Clun via the old castle, you’ll follow a stream up the valley and over the hills to meet Offa’s Dyke Path. Originally built by King Offa of Murcia in the 8th century, the dyke is now a long distance footpath that broadly follows the England and Wales border. Turning east you will climb towards Reilth Top for a view down to Bishops Castle and across the valley to the Long Mynd beyond. Your accommodation tonight is in Bishops Castle, home to the UK’s oldest brewery, the Three Tuns Inn. Overnight in Bishops Castle
Day 4 – Bishops Castle to Bridges 19 km, 6-7 hours walking, ascent 550m / descent 475m Today we continue to follow the Shropshire Way, crossing the farmland as we leave Bishops Castle to reach the Linley Estate and climb Norbury Hill. The terrain undulates into the heart of the Shropshire Hills AONB, passing The Bog to reach the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve. We then drop down to The Bridges, a remote pub beside a babbling brook, the perfect place to relax with a drink on a summers evening. A local taxi will then take you to Church Stretton for your overnight accommodation. Overnight in Church Stretton
Day 5 – Little Stretton – Long Mynd – Church Stretton 13.6 km, 5 - 6 hours walking, 480m ascent / 480m descent Heading south out of Church Stretton, you will pass through Hopes Wood at the base of the Long Mynd making your way towards the village of Little Stretton. After passing through the campsite on the outskirts of the village, your ascent onto the Long Mynd begins with a walk up Ashes Hollow. The path weaves through the steep sided valley, leading you up to the summit at Pole Bank, from here there are knockout views across much of the weeks walking. You can take the time to enjoy the moorland through this National Trust site and walk amongst the ponies that call the Long Mynd home. Overnight in Church Stretton
Day 6 – Church Stretton – Craven Arms - Ludlow 15.9 km, 6 - 7 hours walking, 300m ascent / 375m descent Church Stretton is the heart of the Shropshire Hills and the only town located within the area designated AONB. From here you will immediately climb Ragleth hill, giving superb views across Church Stretton and the Long Mynd to the west. After crossing farmland and ascending Wenlock Edge, you’ll once again arrive in the town of Craven Arms to catch a train back to Ludlow to conclude your week of walking. Overnight in Ludlow
Day 7 - Departure Enjoy one final breakfast before your departure, independent onward travel, or the possibility to extend your stay.
Travel Getting to and from Ludlow Getting to Ludlow is easily done by car or train. Located just off the A49, it has easy access from the south and north of the country. For those wanting to arrive by train, there are direct trains every hour to Manchester Piccadilly and Cardiff Central. For information on train times and fares on all these routes, you can call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950, or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Luggage Transfers We will pick your bags up for you each morning and deliver them to your next overnight stop, this allows your walking days to be easier and lighter.
Accommodation
All of the accommodation that you will stay in has been handpicked and are family run B&B’s, country pubs or hotels.
Please let us know the dates you would like to book as soon as possible as we need to contact all the chosen accommodation for availability at each stage of the route. If you require a single or twin room please also try and book early as these tend to be quite limited and therefore sell out quickly.
This walk has very limited accommodation (LA) in Bridges, please book early to avoid disappointment.
In the case of unavailability for some of your chosen accommodation we will endeavour to find suitable and an equivalent standard of accommodation.
“Your Own Risk” Your self guided “Shropshire Explorer – The Shropshire Way & The Long Mynd” holiday will be spent entirely at your own risk and it is important that you understand that whilst the route notes are accurate at the time of writing, the situation on the ground may change and this itinerary relies on your sound judgement and decision making throughout. Our self-guided “Shropshire Explorer – The Shropshire Way & The Long Mynd” has been organised so that you might enjoy a route and associated accommodation you may not otherwise have discovered having organised the itinerary yourself. It represents nothing more than the opportunity to go out on a beautiful walk in a part of this wonderful walking area, with the support of knowing that many of the logistics have been arranged for you. It is a fact that walking can and is associated with personal injury and death. By coming to such areas, you are exposing yourself and your party to the possibility of personal injury or even death. In such an event, Collett’s Limited trading as Collett's Mountain Holidays will not be held responsible for your interest in the outdoors and your involvement in coastal walking, which can occasionally have tragic consequences. The information provided uses only marked paths which are in use at the time of writing, however, it is your responsibility to continually assess the suitability and safety of the route throughout the walk and to undertake any action necessary to avoid any terrain which each or any member of the group is not comfortable with. The route choice also assumes an ability to read maps and navigate competently. It is the responsibility of each individual in the group to make an assessment of the information provided, and to make an informed decision about whether the itinerary is suitable for them. Finally, during your holiday with Collett's Mountain Holidays you act at your own risk on any ideas, information and opinions included in any material prepared by us to help you get the most from the area.