A Shropshire Way Guided Trail Holiday
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A Shropshire Way Guided Trail Holiday Tour Style: Guided Trails Destinations: Shropshire Hills & England Trip code: CSLSE Trip Walking Grade: 3 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Explore the length and breadth of the Shropshire Hills AONB on our new Shropshire Way. Together, we’ll traverse unspoilt, tranquil countryside, hills with views across the Marches and quaint medieval towns and villages. Along the way we will visit all the highest points in the Shropshire Hills, each boasting excellent opportunities for outstanding hilltop panoramas so be sure to bring your camera! WHAT'S INCLUDED • Full Board en-suite accommodation • Services of an experienced HF Holidays Walk Leader • All transport to and from the walks www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Enjoy that top of the world feeling visiting all the highest points of the Shropshire Hills AONB • Explore a stunning linear route journeying through the most spectacular sections of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty • Discover a wealth of wildlife and a geologist’s heaven along the way • Begin with the myths and legends of the Stiperstones and end in historic black-and-white Ludlow • All meals included and comfortable en-suite accommodation • Guided walks each day led by an experienced HF Walk Leader TRIP SUITABILITY This Guided Walking/Hiking Trail is graded 3 which involves walks/hikes on well-defined paths, though often in hilly or upland areas, or along rugged footpaths. These may be rough and steep in sections and will require a good level of fitness. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the relevant fitness and equipment required to join this holiday. Fitness We want you to be confident that you can meet the demands of each walking day and get the most out of your holiday. Please be sure you can manage the mileage and ascent detailed in the daily itineraries. It is important for your own enjoyment, and that of your fellow guests that you can maintain the pace. It makes a lot of sense to spend time getting some additional exercise before your holiday. We suggest that you try to fit in a number of longer walks, including some on hilly terrain. Other exercises such as cycling, jogging and swimming are also excellent for developing increased stamina. ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: Snailbeach To Bishop's Castle A cracking start today, as we set off from Snailbeach to explore the Stiperstones ridge. Steeped in myth and legend, the ridge introduces us to local fables and its famous Devil’s Chair. We’ll be rewarded with stunning views out over the Shropshire Hills and Welsh border, as well as getting a fantastic chance of spotting red kites and red grouse and hearing the sweet song of the skylark. We reach our highest point today at Manstone Rock - at 536m, this is the second highest hill in Shropshire. We’re off then, over Nipstone Hill and Linley Hill, before heading down to the market town of Bishops Castle, famous for its two microbreweries (check out Three Tuns - the oldest brewery in the UK). 18km/11miles with 610m/2,000ft of ascent Day 3: Bishop's Castle To Longmynd House From Bishop’s Castle we head east, past Oakeley Mynd and on through the hamlets of Totterton and Eyton, down to Plowden. We climb up onto the Long Mynd following the ancient ‘Portway’, passing the Midland Gliding Club. On the right day, we’ll be able to watch dozens of paragliders swooping above. We reach the highest point on the Long Mynd, at Pole Bank, 516m/1,693ft for fantastic views over this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Charming Townbrook Valley then accompanies us back to our base at Longmynd House. 20km/12½miles with 580m/1,900ft of ascent Day 4: Free Day Take a break today. Explore the local area, relax in the pool, or if you’re still keen to stretch your legs, head out on one of our self-guided walking routes. Day 5: Longymnd House To Eaton Walking straight from our door, we head north on quiet country lanes to All Stretton, to climb Caer Caradoc (459m/ 1,506ft) and explore the ramparts of its Iron Age hillfort (one of the best preserved in the area). Super views to Wenlock Edge and back across the Long Mynd, before we tackle our second top today, Hope Bowdler Hill (426m/1,398ft). Through villages and hidden valleys now to Eaton-under-Heywood, where we finish our walk today. 18km/11miles with 625m/2,050ft of ascent Day 6: Eaton To Clee Liberty Common Up and onto Wenlock Edge. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, the limestone ridge here is what remains of an ancient coral reef and offers some fantastic discoveries for fossil hunters. Walking along the Edge, we reach Wilderhope Manor, and head south through quiet countryside before climbing up to the twin tops of Brown Clee Hill. The first top - Abdon Burf (540m/1,770ft) is the highest point in Shropshire. We take in its second top too, before heading down to finish our walk near Clee St. Margaret. 21km/13miles with 685m/2,250ft of ascent Day 7: Clee Liberty Common To Ludlow Clee Liberty Common and the Jack Mytton Way to begin with today, on our final leg of our journey to the medieval black and white town of Ludlow. Our final high point today is Titterstone Clee Hill. Climbing up via the Giant’s Chair, we reach the high point at 533m/1,749ft for a super panorama. South now through Knowbury, passing the Iron Age hillfort of Caynham Camp, before we reach the end of our journey, and historical Luldow - the perfect place to celebrate our journey crossing the highest points of Shropshire Hills AONB. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 22km/13½miles with 580m/1,900ft of ascent Day 8: Departure Day Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. ACCOMMODATION Longmynd House Hidden in plain sight, there’s a well-kept countryside secret in the heart of England that might just surprise you with its wonderful upland walking, trails, history and heritage. Discover the heart of Shropshire from striking Longmynd House, stood on a wooded hillside above Church Stretton, on the border of England and Wales. Wake early to watch the sunrise from your balcony; take a dip in the heated outdoor pool and gear up for a great day in the hills on walks full of rich variety. Stride out on the Long Mynd itself, a dramatic, isolated whaleback hill with an expanse of heather wilderness and deeply cut valleys, explore the Stiperstones and climb to the Iron Age fort on top of Caer Caradoc, or surround yourself with historic castles, market towns and trails of all kinds. Matchless Country House Accommodation Accommodation Info Need To Know Important Covid-19 Steps We Have Taken For Guest Safety: Please Read Following the relaxation in government guidance on 19 July, we are continuing to take extra steps to keep our guests leaders, and staff safe in our HF country houses. We ask all our guests to respect the measures put in place. The English, Scottish and Welsh governments are not in sync, so measures in our country houses will vary between the nations. With the relaxation of social distancing in England, from 19 July we will be allowing larger groups to dine and relax in the bar together. However, we will still give guests space e.g. we will seat 6 people at a table where pre-pandemic we may have seated 8. We will ensure our public rooms are well ventilated by opening doors and windows wherever possible. If you have any concerns about distancing, please speak to the House Manager. The government recommendation for England is to wear face coverings in crowded areas. You must wear a face covering by law in public areas in hotels in Scotland. This is mandatory in public spaces; however, face coverings will not be required whilst eating and drinking in the restaurant and bar areas or whilst you are outside our houses. In Wales face coverings will remain a legal requirement indoors, with the exception of hospitality premises. As a temporary measure, we will not be servicing rooms during a stay. Extra tea, coffee, milk, and toiletries will be made available on request for all guests. It is recommended that guests bring their own toiletries for the duration of their stay. We will though be increasing the frequency of cleaning in our public areas providing particular attention to frequently touched items including door handles and handrails. Menus for the week will be available in your room on arrival. A self-service breakfast will be served from 7.45am – 9am. Picnic lunches will now be pre-ordered the night before from an order form in the room. Evening meals will be table service. A dinner order form will be available in each room for completion. Dinner is served at either 7.15pm or 7.30pm. Please check at the house for details. The bar will be open. We will be offering a table service but guests can also come to the bar to order (depending on local restrictions). www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 4 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Join our team after dinner on Wednesday evenings for the HF Big Pub Quiz.