A Shropshire Way Guided Trail Holiday

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Distance: 10 miles (16.5km)

Ascent:1,000ft (300m)

Starting at Lyth Hill Country Park, we’ll follow the rope walk along the crest of a hill said to be the setting that inspired the works of English Romance novelist, Mary Webb, who was once resident here. Along the way, we can admire panoramic views across the surrounding hills and plains of Shropshire.

We’ll follow field paths and green lanes before ascending Wilderley Hill to reach the ancient Portway. Leaving the Portway we descend through the pretty Golden Valley and follow the Darnford Brook to the hamlet of Bridges.

Distance: 11 miles (18km)

Ascent: 1,700 (520m)

Starting at Snailbeach, we’ll ascend through the remains of historic lead mines to reach the iconic Stiperstones ridge with its stunning views of Long Mynd to the east and the Cambrian mountains of Wales to the west.  The Cambrian Quartzite rocks on the ridge become more evident and rougher underfoot as we head south, passing the ‘Devil’s Chair’ and other craggy outcrops to reach Nipstone Rock.

Our next destination is the brow of Linley Hill after which the terrain becomes gentler as we descend along the famous tree lined avenue known as Linley Beeches. Quiet lanes and field paths then take us to the hamlet of More with its rich history including the remains of a 12th century motte and bailey earthwork. We’ll continue onwards to Bishop’s Castle, a small quirky town with a fascinating history.

Discover more about Longmynd House and the local area for ideas on how to make the most of your free day.

Distance: 11 miles (18km)

Ascent: 1,750 ft (540m)

Leaving Bishop’s Castle past the quirky ‘zipped up’ houses, we’ll head towards Reilth Top before descending steeply to reach a wooded valley walk to Churchtown.  Here, the Shropshire Way joins with Offa’s Dyke Path, and we’ll follow an undulating route along one of the best-preserved sections of the 8th century earthworks which formed the 149-mile-long Offa’s Dyke, to Hergan.

Our next destination is the summit of the Cefns with its panoramic views of the Clun Valley. From here we’ll follow the ridgeline as it descends to the beautiful village of Clun, with its packhorse bridge and ruins of a Norman Castle.

Distance:11.5 miles (19km)

Ascent: 1,600ft (480m)

Today’s walk takes in remote valleys and two of the region’s finest Iron Age Forts. Leaving Clun, the ‘Way’ ascends to Bury Ditches hill fort, passing through the ramparts before continuing onwards through Walcot Wood with its huge oaks. Eventually we’ll descend into the ancient and picturesque village of Hopesay.

From here we’ll ascend Hopesay Hill from which we’ll get our first glimpse of Craven Arms and the Onny Valley. Following field paths, the ‘Way’ gently descends towards Craven Arms and Stokesay Castle. Built in the 13th century, it is widely regarded as the best example of a fortified manor house in the country (English Heritage).

Distance: 10.6 miles (17km) 

Ascent: 500ft (160m)

From the Shopshire Hills Discovery Centre we’ll cross the River Onny and ascend to the small village of Aldon along what is reputed to have been a coffin road. From there, the ‘Way’ descends into the wooded ‘dene’ of Aldon Gutter which soon converges with Brandhill Gutter (a Shropshire term for a stream in a deep valley). Through the trees we will catch glimpses of Stokesay Court  - best known as the location for the 2007 Oscar winning film ‘Atonement’.

We’ll continue along quiet lanes and field paths to the village of Bromfield with its old mill on the River Teme. From here we’ll approach Ludlow along a private estate road (Oakly Park). As we near the town we are rewarded with impressive views of Ludlow Castle. We enter the historic town of Ludlow, across Dinham Bridge. Once described by English poet and writer Sir John Betjeman, as ‘the loveliest town in England’, Ludlow, with its striking Norman castle, half-timbered buildings, historic church and cafes, is a wonderful place to end our exploration of The Shropshire Way

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.