Meadow Glamping

To see what things were like before furnaces and foundries, take the Shropshire Way out of Ironbridge and walk; you could do the whole 139-mile circuit if you like, or there’s a more modest section of eight miles from Ironbridge to the windy heights of Wrekin Hill, often accompanied by buzzards. Alternatively, drive 20 minutes to Much Wenlock to explore Wenlock Edge, a 19-mile limestone ridge that once formed part of a tropical coral reef. For thrills on the Severn, The Edge Adventure Activity Centre in Wenlock arranges canoeing, kayaking and rafting as well as quad biking and clay pigeon shooting on dry land. If you’re chasing gentler times by the water’s edge, Boldings Pools 20 minutes away are stuffed with carp and bream, roach and perch, and sections of the Severn near the gorge can be fished with day permits. Should you still be hankering for some time travel, it’s a 15-minute journey to Bridgnorth if you fancy joining the Severn Valley Railway for a 16-mile shunting and puffing steam trip up to Kidderminster. You could also take to the skies (kind of) at the RAF Museum in Cosford (20 minutes) or wander the ruined ramparts of the 11th-century castle looking over Ludlow, 45 minutes away.