10 Of The Best Things To Do In Shropshire
Planning a day out in Shropshire? Whether you’re a local looking for inspiration or a visitor searching for things to do on holiday, there are plenty of excellent outings to choose from around the county.
This is a fabulously scenic region, with plenty of choice for outdoor activities in the Shropshire Hills National Landscape and around the River Severn. Heritage seekers, meanwhile, won't want to miss places like Stokesay Castle and the steam trains of the Severn Valley Railway – and that's before we’ve even mentioned Ironbridge Gorge, one of the UK's most extensive World Heritage Sites.
It's probably no surprise to hear that camping is a favourite activity in this area for the Pitchup team. With so much fabulous scenery around the county, there’s no shortage of excellent campsites in Shropshire, from bargain farm pitches to stylish glamping tents. Check out the full list below and bring an extra touch of adventure to your break.
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Ironbridge Gorge
Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, Ironbridge was at the heart of the UK’s 18th-century industrial development, and is now acknowledged as one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution. It was here that engineer Abraham Darby III built the world’s first cast-iron bridge, an impressive span that still remains, and gives the town its name.
Among the remains of foundries, original workers’ dwellings, mines and factories, Ironbridge Gorge is now home to no fewer than 10 museums with exhibits exploring the manufacture and production of tiles, china, iron and tobacco pipes, among other things. Where will you go first? The Gorge Museum traces the significance of the river, while in the recreated Victorian Town at Blists Hill costumed actors populate shops, working foundries and a historic funfair. At the Enginuity Museum, hands-on exhibits and experiments bring the area alive for kids.
Visitors to Ironbridge can pick up single tickets to the individual attractions or attend special seasonal events. However, if you're planning to visit more than one attraction it’s well worth buying an annual pass – the prices work out particularly well for families, and if you live nearby they’re an absolute steal.
Severn Valley Railway
Running for 16 miles through the beautiful scenery between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, the Severn Valley Railway passes through the Severn Valley Country Park and gives you the chance to ride aboard an original early-1900s steam train.
To make a full day of it, you can break your journey at stations on the way, for a walk by the river or a visit to The Engine House in Highley, where more historic steam and diesel trains are on display. There are opportunities to dine aboard, or do a spot of gin tasting.
If you’re a diehard enthusiast who wants to splash out for a special event, Footplate Experiences give you the chance to ride in the engine and stoke the fire (needless to say, you’ll need to book these well in advance).
Stokesay Castle
A fortified manor house built by wool merchant Laurence of Ludlow in the late 13th century, Stokesay Castle stands in peaceful countryside close to the Welsh border and remains largely unchanged since its early days. A moat surrounds the walled enclosure, accessed via a 17th-century half-timbered gatehouse with elaborate wood carvings of angels and dragons. Inside, you can admire the vaulted timber roof, gabled windows and staircase of the 700-year-old Great Hall.
Free audio tours tell you all about the castle and its history, and you can climb the stone steps of the South Tower for sweeping views over the Shropshire Hills. There’s also a cosy tea room in the grounds for refreshments.
If Stokesay’s fired up your imagination, have a look at our full list of the best castles in Shropshire and head out to explore the area’s heritage more deeply.
RAF Museum Midlands
Occupying a series of World War II hangars, the intriguing RAF Museum Midlands traces the history of the Royal Air Force. Its huge collection features experimental prototypes and vintage aircraft from Britain, Germany and Japan, used in transport, training and battle, including a Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1. You can also see uniforms and military artefacts tracing 100 years of the RAF, as well as tanks and vintage cars in the National Cold War Exhibition.
The Michael Beetham Conservation Centre gives enthusiasts the chance to see aircraft and artefacts that are being conserved or restored. Meanwhile, the museum’s 4D Experience features animated visuals, moving seats, water and smoke effects, and simulates flights with the Red Arrows display team and a World War I dogfight.
The museum runs various special events throughout the year with the highlight surely being the annual air show, which gives you the chance to watch vintage and modern aircraft performing in dramatic flying and aerobatic displays.
Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World
If you want to give your children a thrill, it has to be Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World, a family-run farm attraction set in 32 acres of Shropshire woodland. Alongside naturalistic enclosures housing things like parrots, tortoises, otters and meerkats, there are snakes and giant lizards, foxes, owls and boa constrictors, some of which you can touch (if you dare), as well as regular feeding sessions and encounters with domestic farm animals. For birthdays or special treats, you can book exclusive keeper sessions and other experiences too.
But these aren’t the only animals you can meet. Lurking in the woods and paddocks around the farm are 15 animatronic dinosaurs for you to seek out, including, of course, a T-Rex. Heading out to hunt them down is bound to be a hit with young dino fans.
Walking near Church Stretton
There are lots of great places to get out for a walk in Shropshire, as you'll see from our list of the best walks in the Shropshire Hills. If you only pick one location, though, it should probably be the area around Church Stretton. With far-reaching views and an extensive network of footpaths, the town has become a popular hub for walkers (and cyclists and horse riders) in recent years.
Depending on your energy levels, you can meander among the round-topped hills, woods and heathlands close to the town, seek out the pretty Lightspout waterfall, or set out to reach the highest point of the Long Mynd, a heather-covered plateau with sweeping views of the Carding Mill Valley and the Welsh mountains.
Wenlock Priory
If you love a quiet stroll in an atmospheric setting, Wenlock Priory, on the edge of the market town of Much Wenlock, is the place for you. An impressive Norman ruin on the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon monastery, the complex prospered as a pilgrimage site after the discovery of Saint Milburge’s relics here in 1101.
Now managed by English Heritage, the site is home to an elaborately carved stone chapterhouse from the 12th century, the handsome remains of a 13th-century church, and a library with original medieval floor tiles. The Cloister Garden is lined with artfully shaped topiary hedges, and you get extra points for spotting the octagonal ‘lavabo’, a carved stone basin where monks used to wash before dinner.
Picnic spots are provided for those who want to bring snacks and drinks along, and dogs are welcome as long as they're kept on leads.
Titterstone Clee Hill
Titterstone Clee is another treat for walkers and photographers, with the added bonus that you can hike up the hill from a road that runs right across the middle, or set off for a short stroll from a car park near the top. The hill's steep, grassy terrain is dotted with places to explore: a curious combination of Bronze-Age cairns, Iron-Age earthworks and abandoned early 20th-century quarry buildings, with distinctly more modern radar towers and weather stations on the summit.
It’s also one of the highest points for miles around, so even if you don’t leave the car you'll be able to enjoy dramatic views of the Malvern Hills and the Worcestershire countryside down below. For those who fancy a longer walk, the Shropshire Way heads north from the summit to Brown Clee, or southwest to Ludlow.
Ludlow Castle
Set on a hilltop overlooking the River Teme, Ludlow Castle was founded in the 11th century. It played a part in both the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil War, and became a royal palace in the 15th century. Expanded, restored and embellished over the centuries, many of its buildings remain largely intact, and you can now follow a winding route through its grassy courtyards, keeps and corridors, as well as a long section of the battlements.
The castle also acts as the hub for September’s Ludlow Food and Drink Festival, and hosts a medieval fair at Christmas. The surrounding town is renowned for its many half-timbered buildings, and ambling down to the river rewards you with a peaceful woodland walk beside the water.
Attingham Park
The grand Regency mansion at Attingham Park sits at the heart of a country estate with 200 acres of peaceful parkland to explore. There’s something here for all tastes with plenty to do both inside the house and out in the grounds.
For walkers, four well-signposted trails, which take between 30 minutes and two hours to walk, leave the Stables Courtyard and wind through 18th-century pleasure grounds, a deer park and mature woodland.
Closer to the mansion, there’s a vast meadow for picnics, with log piles, willow tunnels and natural play areas for children, and you can wander through colourful flower displays in the restored walled garden and the orchard. If you eat at the on-site cafe, you may even get to taste some of the fruit and vegetables grown here.
With so many things to see and do, Shropshire makes a great destination for a short break or a family holiday in the UK. Camping and glamping are both great ways to make the most of the county’s lovely scenery while also keeping costs down – pitches can cost as little as £15 per night depending on the season. Whether you’re into low-cost or luxury, check out our full range below and find the place for you.