Shropshire - free places

OneYorkshireLass

In true MSE style I'm loathe to pay anything, or much, on days out.

Can anyone recommend things to do in Shropshire that are free or cheap? I know nothing about the county btw but would be staying near Church Stretton.

hall987

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carding-mill-valley-and-shropshire-hills/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g315989-s4/Church-Stretton:United-Kingdom:Things.To.Do.html

OneYorkshireLass

I'd just been looking at Carding Mill Valley Thanks for the link, it looks lovely.

Scorpio_girlie

When will you be staying and for how long? Do you want to stay fairly local to Church Stretton or do you want to see more of the county (it is quite a big county)

OneYorkshireLass

It'll be just a three night stay. Would want to stay within 30 mins of Church Stretton.

blue_haddock

Being someone born and raised in shropshire i'd recommend Telford Town Park if you have kids - its a large free play area with lots for them to do.

I'd also recommend a trip to RAF cosford Museum - its amazing (providing you like planes!)

purpleheather2810

If you want beautiful scenery, peace and quiet and pretty towns with great local food you've come to the right place! Cardingmill Valley is lovely - if you have children make sure they take spare clothes, wellies etc as paddling in the stream is a must! The Shropshire Hills generally are beautiful and it's well worth a drive over the Long Mynd or Wenlock Edge. Obviously there are many walks you can do - for all abilities.
To make best use of your NT membership, Attingham Park is well worth a visit. Again, nice walks in the estate grounds, lots of deer, large kitchen garden and orchard - and the house itself is very grand.
From Attingham Park you're only a stone's throw from the county town Shrewsbury which is an authentic medieval market town built on a hill above the River Severn. Great range of independent shops, interesting listed buildings, cobbled streets and a small museum (Rowleys House) which I think is free. The Quarry is a huge park along the riverbank where you can go on a paid boat trip or simply watch the boats go by from the pub on the other side of the river. There's a large children's playground and paddling pool in the Summer. Use the park and ride, don't try to park in the centre of Shrewsbury!
Ironbridge is a pretty little town, again along the River Severn and steeped in history. You will find some great local eateries and independent shops (vintage cafe Queenies is recommended). In the centre of the town is dominated by the famous Iron Bridge, which is the centrepiece of this World Heritage Site. The award-winning Ironbridge Gorge Museums are dotted along the valley, each one celebrating a different part of the industrial past of this area, including Jackfield Tile Museum, Coalport China Museum and Blist's Hill Victorian Town. They aren't cheap to visit but you can buy a passport using Tesco clubcard vouchers if you have some.

If you still have time after all that (!), Much Wenlock is very quaint and interesting and Ludlow, right down in the South, is a town for foodies and has a large, imposing castle to visit.

Phew! And that's just South Shropshire! Come back again and then you can discover North Shropshire aswell!

OneYorkshireLass

Oops, should've mentioned that I don't have kids.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll enjoy Shrewsbury as it sounds a lot like York (my favourite city).

Thanks for the tip about Tesco Clubcard vouchers - will investigate that

Scorpio_girlie

On the opposite side of the hill from The Longmynd, you have The Stiperstones hills, with the legendary Devils Chair! After a lovely walk you can visit the village of Stiperstones and have a lovely warm welcome in The Stiperstones Inn (with great food too)!

I also second RAF Cosford museum - it is free to go in - you just have to pay for parking.

SG
x

greenface

One decent place is Ellesmere . A nice drive from Church Stretton. Think to Llangollen also its not too far. Have friends in Craven Arms and some nice places to eat around there. Enjoy

oramgepekoe

Not free but we've enjoyed these places :

Wroxeter Roman City, English Heritage. It includes the roman town house built for the channel 4 series a few years ago.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/wroxeter-roman-city/

Stokesay Castle, English Heritage. South of Shrewsbury.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stokesay-castle/

Hawkstone Park Follies where they filmed the BBC version of the Narnia stories. North of Shrewsbury.
http://www.hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk/gallery/