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Walks around Church Stretton

Church Stretton is a walkers paradise with many footpaths to choose from on both sides of the valley.

If you want to have a stroll close to town, you can visit  one of our two nature reserves – Rectory Wood & Fields & Coppice Leasowes Nature Reserve. There are  also various footpaths along the valley which you can take to Little Stretton or  All Stretton.

Paths  which take you up onto the  Long Mynd include:

  • Carding Mill Valley – off the Shrewsbury road, but parking can be difficult at busy times
  • Townbrook Hollow –  start at Church Stretton market square, and go through Rectory Wood & Fields
  • Ashes Hollow – starts from Little Stretton by the campsite
  • Batch valley – starts from All Stretton.

Footpaths on the other side of the valley will take you to:

  • Hope Bowdler Hill – provides options of a valley walk, or ridge walk for the more energetic
  • Helmeth Wood – ancient woodland famous for it’s blue bells in May
  • Ragleth Hill – ridge walk with views of Wenlock Edge & the Clee Hills  as well as the Stretton valley
  • Caer Caradoc – Fabulous views from what was once an iron age hill fort.

You can purchase maps & short guides for these & many other local walks at the Library & Visitor Information Centre and in some  shops around town.

If you fancy company,  the Mayfair Community Centre offer guided walks ranging from half an hour on the flat up to two hours over the hills. There will be something there suitable for you whatever your ability.

During summer weekends, the Shropshire Hills National Landscape run a shuttle bus service which provide opportunities to access the hills.  Find out more about Shropshire Hills Shuttle Bus.