Hillwalking in Shropshire. John Gillham

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      The Iron Bridge at springtime (Walk 31)

      In summer the days have lengthened, making it possible to do much longer walks or evening walks, taking in the sunset. The ground at this time has dried out, although you’ll find that low-level paths may be a little overgrown. Make sure you take your waterproof leggings at this time for dew-drenched vegetation can soak you quite quickly, as can farmers’ crops, which might well be tall. Mid to late August is the best time to see the heather blooming on Stiperstones and the Long Mynd.

      In autumn the nights draw in again, but the flame colours of the bracken and the woods add great beauty to the landscape. Bilberry leaves have turned red and the heather to dark russet. Together they mix with the grasses to create a tapestry of colour any tweed designer would be proud of.

Bases for the Shropshire hills

      The range of accommodation available in Shropshire is wide. However, accommodation providers are always changing and so it would be impractical to provide a complete listing here. A selection of campsites, hostels, the long-established inns and hotels is provided in Appendix B, and up-to-date accommodation lists and availability can be found at www.trivago.co.uk, www.laterooms.com and www.booking.com.

      Ludlow

      Ludlow, in the south of the county, has good road links to Knighton and Craven Arms and good bus and train links with Craven Arms, Church Stretton and Shrewsbury. The market and tourist town has plenty of shops, a large supermarket, several hotels, inns and B&Bs and two campsites. It’s well known for its restaurants, has a theatre, and you can visit the castle and the museum. With riverside walks and so much of interest, this is a great base for southern Shropshire.

      South-west Shropshire

      There are no sizeable accommodation centres for those wanting to explore the Clun and Teme valleys. The biggest is the market town of Knighton just over the Welsh Border. Knighton has quite a few shops, a handful of B&Bs (including a couple of inns), and is on the Heart of Wales railway line with links to Ludlow, Craven Arms, Church Stretton and Shrewsbury. The next largest centre with a couple of inns and B&Bs is Bishop’s Castle.

      Bridgnorth

      The historic market town on the banks of the River Severn has good road links to Telford, Ironbridge and the Wenlock Edge and bus links to Much Wenlock, Ludlow and Telford. The town has many hotels, inns, B&Bs and shops, including a large supermarket. There’s a campsite on the hillside at Stanmore, just over a mile to the east. The town is crammed with history and things to see and do, including the Severn Valley (steam) Railway.

      Church Stretton

      Deservedly the most popular base for the Shropshire Hills, Church Stretton is a busy little town surrounded by characterful hills, including the Long Mynd, Ragleth Hill and Caer Caradoc. There are regular buses and trains along the valley to Shrewsbury and Ludlow and there are plentiful inns, B&Bs and one hotel. There are campsites at nearby Leebotwood and Little Stretton.