Shropshire

Shropshire is the largest inland county in England, yet is somewhat forgotten (though once there it is easy to see why the Salopians keep it secret). Wales is to the west and parts of the county are Welsh in appearance and even have Welsh placenames. The north of the county is generally flat, similar to Cheshire to the north. However it is the south of the county which is more interesting to hikers and walkers. A mix of true English countryside and unpopulated hill country.

The main hill ranges are the Stiperstones, the Strettons, the Clee Hills, and Clun Forest. There is also Wenlock Edge, The Wrekin and Ironbridge Gorge which are popular destinations for their own reasons. The best part of south Shropshire, about a third of the whole county, is covered by the Shropshire Hills AONB.

Stiperstones
The Stiperstones are a ridge of hills only a few miles south west of Shrewsbury. The highest peak is 536m and the ridge is considerably higher than the countryside to the west and north which is typically at 70-90m. Therefore the views over the Severn valley out towards Powys and north Shropshire is exceptional. The Stiperstones are close enough to the Strettons for a combined long walk encompassing both hill ranges.

Paths on the Stiperstones are rocky and they feel rather more mountainous than you would expect for their modest height, so allow extra time.

Strettons
At the centre of the Strettons lies the town of Church Stretton and on either end the villages of All Stretton and Little Stretton. The valley in which these settlements are located in is sometimes called "Little Switzerland". Church Stretton has a railway station on the Shrewsbury to Hereford line and it is possible to go direct by train from Manchester Piccadilly. From the town you can walk either east or west.

To the west is the Long Mynd, a high plateau around 450-500m, with a peak at Pole Bank of 516m. Up there you will find a gliding club airfield, firing ranges and archery ranges! Quite a popular place for locals to climb (or drive) up and wander around the top. The plateau is moorland and there are some wild horses. The eastern edge of the Long Mynd (towards Church Stretton) has some steep slopes and deep valleys -- a very different feel from the central plateau.

Clee Hills
The highest peak in Shrophsire is Brown Clee Hill at 540m. It lies amongst other Clee Hills in a very rural English setting. The small town (very small) of Cleobury Mortimer is on one end, near the border with Worcestershire. Ludlow, which has a railway station with trains to Manchester, lies on the other, west end of the hills.

The highest public house in Shropshire, and one of the highest in England, can be found near the village of Clee Hill (yes, confusing I know). The Kremlin at 390m.

Clun Forest
Not so much hiking to be done, but if you are after long country walks through the land that time forgot, then the Clun Forest area of Shropshire is for you. This area is really Welsh which was annexed to Shropshire some centuries ago and the population are sparsely settled and are very "local". The nearest towns are Clun and Bishop's Castle - both are very small and unless you are going by car/coach then forget it (public transport is non-existent). The weather out here can be very wet too (personal experience in both winter and summer). A treat though for those who enjoy the ancient Welsh Marches countryside, unspoilt.

The second highest public house in Shropshire, the most westerly public house in Shropshire and the most westerly public house (and indeed settlement) on the English-Welsh border is the Anchor, in Anchor (the hamlet doesn't really consist of much else) at 385m.

Getting there
Travelling to Shropshire from Manchester is easy and also reasonably near. Shrewsbury, the county town, is 75 minutes by train (hourly direct service with Arriva Trains Wales). The same train continues towards Cardiff and calls at Church Stretton, Craven Arms and Ludlow in south Shropshire. If going by car or coach, use the M56 then the A49 - to Shrewsbury it is 70 miles from the centre of Manchester. Depending where in south Shropshire you want to go, change direction at Shrewsbury (though sticking to the A49 towards Leominster is most likely).

Real ales
Finally, local beers - there are many local breweries in Shropshire. In Wem, north Shropshire, there is Hanby Ales. In Shrewsbury, mid Shropshire, there is the Salopian brewery. In Craven Arms, south Shropshire, there is Woods. The Three Tuns brewery in Bishop's Castle, near Wales, and in Cleobury Mortimer, southeast Shropshire, there is Hobsons.

If you go to a pub in Shropshire, look out for their ales!