Hawkstone Park

Hawkstone Park is a wonderful place to visit for a good traditional family day out. It holds several themed events throughout the year but Hawkstone Park Follies is more than just a park. This year it was placed 14th in the Sunday Times ‘Britain’s Best 50 Days Out feature. Surprisingly, quite a few people from the West Midlands are unaware of its very existence.

When Samuel Johson wrote about the Follies of Hawkstone Park in 1774 he described it as a park with ‘Striking scenes and terrific grandeur. The same is true today and little will have changed in this fantasy land of natural cliffs, caves and woodland.

The Follies had fallen into years of neglect but were restored and opened again in 1993. English Heritage named it as Family Attraction of the Year in 2004. A walk around the park features places with names such as Grotto Hill, a network of old mines cut deep into the cliff face. Swiss Bridge perched high over a deep gorge, and the Monument, a large 100 foot high column on top of the hill with views across spectacular countryside.

Twisting and windy paths along the cliff face take the walker to various tunnels and structures that will keep the kids amused for hours. Children and adults alike will find this park magical and full of adventure. Let them run around and enjoy themselves. Some of the routes are fairly steep and pushchairs, the elderly, or very young children may struggle negotiating the route. The guide recommends allowing three hours but you could easily make a day of this if you took a picnic lunch and explored everything in a leisurely manner.

There are picnic tables available and refreshments on route with a dedicated cafeteria near the entrance at the Greenhouse Tearoom and Visitor Centre.

Nearby places might include Haughmond Hill Abbey and Attingham Park. Reviews on both of these places can be found on the website ( use the search box ) Hawkstone Park Follies also has a Gold Course and a Hotel.

The landscaped grounds of Hawkstone Park were originally established by Richard Hill of Hawkstone in 1655 and then developed by subsequent members of the Hill family. Sir Rowland Hill of Hawkstone ( 1705-1783 ) was mainly responsible for the works on the estate. Hawkstone Park is now being restored and is protected as a Grade I historic park.

Hawkstone Park, Weston-Under-Redcastle, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. SY4 5UY. 

Tel: 01948 841700

For more photographs of Hawkstone Park click here or view on You Tube

Attingham Park

Built in 1785 for the 1st Lord Berwick. The property features a picture gallery by John Nash and collections of silver, Italian furniture and Grand Tour Paintings. There is a Deer Park with walks alongside the river Tern. 

For more photographs of Attingham Park click here or view on You Tube

 

Attingham Park, Shrewsbury, SY4 4TP. Tel: 01743 708123

Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury in Shropshire lies on the River Severn and is just 9 miles from the Welsh border. It is a popular place for tourists and is an old medieval town with a wealth of fine architecture and picturesque city landscapes.

The wool trade provided the wealth for the town which was founded in around 900. Little has changed in the town over the centuries since its prime and it has certainly resisted the temptation of modernisation. With a population of around 72,000 it is often referred to as the 'Gateway to Wales' and many of its visitors will certainly be stopping on route to or from Wales.

The town has many pleasant side streets with good shopping facilities and some magnificent old pubs. At the centre of the town there is a large riverside park which is extremely popular during the summer months.

Each year Shrewsbury is the venue for the Annual Flower Show in mid August. This two day event attracts thousands of visitors and at the end of both days there is a spectacular firework display.

For more photographs of Shrewsbury click here or view on You Tube

 

Sunnycroft

Victorian villa and one of the few remaining gentleman's houses of the Victorian age. Intact with much of the original furnishings and trappings of the period. Interesting grounds and outhouses.

For more photographs of Sunnycroft click here

Sunnycroft,  200 Holyhead Road, Wellington, TF1 2DR. Tel:01952 242884

The Wrekin

The Wrekin is a large hill with a fort in the county of Shropshire.  Just 4 miles west of Telford the hill fort is a well preserved example and the large wooded expanse of land is very popular with walkers and tourists. Some magnificent views of the surrounding countryside can be observed from The Wrekin.

A local saying which refers to the long distance it takes to walk around the hill, ' All around the Wrekin' and is often used to describe someone who is taking too long to explain something.

For more photos of Telford and the Wrekin click here

Wroxeter

Wroxeter is a village in the county of Shropshire, England, on the east bank of the River Severn, at grid reference SJ563082. It is located on the site of the Roman city of Viroconium, which was once one of the largest cities in England but fell into decline once the Roman Empire left Britain around 410 AD.

Some impressive standing ruins from Viroconium are located just outside the village, where there is a also a small museum. There is a vineyard in the village, which is the only commercial one in the county and since 2004 holds the record for growing the most northerly red wine grapes in the world.

Wroxeter is about 5 miles south-east of the town of Shrewsbury and is near to the village of Atcham. The Royal Mail postcode begins SY4.

One of the largest Roman cities in the UK is thought to have been Wroxeter or Viroconium. It would have been surrounded by walls and would have had a population of around 5000. Wroxeter Roman city is still being excavated by archeologists and is looked after by English Heritage.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

Just up the road from the Roman ruins is the Wroxeter Roman Vineyard, the most northerly vineyard in the UK producing fine quality wines. This is a family run business and there is a shop on the farm where you can taste the wine and buy a few bottles.

http://www.wroxetervineyard.co.uk/

For more photos of Wroxeter click here

RAF Cosford Museum

The Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford helps to preserve the history of aviation for future generations. The documentation of the history of the Royal Air Force is an integral part of museum's work which is sponsored by the Department for Culture.

The museum at Cosford was opened in 1979 prior to which it had been used to house a collection of old aircraft. The British Airways collection was also housed here until the company withdrew funding.

A variety of aircraft are on permanent display here and not all are British. Visitors can see German, American and Japanese aircraft as well as some exhibits from Argentina.

Additional features include a missile collection, transport section and aircraft engines. A good family day out or a plane spotters paradise.

RAF Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8UP. Tel: 01902 376200

www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Weston Park

As described by the official website "Weston Park is one of the most welcoming stately homes with as much character as any English castle and with as many stories as any Royal Home".

This country house in Weston-under-Lizard is set in 1000 acres of parkland designed by Capability Brown. It is a Grade I listed building with an orangery and stable block. First mentioned in the Domesday Book the land still features its medieval deer park and forest.

The house was built in 1671 by Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham and has been host to a numerous well known guests including Royalty, government officials and private companies. It is also a venue for many one off festivals and regular events such as classic car rallies and country fairs.

Weston Park features beautiful gardens, architecture and history. It is an excellent choice for a family day out or a corporate event. Weston Park caters for weddings and conferences as well as activity days.
The park is held in trust by The Weston Park Foundation and visitor attractions include a miniature railway, woodland adventure playground and giant games.

There is a shop and gallery which sell local produce and a 1000 acres to explore. Take a picnic and enjoy a great day out.

Website: http://www.weston-park.com/


For more photographs of Weston Park click here or view on You Tube

Severn Valley Country Park

Severn Valley Country Park with its custom built visitor centre is situated by a river in meadows and woodlands. There are a number of walks and the park has a cafe and toilet facilities. It is very popular in the summer months.

The park has won a Green Flag Award and was opened to the public in 1992. The Severn Valley Railway runs near to the park and visitors can make use of the picnic site by the river and relax in the open countryside.

The site where the Country park now stands used to be a coal mine. Having closed in 1969 the land was eventually reclaimed and the result of this effort is what you see today.

Chapel Lane, Alveley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire. WV15 6NN.

Telford

Telford is the largest town in Shropshire. The town gets its name from the famous civil engineer Thomas Telford although the town really expanded rapidly in the 1960's and 1970's under plans to take the pressure of the rapid expansion of Birmingham and surrounding urban areas. Telford connects up to the main highways with the M54 motorway.

The town of Telford has plenty of good hotels and restaurants and it does receive thousands of tourists every year due its location near the Ironbridge Gorge Museums and other other major attractions. In fact, within easy striking distance of Telford is the Severn Valley Railway, the RAF Museum at Cosford, Weston Park and the Wrekin. There is something for all ages in and around Telford. There are play areas, a boating lake and the Wonderland family park. The town has a wealth of leisure and recreational facilities as well as being home to The International Centre, a large conference and exhibition complex.

At Telford Shopping centre there are over 150 stores with all the major brand names set in a 50 acre site. You literallyc can shop till you drop here in Telford. Recognised as the 'Birthplace of Industry' Telford's Ironbridge Gorge is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For more photographs of Telford and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum click here

 

Hampton Loade

Hampton Loade is a picturesque village in Shropshire that is famous for being situated on the River Severn and for having a cable ferry that has been working here for about 400 years. The cable or chain ferry takes passengers across the river from Hampton Loade to Hampton.

The Severn Valley Railway runs through Hampton Loade and has a station here. This makes it a popular destination for tourists but there is also ample parking and plenty of space for a picnic if you are arriving by car.

For more photographs of Hampton Loade click here

Dudmaston Hall

For 850 years the Dudmaston Estate has moved through time with its changing owners and fortunes. The house was completed in 1701 and a parapet and changed roof line added in the 1820's. The estate passed over to the National Trust in 1978 as a gift from Rachel Labouchere who was fulfilling her fathers wishes that the estate be looked after for future generations. 

The oak room is impressive and the furniture and paintings, along with the sculptures make this an interesting residence. The estate walks are also superb.

Dudmaston Hall, Quatt, Nr Bridgnorth, Shropshire. WV15 6QN.  Tel:01746 780866

For more photographs of Dudmaston Hall click here or view on You Tube

Bridgnorth

Bridgnorth is a town in Shropshire, England. It is split into Low Town and High Town, named on account of their elevations relative to the River Severn. It is the seat of the Bridgnorth district. As of the 2001 census the district's population was 52,497. The population of the town of Bridgnorth is estimated to be 11,500.

Low Town is home to the Severn Valley Railway, which runs southwards to Kidderminster. Low Town is connected to the High Town by the steepest inland cliff railway in Britain, the Castle Hill Railway.

 
High Town is dominated by Bridgnorth Castle and St Mary's church, designed by Thomas Telford. Other notable buildings in the town are the seventeenth century Bridgnorth Town Hall, a surviving town gate, and Daniel's Mill, a watermill.

The Castle, built in 1190 by Robert de Belleme (later Earl of Shrewsbury) was besieged four times in its history, last by the Roundheads in 1646 during the English Civil War. Parliamentary forces used an artificial hill (Panpudding Hill) across from the castle in order to bombard it. The castle survived the seige only to be blown up by the Roundheads in order to prevent its use by the Royalists. The only part that remains, part of the great tower, leans at an angle greater than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

 
On August 21, 2003, Bridgnorth was granted Fairtrade Town status.

It is popular with Black Country tourists and drinkers because of, amongst many other things, its 27 pubs, including 'The Golden Lion', 'The Railwayman's Arms', 'The Black Horse' and 'The Black Boy'.

Bridgnorth is the home of a well-known folk festival.

Nazi HQ of Britain? In 2005, German papers from 1941 were discovered outlining a possible Nazi invasion of the United Kingdom. There is a lot of detail about two Shropshire towns in the documentation - Ludlow and Bridgnorth. Some experts now believe that it was Hitler's intention to make Bridgnorth his HQ in Britain, due to its central, but rural, location and its now disused airfield.

For more photographs of Bridgnorth click here or view on You Tube

Oswestry

Oswestry is a market town in Shropshire which is very close to the Welsh border. The town has many Welsh street names since the town changed hands between the English and Welsh a number of times.

Oswestry gets its name from Oswald's Tree. There are several historic buildings in the town which still has a market held each Wednesday. A statue of a shepherd and his sheep in Market Square reminds us that prior to the late 1960's and an outbreak of foot and mouth disease the livestock market was held within the town.

The town has a number of good independent shops, pubs and cafe's and is a popular destination for visitors especially at weekends. 

For more photos of Oswestry click here or view on You Tube

Ironwork Centre - Oswestry

From humble beginnings in 2008 as a theatre company for amateur performers and singers this fund raising arts centre has raised money for charity and diversified into other areas resulting in a huge collection of ironworks and creative artifacts.

As you approach the main buildings you drive through a large field resplendent with large full scale models of animals from all parts of the globe. Even before you get inside you know you are visiting something special.

With resident crafts people, a warehouse full to the brim with interesting and exciting ironworks this is definitely worth a visit. For details on opening times please visit their website.

Whitehall, Aston, Oswestry, SY11 4JH 
(opposite the Oswestry Golf Course on the A5)

www.blackcountrymetalworks.co.uk

For more photos click here or view on You Tube

Blists Hill

Originally Blists Hill was a brick and tile works with blast furnaces and coal and iron mines. The atmosphere of Victorian England has been captured well, The museum features period shops including a bank, bakery, cycle shop and a post office. There is an old church with a tin roof and plenty of other buildings from the Victorian era.

The museum is operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and was opened in 1973. The small town captures the essence of the Victorian times with its sounds and smells. 

For more photos of Blists Hill click here or view on You Tube

Ludlow

Ludlow is a historic market town located in Shropshire, England, renowned for its well-preserved medieval and Georgian architecture. Situated near the Welsh border, it’s surrounded by picturesque countryside, including the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Ludlow's history dates back to the Norman Conquest, with Ludlow Castle being the focal point. Built in the 11th century, the castle played an important role in Welsh border defense and as a residence for the Lords of the Marches. Over time, the town flourished as a center of trade, and by the 16th century, it had become an influential cultural hub.

The surrounding area offers excellent walking and cycling routes, particularly in the Shropshire Hills. Ludlow is also known for its festivals, particularly the Ludlow Food Festival and Ludlow Spring Festival, making it a popular destination for foodies and history enthusiasts alike.

For more photographs of Ludlow click here

Shropshire

Shropshire, a county in the West Midlands borders on to Wales in the West and Cheshire in the North. On its Eastern flank Staffordshire, Worcestershire to the South East and Herefordshire on its south side.

There are no cities in Shropshire but there is plenty to see and do. The county includes famous places such as the beautiful town of Shrewsbury with its picturesque streets and historick buildings and Telford a new town in the east. Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Ludlow are in the county of Shropshire and so is Market Drayton. The Ironbridge Gorge is famous for its contribution to world industry and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site extending to Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale.

Shropshire is not densely populated and has some magnificent countryside. The Wrekin, Wenlock Edge and the Clee Hills are all popular with tourists as is most of the county in the summer months. This is a good place to experience the outdoor life and to revel in the joys of unspoiled nature and fresh air.

For more photographs of Shropshire click here

Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury (pronounced both Shroozbury and Shrowzbury) is the county town of the county of Shropshire, England. It lies on the River Severn and is 9 miles east of the Welsh border. The town has a Welsh name too, Amwythig.

Shrewsbury is mainly popularly known as a medieval town, having been founded c.900 and it was during the "late middle ages" (14th/15th Centuries) in which the town was at its height in terms of national importance and wealth. This was mainly due to the wool trade, a major industry at the time, with the rest of Britain and Europe, especially with the River Severn as a trading route.

The town was little affected by the industrial revolution, despite the proximity to Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge, commonly known as the birthplaces of industry.

The most popular and well known recipe for Simnel cake is from Shewsbury. 

For more photographs of Shrewsbury click here



 

Severn Valley Railway

The Severn Valley Railway has done well in its preservation over recent years. Railway enthusiast around the country will recognise the SVR and many people from around the Midlands will have been fortunate enough to take a trip on one of its trains or take part in one of its many events. The Severn Valley Railway operates its trains on full standard guage railway track. The services run every weekend throughout the year and daily during the school holiday periods and designated holiday times. The existing track runs through beautiful countryside and passes over six viaducts.

Passengers can take a train ride from any of the stations along route but a popular choice is the Kidderminster to Bridgnorth route which takes in some 16 miles of countryside and passes through or stops at the stations of Bewdley, Arley, Highley, Hampton Loade and finally Bridgnorth.

Running the Severn Valley Railway requires a certain degree of dedication and volunteers as well as membership and shareholders help to keep the spirit of the railways alive. The track and the signalling has to be maintained and the SVR have their own workshops and an impressive array of rolling stock which consists of some twenty seven steam locomotives, eighteen deisel locomotives, sixty passenger coaches and over one hundred goods wagons of various descriptions. More information about the Severn Valley Railway can be found at www.svr.co.uk

Severn Valley Railway Station, Bewdley, Worcestershire. DY12 1BG. Tel: 01299 403816