The Walkmill Luxury Self-Catering Cottages in Norbury, Shropshire.

An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

A Protected Landscape
It’s 50 years since the Shropshire Hills were designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are 40 AONBs in England and Wales and along with National Parks they make up our finest landscapes. The primary purpose of the designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape. To learn more visit www.anob.org.uk.

The Cardingmill Valley and the Long Mynd
The Long Mynd (Welsh for Long Mountain) is, as its name suggests, a long hill that forms a major part of the South Shropshire Hills. It is essentially a moorland plateau, approximately 10 miles long in a north-south direction, and approximately 4 miles across at its widest point. Although from a distance the top of Long Mynd appears to be relatively flat, large valleys, such as Carding Mill Valley, eat into the edges like deep folds.

Once managed as a grouse moor, today the Long Mynd is owned and maintained by the National Trust. Many local people have rights to graze sheep there.

The highest point on Long Mynd is at Pole Bank - 516 metres, or just less than 1700 feet. On a clear day the views from Long Mynd are spectacular.

An old trackway, the Port Way, runs along the length of the ridge. Much of the top of the Long Mynd is covered in heather, but it also possible to find wild bilberries (known locally as whinberries).

Along the western edge of the Long Mynd, above the village of Asterton, is a popular centre for gliding and hang-gliding. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.

The Stiperstones
The Stiperstones is a very distinctive hill in the county of Shropshire, England. It is a quartzite ridge formed some 480 Million years ago. During the last Ice Age the summit stood out above the glaciers and was subject to constant freezing and thawing which shattered the quartzite into a mass of jumbled scree surrounding several residual rocky tors. At 536 metres above sea level it is the second highest hill in the county, surpassed only by Brown Clee Hill (540 m). Stiperstones five-mile (8 km) long summit ridge is crowned by several rugged, jagged outcrops of rock silouetted against the sky. The Stiperstones is a National Nature Reserve and in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is a haven for wildlife, with birds that are normally associated with upland areas present, including Red Grouse, Eurasian Curlew, Peregrine Falcon and the rare Ring Ouzel.

Wales
The cottages are located less than 8 miles from the Welsh border for more information visit www.visitwales.co.uk

Local Activities

Golf
Church Stretton Golf Club in Shropshire enjoys magnificent scenery, with Caer Caradoc and The Lawley to the east across the Stretton valley, The Wrekin in the distance and The Longmynd to the west.

Never on temporary greens, nor playing from tee mats makes Church Stretton a great Shropshire golf course to play in the spring, autumn or winter. In the summer the views come alive and you can see as far as The Hawkstone Ridge in the north of Shropshire and as far south as Herefordshire. You can walk on springy, well-drained turf and play golf in completely natural surroundings. You may even have the company of buzzards and red kites. Visit www.churchstrettongolfclub.co.uk to learn more.

Shrewsbury Golf Club (Condover). The pleasant undulating parkland setting offers members and visitors an 18 hole golf course and a large practice area and is situated in magnificent Shropshire countryside with fine views of the Stretton Hills and the Long Mynd to the south and Wenlock Edge to the east. Visit www.shrewsburygolfclub.co.uk

Ludlow Golf Club was founded in 1889 and the course retains many of its original features with much of the course comparatively unchanged from that of 1889. We are the oldest course in the county union of Shropshire and Herefordshire. Visitors are very welcome to play our course, which is fairly flat and easy on the body. For further information visit http://www.ludlowgolfclub.com/pages.php/index.html

Walking
South Shropshire is perfect for walkers offering routes to suit all levels of ability. There are a several excellent walks that start and finish at the cottages and over twenty walks which are within a 10 mile drive. Visit www.shropshirewalking.co.uk to learn more. The cottages have drying facilities for walking apparel.

Cycling
Shropshire is a cyclist’s paradise. Cycling is one of the best ways to soak up the unspoilt landscapes along quiet lanes and country roads. There is something for all, from the novice pedal pusher to the experienced cyclist. Visit www.shropshirecycling.co.uk. The cottages have drying facilities for cycling apparel and offer secure storage for bicycles.

Star Gazing
With all the lights off and a clear night the stars over the cottages are an amazing site and if you watch for long enough you are almost certain to see a shooting star. This is a perfect way to end a perfect day.

Horse Riding www.walcotstables.co.uk
Walcot Stables, Lower Gardens, Lydbury North, Shropshire, SY7 8AS. Tel: 01588 680 514
Walcot Stables is situated in the stunning countryside of South Shropshire and offers lessons for all ages in a safe and picturesque environment. They offer hacks around the beautiful Walcot Estate and surrounding hills. Pony mornings are arranged during school holidays. They are also a registered Pony Club centre and offer Pony Club days throughout the holidays.

Fishing
Onny Vale is set in the peaceful hills of Mid Shropshire and Powys border. There are five lakes/pools. Three pools are for Trout, Fly Fishing only and the other two are for coarse fishing. For further information visit www.onnyvale.com.

Gliding www.longmynd.com
The Midlands Gliding Club based on the Long Mynd is one of the oldest gliding clubs in the UK with all year round operation, seven days a week March to November and offers wave, thermal and ridge soaring for novice and accomplished pilots. They run glider pilot training courses throughout the summer and welcome visiting expeditions.

Local Churches
There are two beautiful churches within walking distance from The Walkmill one in Wentnor and one in Norbury. For further information please contact Rev Norman Morris on 01588 650244.

For further information about activities in Shropshire, visit www.shropshiretourism.co.uk

Eating Out

Within walking distances

The Inn on Green
With less than a 5 minute walk this is a regular haunt for Gilly and Brian who can often be found eating in the Inn On The Green on a Friday night. The Inn on the Green is a family run pub with a comfortable homely atmosphere especially in the lounge and dining room. The bar has a pool table and dart board and in winter has a log burning stove to supplement the central heating. The lounge has an open fire ideal for customers to sit by and enjoy a relaxing drink. The pub offers a full menu and bar snacks and a carvery on Sunday’s.

The Crown
Another favourite with Gilly and Brian but only when they’re feeling more energetic as The Crown is a fifteen minute walk (with a steep hill!) but when you do arrive you are assured of a warm welcome at this traditional 16th century family run country inn, with its beams, horse brasses and log fires. The Crown Inn offers real ales and home cooking to a good standard. Meals are served in the bar area or in a separate restaurant. The choices change daily from traditional homemade dishes to a full A-la-Carte menu with homemade sweets to finish.

The Horseshoe Inn At The Bridges
We have listed this as walking distance but be mindful it is 3 miles from the cottages!

Set amid some of the finest countryside in Shropshire and with several paths leading virtually to its front door - The Horseshoe Inn is the perfect place for a post-walk pint. Stroll through the beer garden areas or visit the Stiperstones just down the road. As well as some fantastic views, there’s also natural history interests with red kites, wild flowers and animals. The Horseshoe’s is renowned for its good food and its live music. Vist www.horseshoeinnbridges.co.uk to find out who is playing.

Further afield – Bishop’s Castle
All of the restaurants below are all within a ten minutes drive of the cottages.

The Three Tuns (01588) 638797
Salop Street, Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire, SY9 5B
This famous and historic pub and brewery has been the “beating heart” of Bishop’s Castle since 1642. Recently refurbished and enlarged, it still maintains the spirit of the original pub - public bar, snug bar, lounge bar - but with the addition of a classy oak framed, glass sided dining room. Serving a modern, eclectic menu using locally sourced, fresh ingredients.

The Castle Hotel (01588) 638403
The Square, Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire, SY9 5BN
An 18th century coaching inn with open fires serving traditional seasonal food prepared and cooked on the premises using local ingredients whenever possible plus daily specials on the blackboard and genuine homemade puddings.

Ganges, Indian Restaurant (01588) 638543
12 Market Square, Bishop’s Castle. SY9 5BN
Good local Indian restaurant and takeaway.

Ludlow
A 25 minute drive away but worth the journey for the fabulous array of excellent restaurants including the two high-end choices.

Mr Underhill’sa Michelin starred restaurant next to Dinham Bridge
La Becasse a wonderful restaurant in the heart of medieval Ludlow.

Shrewsbury
A 30 minute drive away but worth the journey to visit one of the UK’s finest medieval towns. There are many fabulous eating places in Shrewsbury – too many to recommend – Gilly and Brian’s favourite is Drapers Hall Restaurant.

For further information about food & drink in Shropshire, visit www.shropshirefoodanddrink.com