Rural Shropshire is just the ticket if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of a busy lifestyle, and tune back into natural surroundings. From an invigorating hike along the Shropshire Hills to a chilled out afternoon by the lake, there is plenty on offer to get a flavour of the local area.
Eating and drinking nearby
There’s no shortage of great places to find some refreshment near to our site — in fact, a quick walk over the fields on footpaths will take you straight to The Combermere Arms at Burleydam, or the opposite direction leads to the White Lion at Ash Magna, no car necessary.
The Combermere Arms is a 16th century, classic Cheshire country inn full of character, serving fresh food and local cask ales all year round. Enjoy dining alfresco on the lavender lined terrace over the summer, or cosy up to an open fire inside during the colder months.
Explore the local area and work up an appetite with The Burleydam Walk - a 3.1 mile loop trail through the surrounding countryside and farming landscape. Then deservedly tuck into quality British cuisine, complimented by exotic influences from other parts of the world.
Heading into Whitchurch gives you plenty of options for a good meal. The jewel in the crown must be Docket No.33, which receives a mention in the Michelin Guide for its ever-changing menu of hand-picked local ingredients. Another local restaurant that prides itself on fresh ingredients and a relaxing atmosphere is Etzío, which pairs great cooking with Italian hospitality. Spice fans might want to opt for Indian food at the Spice Heaven and Blue Water restaurants. Swallow , Wanloy and New Golden Chef are chinese restaurants found in Whitchurch.
The Black Bear is a charming, family owned pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all. The recent refurbishment has transformed the outdoor space into a wonderful courtyard garden where you can indulge in delicious food and drinks.
If you time it right you can visit Whitchurch Food and Drink Festival, where delicious local food and drink are combined with live music and even a chance for kids to brush up on their kitchen skills.
We’re blessed with a fine selection of coffee shops and cafés in Whitchurch too, so you’re never too far away from a chance to sit down and refuel. Just one and a half miles away is The Old Piggery Cafe at Combermere
Visit our local family run, award winning craft gin distillery - Three Wrens Gin. A variety of tours and experiences are on offer here
Whitchurch
The town of Whitchurch is just 3 miles away from our site, which makes it handy for any last-minute essentials or to pop to the shops to pick up supplies. A historic market town, the Old Eagles pub has been in Market Street since 1868, but the building itself dates all the way back to the 14th century. In fact, Whitchurch is the oldest continually inhabited town in Shropshire, established by the Romans around 70 AD.
Today, it retains its individual character on historic streets like High Street and Mill Street, where you’ll find unique shops that are well worth a browse. A walk along the canal makes the most of the peaceful surroundings, leading to the historic staircase locks at Grindley Brook where a lovely cafe can be found.
Alderford Lake
Getting back to nature is what a Wigwam Holiday is all about, so we think you’ll just love chilling out beside the water at Alderford Lake, just a couple of miles from our site. This lovely 14-acre lake is open year round for you to immerse yourself in a spot of wild swimming and stand-up paddleboarding. You can hire paddle boards and canoes, get a lesson from an instructor, or simply bring your own craft along to get on the water and tune out from everyday life. Kids will love the Aquapark inflatable as well.
Off the water there’s still plenty to do, whether you simply want to enjoy a relaxing walk around the lake, or to get stuck into the Saturday morning Park Run. There are even triathlons held there throughout the year if you’re competitively minded! Find out more about the range of events here. Outside of events, there are miles of paths through the woods to explore, but make sure you don’t get lost in the maize maze... If you work up a hunger, visit the Lakeside Kitchen or farm shop to fuel you up for an afternoon of fun.
Family fun at BeWILDerwood
A day at BeWILDerwood involves getting outdoors, making memories and playing together! Prepare to be transported into a magical forest as you listen to the enchanting tales from author and creator, Tom Blofeld. Explore the topsy turvy treehouses and let your imagination run wild as you swing to the stars on giant swings! From whizzing down super slides to zipping along wires, to creative crafts, there is no shortage of wild activities to try in this wonderful world.
Hawkstone Park Follies
The magical world of Hawkstone Park Follies consists of dramatic, natural sandstone hills that have evolved to include gullies, caves, towers and bridges. Set in 100 acres of Parkland, with over 100 species of birds recorded, the area is equipped to host an abundance of wildlife. A range of habitats await exploration from the native woodland thick with oak, beech and silver birch to the towering sandstone cliffs. Admire the various specimens of trees and plants from all over the world planted along Terrace Hill.
Historic houses and castles
As a border county, Shropshire has more than its fair share of castles and country houses for you to visit and enjoy. Just south of the Shropshire Hills and an hour's drive away, Ludlow Castle became a royal palace in 1461, and today its ruins are a magnificent monument. Closer by, Whittington Castle with its Castle Tearoom is a great stopping-off point if you find yourself nearby, while a visit to the hidden gardens of Oteley can be combined with the local market on certain days of the year — check before you go.
Historic Beeston Castle is 15 miles away, sitting on a sandstone cragg 350 feet above the Cheshire plain. Bolesworth Castle, again 12 miles away hosts Car Fest North, concerts and equestrian events
Cholmondeley Castle and gardens should be on any family’s list of places to visit, with a gorgeous lakeside walk through the stately gardens, a café and farm shop, and kids’ activities in the den. The grounds even have their own pub, the Cholmondeley Arms. For visitors young and old it’s a great way to spend a day outdoors with some added comforts nearby. If you’d prefer some simple reflective time among vibrant flower beds and glittering pools you might like to drop by Hodnet Hall Gardens, where you’ll find all the peace and tranquility you need to unwind surrounded by nature.
Explore the Long Mynd
The Long Mynd is a windswept moorland plateau that forms part of the Shropshire Hills in the south of the county. Part of it is owned and managed by the National Trust, and on a bright day it’s a spectacular way to gaze down on the Welsh Marches from above — you might even find you have company in the form of a red kite. Historically, it’s been designated as Common Land for hundreds of years, and farmers (or commoners) have grazed livestock here collectively, without fencing to restrict where the animals can go. It’s a unique area, and one that has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as well as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) It is famed for the rich plant, animal and insect life that the traditional methods protect, and one that attracts lovers of the outdoors.
As well as a maze of ancient trackways to follow across the moors, the area has long been a classic spot for mountain biking, as long as you don’t mind a bit of climbing. For a less strenuous approach to the hills, there is also a shuttle bus service between Stiperstones and Church Stretton, so you can get dropped off or picked up right where you need to to get the most from your day.
Delve into our industrial heritage
The Industrial Revolution — which began in Britain in the late 1700s and marks one of the most important turning points in human history — has its beating heart in one of Shopshire’s most famous attractions. The bridge at Ironbridge Gorge was the world’s first to be made from (you guessed it) iron, and from those beginnings it became the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution itself. Today, Ironbridge is a World Heritage site and a fascinating place to visit. As well as museums showcasing the site’s historic past, you can take a step back in time by visiting the recreated Victorian town at Blists Hill. Just remember to bring your shillings and pence...
Over in Oswestry, the Welshpool Light Railway allows you to enjoy a welcome change of pace and to see the countryside in style, pulled along by a restored steam engine. You may well have worked up an appetite beforehand, so keep an eye out for the special Fish and Chip trains!
Across the Welsh border in Llangollen, the Llangollen Canal offers one unusual way to soak in a moment’s peace and tranquility by taking a horse-drawn trip in one of the canal’s narrowboats, or a motorboat trip across the Pontcysyllte aqueduct. A trip on the water is a surefire to leave your worries behind and soak in a slower pace of life: just the ticket while you enjoy your glamping trip in Shropshire.
Walk the historic trails of the Welsh Marches
Shropshire and the Welsh border country are steeped in history, and the best way to discover the rich tapestry of people that have called this area home is by taking a stroll back in time on one of the historic long-distance trails that criss-cross the hills and valleys nearby. The Sandstone Trail runs for 34 miles from the shore of the Mersey estuary all the way to Whitchurch, following the sandstone ridge that gives it its name. It allows for sweeping views over the surrounding countryside, passing ancient castles, churches and pre-Roman hill forts along the way.
Heading south, the Shropshire Way also has its terminus in Whitchurch as it heads south through the hill country, making a 200 mile loop if you tackle the whole thing. That might not be necessary to enjoy the rich scenery or an energising walk, but whether you stop over for a night or base yourself here for an exploration of parts of the trail you’ll be glad for a cosy cabin in which to put your feet up at the end of the day.
Of course, Wales is just 3 miles away to our west, and the historic struggles over the lawless borderlands have always made for rich historical pickings. The modern day border still roughly follows the line of this huge earthwork of Offa’s Dyke, and it remains today as a symbol of just how long the Welsh and the English have been arguing about where one ends and the other begins. Legend has it that King Offa ordered its construction around 800 AD to protect his kingdom from Welsh raiders, and today the Offa’s Dyke Path offers a way to explore the quiet Welsh Marches (as the border is known).
