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 Church
Stretton
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Church Stretton - an attractive
market town in a long narrow valley in the heart of the Shropshire
Hills.
Church Stretton began as an Anglo-Saxon
settlement near Whatling Street, a Roman road that ran from
Uriconium (Wroxeter) through the Stretton gap to Leintwardine
and on to Gloucester. The town took its name from its
location - the 'tun' (settlement) beside the 'street'.
The first church was built when
the town was owned by the Saxon earls of Mercia. Standing
on the site of the original Saxon church, the present Church
of St Laurence dates mostly from the Norman period.
In 1214 King John granted the
town a Charter to hold a weekly market and this still takes
place each Thursday.
The town has many timber-framed
buildings, erected soon after a fire destroyed the town centre
in 1593.
Although only a small town,
Church Stretton is an attraction place to visit with a variety
of individual shops and many places to eat and drink.
However, Church Stretton's greatest
asset is its hills. The town stands astride the Church
Stretton Fault in an area known as 'Little Switzerland'.
One of the most popular areas
for walking is the dramatic Long Mynd. This is cared
for by the National Trust and the Chalet Pavilion in the Carding
Mill Valley has a NT Information Centre and cafe.
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Map of Church Stretton |
What
To See -
Church Stretton Tourist Attractions
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 Acton
Scott Historic Working Farm,
near Church Stretton, signposted off A49 at Marshbrook, the
farm gives visitors a
facinating insight into traditional rural life. Crops
are raised using old methods and work is carried out using
period farm machinery, by hand or horse-power. Rare breeds
including Longhorn cattle, Tamworth pigs and Shropshire sheep.
Working demonstrations of traditional farming such as milking
by hand and butter making. Each week there are visits from
the farrier, blacksmith and wheelwright. Rakes and gate
hurdles are constructed in the woodsman's hut. Craft
Shop and cafe.Open: 22
Mar-30 Oct 2005, Tue-Sun plus Bank Holidays 10:00-17:00 (closed
Mon except Bank Holidays) Tel: 01694 781306 
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Caer
Caradoc, east of Church
Stretton, conspicuous on the sky-line to the north-east of
Church Stretton, this Iron Age hill fort is impressively sited
over 6 acres on a ridge, and from here here are good local
views. Start walks at Hope Bowdler, near Shropshire's oldest
pub, the Royal Oak.
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Long
Mynd National Trust Chalet Pavilion,Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton a heath-covered ridge
- England's southernmost grouse moor. Across the flat summit
runs the Port Way, a track dating from neolithic times, with
views over the Shropshire and Cheshire plains and the Black
Mountains. Facing Long Mynd across the valley is the smaller
Caer Caradoc. The sides of Long Mynd are incised by a series
of remote narrow valleys, the most accessible of these, Carding
Mill Valley, is owned by the National Trust. At the Chalet
Pavilion there is a NT Information centre, shop and cafe.
Land open all year.Cafe
and shop open daily 21 Mar-30 Oct ( except 8 June), 11:00-17;00;
5 Nov-26 Mar cafe only is open on Sat & Sun, 11:00-16:00
(close dusk if earlier ) Closed on 19–26 Dec. Open daily
27 Dec–1 Jan 2006 (weather dependent), 14–18 Feb 2006 (half
term). Tel: 01694 722631
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Preen
Manor Gardens, Church
Preen, Church Stretton, SY6 7LQ, 7 miles north-east of Church
Stretton, a Cluniac monastery
was established here in 1150, the 6 acre garden has been created amongst the ruined walls of
the monastery and the ruins of a Norman Shaw manor. Features a yew tree, said to be
the oldest in EuropeOpen: Limited
opening as part of National Gardens Scheme see www.ngs.org.uk
Tel:
01694 771207 
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Wilderhope
Manor, Longville,
Much Wenlock, TF13 6EG, 7miles
east of Church Stretton,
off B4371, on the south slope of Wenlock Edge, deep in the remote,
wooded Shropshire countryside. The house was built in around
1586 for Francis and Ellen Smallman who lived there until 1599. The
manor house is typical of many country mansions of its time
but it is exceptional in its unaltered, well-preserved condition.Currently
the Manor is used as a Youth Hostel.Open: 3Apr-28Sept:
Wed & Sun 14:00-16:30; 2Oct-26Mar: Sun 14:00-16:30 Tel:
0870 770 6090 (Hostel Warden) |
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Where
To Stay in Church Stretton
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Wall-Under-Heywood near Church Stretton
In the heart of south Shropshire, this very comfortable cottage enjoys countryside views and a peaceful village setting just 3 miles from Church Stretton's shops and restaurants, golf and cycle hire. Tastefully and thoughtfully converted from a farm… Sleeps 4 + cot
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Hope Bowdler Church Stretton
Beautifully converted from a traditional barn, this beamed cottage is one of two standing on a smallholding on the edge of the Shropshire Hills in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Visitors enjoy shared use of the 44 acre grounds and there are two… Sleeps 4
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Ratlinghope Near Church Stretton Shrewsbury SY5 0SX
Off the beaten track. Idyllic peaceful retreat. Recently converted byre finished to a high standard yet retaining character, with oak beams, exposed stone, cosy log burning stove, hand crafted oak and elm furniture and fittings. Fitted ... Sleeps 5
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Around
The Church Stretton Area
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Tourist Information on Nearby Towns To Visit - straight line distance:
Craven Arms (6.89 miles) Bishops Castle (8.68 miles) Much Wenlock (11.11 miles) Shrewsbury (11.93 miles) Clun (12.39 miles) Ludlow (12.40 miles) Broseley (14.57 miles) Ironbridge (14.81 miles) Telford (17.76 miles) Tenbury Wells (18.51 miles) |
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Tourist
Information Office
Church Street
Church Stretton
SY6 6DQ
Tel: 01694 723133 |
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Our
Hotel Booking Line
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Call
0870 4786316
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