Family-Friendly Walking Trails in Shropshire
Shropshire provides the ideal outdoor experience, offering National Trails, Country Parks and several countryside heritage sites to discover. Explore family-friendly walking trails featuring woodland adventure playgrounds such as Dudmaston’s Dudmaston Wood.
Bordering Wales, this rural county offers a relaxing getaway for many. Take your pet for an enjoyable walk along this scenic route around those “blue remembered hills”.
1. Wyre Forest
Wyre Forest, England’s largest expanse of native woodland, provides an engaging natural playground for both kids and adults. Its main visitor centre serves as the hub for wooded walks, running trails, gentle cycling and horseback riding – not to mention treetop ropes courses – two miles west of Bewdley and also offers treetop ropes courses! In addition to being home to 34 of England’s 59 butterfly species including white admiral, dainty wood white and pearl-bordered blue butterflies; it boasts 34 of England’s key wildlife habitats as it acts as host for 34 of England National Nature Reserve’s National Naturalised Reserve!
Since 900AD (see Domesday Book for more details), this forest has been wooded over. Today it features mature oak woodland as well as more recently planted pinewood and sycamore plantations – with highlights including open landscapes of Long Mynd and Carding Mill valley’s 4-metre cascade at Lightspout Waterfall.
Experience Wyre Forest during winter and it becomes an extraordinary place. The woods are quiet and trees covered with frost – an unmissable experience for families!
There are also plenty of trails to try, from simple strolls along the Welsh border to more strenuous hikes on the Long Mynd. Or discover ancient woodland at Dudmaston through an enjoyable circular walk.
Rock, Arley and Chaddesley Corbett offer charming village pubs while the Wyre Forest Inn near Dudmaston provides family-friendly options with its outdoor play area for children and delicious food.
Battlefield Bird of Prey Centre offers older children an unforgettable day trip. By purchasing an entry voucher, visitors can explore its sanctuary of birds as well as taking part in mini bird handling sessions and participating in mini bird walks. Furthermore, more extravagant experiences such as hawk walks and flying one of its hawks, eagles or falcons may also be offered at additional costs.
2. Titterstone Clee Hill
Abdon and Clee Burfs provide a fascinating off-path hike, revealing some of Shropshire’s lesser-known delights such as Iron Age forts and hidden hamlets as well as remnants of mining and quarrying that indicate when these hills were more active and bustling with activity.
Moorlands scattered with bell pits and disused quarries offer tranquil surroundings today; yet it’s easy to imagine their former industrial past. Also visible from these hills are Nordy Bank, an impressive Iron Age fort whose ramparts were used by its commander to monitor air traffic control systems as well as weather conditions on clear days – its peak, topped by two radomes crowned by two radomes, could be found all the way east into Russia’s Urals; hence their local name ‘Kremlin Hills’ which feature in A.E. Housman poems from Clee to Heaven the beacon burns.
Titterstone Clee Hill stands at 533 metres (1,749 feet), making it one of the three highest hills in Shropshire and England’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Furthermore, Titterstone Clee Hill has also been designated a Marilyn peak by the British Mountaineering Club – meaning that it exhibits enough interest to be classified as a mountain peak.
At its rocky summit, this is an excellent location for walking. There’s a cairn, trig point, radar dome and remnants of an Iron Age hillfort on top.
On a clear day, it’s possible to view across several counties – and into Wales. HiiKER navigation tools may come in handy while exploring lesser-known parts of Shropshire.
Hillwalking in Shropshire guidebook features 32 walking routes suitable for families. Visit The Wrekin, Wenlock Edge and Long Mynd on an adventure of all difficulties; get 20% off with code SHROPSHIRE at checkout!
3. Stiperstones
The Stiperstones stretch south from Habberley, and are interwoven by hiking trails. For breathtaking views of these hills – featuring trig points and one of Shropshire’s oldest hill forts – head towards Manstone Rock. Here, hikers will have ample opportunity to spot wildlife – particularly as this trail is one of the more dog-friendly ones! Just make sure your four-legged friend stays under control as this area serves as a grazing area!
The Stiperstones Ridge is an impressive landscape dominated by outcrops of quartzite rock along its spine, featuring dramatic outcrops of quartzite rock that give this landscape its unique character and appeal. A stroll through here will reveal a history-rich environment including Bronze Age burial cairns and tales about Saxon warlord Wild Edric, Roman lead miners and witches; its hills also host Red Grouse; while late summer brings with it blooming bilberry moorland blooming with various insects to attract an abundance of insects to this rich ecosystem!
Shropshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves are located near the Stiperstones and make an excellent addition to any hike through their ridge. Hollies nature reserve is home to over 400-year old gnarled holly trees; Brook Vessons features a pond where you may spot froglets and newts during spring. Finally, Snailbeach Community Centre car park (south of Snailbeach village) serves as an ideal parking option with cafe service nearby – providing another ideal start/end point on any hike around these majestic mountains!
Church Stretton provides an idyllic base for exploring the hills, with plenty of shops and eateries as well as gear rental services available here. A shuttle bus runs during summer to help explore easily, while The Bog Centre serves as an informative hub that shares knowledge about its surroundings and history.
Explore the stunning landscape that inspired 18th-century landscape designer Humphry Repton with this short and family-friendly stroll from Moseley Old Hall, taking in deer park, woodland and expansive views of Northycote Country Park. Alternatively, stroll through wooded Carding Mill Valley Valley for more relaxed strolls through historic Dudmaston Estate.
4. Offa’s Dyke Path
Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail is an iconic footpath known for its breathtaking natural beauty and historic significance, stretching 285 kilometres between Prestatyn in Wales and Chepstow, crossing both countries along their former boundaries.
Offa’s Dyke Trail was established in 1971 and runs along or close to what remains of King Offa of Mercia’s earthwork built during the 8th century, known as Offa’s Dyke, which is considered one of the largest ancient monuments in Britain. As you follow its course along this trail you will come upon numerous historical structures like abbey ruins and medieval castles as well as beautiful landscapes like wild moorlands and ancient woodlands as well as incredible ridgetop views.
Walking the Offa’s Dyke Path can be an immensely satisfying challenge for hikers who relish a challenge. Doing it requires physical fitness and endurance; with proper preparation and planning you can complete this trek in 12 days with no problem! To maximize the benefits of this trek it is recommended that hikers begin from the south and end it in the north so as to take full advantage of all the various towns along its route – such as Monmouth, Kington Knighton Llangollen Bodfari!
When visiting Offa’s Dyke Path, it is recommended to book accommodation ahead of time due to its remoteness and limited public transport services. There is a bus stop located near Sedbury Cliffs; however it may be hard to catch one on time!
Hiking Offa’s Dyke Path can be quite a difficult experience for dogs. Therefore, it is advisable to bring along a leash for them and maintain short leashes when passing livestock; otherwise, working around animals won’t prevent you from enjoying this beautiful trail with your pet!
