Visitors who choose Craven Arms as a destination will find ways to connect with the region’s history and landscape: the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre combines an exhibition with opportunities for geocaching, walking and cycling. The options differ considerably—from a mini trail and paths through the immediate surrounding landscape to routes with named destinations. This lets you plan your trip around the subjects that interest you.
Geocaching and walking trails
The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre’s geocaching offer includes a mini trail and two other trails that lead into the countryside. You can therefore choose between the option explicitly described as a mini trail and two other routes. If you are planning to go geocaching as a group, you can reserve a GPS device before your visit.
There are also different options for walking. The Centre is at a junction of four Shropshire Way routes: to the north, they lead to Church Stretton; to the south, to Ludlow; to the west, to Clun; and to the east, to Much Wenlock. In addition, the Centre provides six specially created leaflets for visitors featuring Discovery Walks. These are designed to explore the immediate surrounding landscape. The four routes lead to named places in different directions, while the leaflets focus on walks in the nearby area.
Cycling routes and regional connections
For cycling, six circular routes start at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. Sustrans Route 44 also runs alongside the Centre and connects it with Bishop’s Castle and Shrewsbury. This highlights two different types of route: circular routes that start at the Centre and a route connecting two named places. When choosing, you can consider whether a circular route or a connection to Bishop’s Castle or Shrewsbury better suits your plans.
An exhibition on the history of the Shropshire Hills
The “Shropshire Hills Through Time” exhibition traces the region’s history from the time of the Condover Mammoth onwards. A panoramic film shows the surrounding hills, towns and rivers. There are also interactive features and games for the whole family. The exhibition thus combines views of the landscape with its historical development and hands-on activities. Visitors interested in the region will find not just a single historical topic here, but also a broader presentation of its landscape and history.
Onny Meadows and regional cuisine
Onny Meadows has a circular trail about 700 metres long. It goes around part of the meadows and follows a firm, generally level, surfaced path. This makes it a clearly defined walking option; it does not go around the entire meadows. An orienteering course is also located at Onny Meadows and has been used for many events.
Food at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre café is freshly prepared on site using ingredients from the region. Together with the exhibition, walking trails and cycling routes, this makes for a visitor experience that combines cultural and active pursuits with a specific dining option.
Discover more destinations: Sutton Maddock, Welshampton, Albrighton, Cardeston, Ellesmere, Myddle, Hinton, Much Wenlock
For the main travel overview: Shropshire.
