the hotel, plus a sculpture trail and mini-golf. ... the slopes around Caer Caradoc, a fine whale-backed ridge crowned w
EUROPEAN WALKING HOLIDAYS 2017
ENGLAND – SHROPSHIRE HILLS & WELSH BORDERS 8-day / 7-night one-hotel guided walking tour based at Church Stretton
The attractive small town of Church Stretton, friendly and welcoming to walkers, is an ideal base from which to explore the rolling Shropshire Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the Welsh Borders. There are wonderful walks to the Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc and Ragleth Hill direct from Church Stretton, whilst travelling a little further afield enables a wider exploration of this scenic county. After the arrival of the railway the town grew in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and became known as 'Little Switzerland' due to the dramatic hills on both sides of the valley. Today the town retains the charm of a bygone era. A typical centre-based walking holiday offers a choice of up to three guided walks each day. You choose the option which best suits your interests and fitness. There is also a free day mid-week, allowing you to relax, explore independently, or join your tour leaders for a local excursion (paid locally) if there is enough interest. Walking Highlights: Enjoy outstanding walks on the Long Mynd right on the doorstep Choose from a great range of walks in the Shropshire Hills and the Welsh Borders Stay in the attractive small town of Church Stretton in our Country House with extensive public rooms and facilities Cost from:
$1515 per person twin share
Single supplement on request
Departs:
10th, 17th, 24th March, 14th, 28th April, 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th May, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th June, 7th*, 21st July, 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th August, 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th September, 2nd, 13th, 20th, 27th October, 2017 * Selected departures have been set aside especially for Solo Travellers, please ask for more details
Tour includes: 7-nights in comfortable room with ensuite bathroom, full board (breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner) experienced walks leader, guided walks, transport with the walks and social activities in the evenings. Not Included: Transport to/from the house, drinks and any personal expenses. Accommodation: The Long Mynd is set in a wonderful elevated location above Church Stretton, about 10 minutes’ walk from the town, with excellent walks on the doorstep, and extensive public rooms. On the ground floor there is a large dining room and lounge bar, both designed to make maximum use of the outstanding views across the Stretton Valley. All our Country Houses are tailored to walkers and outdoor enthusiasts and have excellent boot and drying rooms and laundry facilities. Free internet access is offered on a dedicated PC and WiFi is available in some public rooms and bedrooms. There is also a range of board games and books. A large heated swimming pool (open May to September) and patio are situated on the lower tier beneath the bar and dining room. The Long Mynd sits in extensive wooded grounds. There are pleasant woodland walks on the slopes beneath the hotel, plus a sculpture trail and mini-golf. The Long Mynd features 50 bedrooms, some with balcony. A limited number of premium rooms are available - with a surcharge – ask for details when booking.
Call OUTDOOR TRAVEL on 1800 331 582 for details or reservations
Our guests: The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. There is normally a good mix of ages, of new guests and 'regulars' of varying nationalities, and of people travelling alone, with a partner or with friends. In the evenings: Your walk leaders will inform you about the choice of walks for the next day and answer any questions you may have. After a sociable evening meal you could join in an organised activity such as a quiz or a talk about the local area, relax in the bar or use the Country House facilities. Suggested itinerary: Each day your guides will offer a choice of one of these guided walking options Easier Walks: Up to 7½ miles (12km) on generally on good tracks and field paths. Up to 1400ft (420m) of ascent in a day. From Church Stretton there are charming walks into different valleys on the flanks of the Long Mynd and also on the slopes around Caer Caradoc, a fine whale-backed ridge crowned with an Iron Age hill fort, and Ragleth Hills. We’ll also explore the countryside around the market towns of Bishops Castle, Craven Arms and scenic Ludlow, or follow the limestone escarpment of Wenlock Edge to Much Wenlock, birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. Medium Walks: Up to 10 miles (16km) and up to 2000ft (600m) of ascent in a day on tracks and field paths, occasionally rough underfoot. There are many fine walks on the Long Mynd and to the summits of Caer Caradoc and Ragleth Hills. We can also enjoy walks along Wenlock Edge, the Stiperstones ridge and the Clee Hills. We also take in parts of the Shropshire Way near the towns of Bishops Castle, Craven Arms and historic Ludlow. Harder Walks: Up to 13 miles (21km) and up to 2700ft (810m) of ascent in a day on tracks, field paths and rugged terrain. The high hills of Shropshire offer some outstanding harder walks. On the doorstep are the Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc, the Lawley, Ragleth and Hope Bowdler Hills. Other summits on our walks include the unusual outcrop of the Stiperstones, Brown Clee, the highest point in Shropshire, and Titterstone Clee Hill. We also get a taste of both the Shropshire Way and Offa’s Dyke, the ancient border between Wales and England. On some days the walks start or finish at the Long Mynd; on other days we use hired transport at the start and/or end of the walks. The cost of all transport to and from the walks is included in the price of your holiday. On your free day, midweek, you may like to visit the attractive market town of Ludlow, easily reached by train from Church Stretton. The historic centre retains many of its medieval buildings and is towered over by its wellpreserved castle. In recent years the town has developed a reputation as a gastronomic centre, being home to celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants and many acclaimed local food producers. Further afield are the many excellent museums of Ironbridge Gorge. Known as the 'birthplace of the Industrial Revolution' it was here that Abraham Darby perfected the manufacture of cast iron which was later used to build the area's iconic iron bridge across the River Severn. Today there are 10 museums in the gorge including the Museum of Iron, the Coleport China Museum and the excellent Blists Hill Victorian town. Or perhaps you prefer take advantage of the swimming pool and the extensive grounds of the Long Mynd. It’s up to you! Outdoor Travel offers other walking holidays guided in small groups or self-guided inn-to-inn are available in many parts of the United Kingdom, Ireland and across Europe including Wainwright’s challenging Coast-toCoast trail, along Hadrian’s Wall built from coast to coast by the Romans creating a border between Scotland and England; walks in the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, Cornwall or in Wales Snowdonia, Ireland’s Ring of Kerry, Provence or the Alps or Pyrenees in France and walks in Austria, Spain or Italy. We also offer long distance pilgrimage trails such as the Way of St James, the Camino de Santiago from Le Puy in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, or the Via Francigena – the pilgrims’ Road to Rome. Contact OUTDOOR TRAVEL for more details, brochures and reservations
Call Outdoor Travel Toll free on 1800 331 582 or (03) 57551743 Fax (03) 57501020 Email
[email protected] Web: http://www.outdoortravel.com.au Mail: Outdoor Travel Pty Ltd, PO Box 286, Bright, VIC 3741, Australia
