In the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution at nearby Ironbridge, you’ve got museums aplenty to pick off. Consider Blists Hill Victorian Town, the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Much Wenlock, Enginuity and the Coalport China Museum. Don’t forget to ride the Severn Valley Railway from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster, with vintage first class dining car options.
For those wanting an equestrian or adventure holiday, there are horses, ponies and riding instructors at nearby Country Treks Equestrian in Stottesdon, winner of Horse & Hound’s award for Best Riding School in the UK. On the same estate is Top Adventures offering a thrilling selection of adventure activities and courses, from canoeing to rifle shooting, climbing to laser tag.
Catch the latest flicks at Bridgnorth’s Reel Cinema. Meet the penguins, pandas, lemurs and sea lions at the West Midland Safari and Leisure Park. Ride Nemesis and Wicker Man at Alton Towers. Or visit the National Trust’s Attingham Park to keep mum and dad happy while kids enjoy The Field of Play, a cutting-edge adventure park.
Make farmyard friends at Hoo Farm or check out the wild stallions on top of Long Mynd and the birds of prey at Battlefield Falconry Centre. Or discover dozens of border-country forts and castles, such as Bridgnorth Castle, Powis Castle and Ludlow Castle. Fun fact: PG Wodehouse, creator of fictional Blandings Castle, was raised in Bridgnorth and used to cycle to Dragon Court as a boy.
Brave the world’s fastest zip line at Zip World in North Wales or trampoline underground on massive nets at Bounce Below. Follow the King Arthur Trail. Hire bikes from the Shropshire Hills Mountain Bike Centre and conquer the ‘blue-remembered hills’. Or ride the ultra-steep inland funicular railway up Bridgnorth’s cliffs.
Got a taste for stately homes? Discover Dudmaston Hall, Bridgnorth, Ludlow Castle and Bridgnorth Castle. Hoover up more history at Wenlock Priory, Buildwas Abbey and White Ladies’ Priory. Or potter artisan towns packed with bookshops, good food and antiques at Ironbridge, Bridgnorth, Ludlow and Much Wenlock.
Come in June for the annual Haydn Festival, the Shrewsbury Food Festival, the Royal Three Counties Show in the shadow of the Malverns, and the Ludlow Fridge Festival. Celebrate all things floral at the Shrewsbury Flower Show in August, or sample craft beer and wine at the Shropshire Oktoberfest.
Let us organise clay-pigeon shooting in the medieval woods. Or get out to The Edge Adventure for archery, family adventure, the air-rifle range, climbing wall and junior quads. Ride horses from Country Treks Equestrian, take the chequered flag at Teamworks Go Karting and find top golf courses at Bridgnorth, Ludlow and Long Mynd.
Chill the pace at Ludlow Distillery or St Anne’s Brewery. Hire bikes at the Button Oak Pub. Walk ancient trails at Wenlock Edge and The Cardington Way, stopping for lunch at The Royal Oak. Ride the vintage steam trains on the Severn Valley Railway or escape the everyday with spa treatments at Hawkestone Hall.
