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Church Stretton Walks

6.21 miles (10 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This attractive market town is a great place for exploring the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is located close to the lovely Carding Mill Valley and Long Mynd with various long distance trails also running through the area.
The town was nicknamed Little Switzerland in the late Victorian and Edwardian period because of its landscape. The local geology includes some of the oldest rocks in England.
This walk takes starts in the town near to the train station which is on the Welsh Marches line. The route then heads north west along a section of the Jack Mytton Way to Carding Mill Valley.
The delighful National Trust owned area includes pretty streams, mill pools, waterfalls and a small reservoir. The route then climbs up to Lightspot Hollow where you will find a waterfall in a beautiful V-shaped valley lined with bilberry, bracken and heather.
You then head up on to the Long Mynd where you can enjoy fabulous views over the area. This walk then returns to the village via the Jack Mytton Way but you could head south and climb to Pole Bank or head north to explore the Betchcott Hills.
To extend your walking around Church Stretton you could enjoy a climb to Caer Caradoc and enjoy fabulous views over the AONB.
The Shropshire Way long distance trail also runs through the area. Pick up the trail to further explore the Shropshire Hills AONB.

Church Stretton OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Church Stretton Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Church Stretton

  • Caer Caradoc - Climb to the 1500 ft (459 m) summit of this distinctive hill in the Shropshire Hills AONB
  • Long Mynd - This circular walk takes you to Pole Bank, the highest point on the Long Mynd in the Shropshire Hills AONB
  • Carding Mill Valley - Visit a lovely reservoir and waterfall on this short walk in the Shropshire Hills AONB
  • Ragleth Hill - This walk climbs to Ragleth Hill above Church Stretton in the Shropshire Hills
  • Wenlock Edge Circular Walk - This circular walk from Much Wenlock explores the eastern end of the beautiful Wenlock Edge
  • Wenlock Edge - Wenlock Edge runs from Craven Arms to Much Wenlock, in the Shropshire Hills AONB
  • Ashes Hollow - This walk explores Ashes Hollow near the villages of Church Stretton and Little Stretton in the Shropshire Hills.
  • Little Stretton - The village of Little Stretton sits in an enviable position in the Shropshire Hills
  • Ratlinghope - This small Shropshire village is nestled in splendid spot within the Long Mynd and Stiperstones AONB
  • All Stretton - This pretty little Shropshire based village lies just to the north of Church Stretton in the Shropshire Hills AONB.
  • Adstone Hill - This waymarked circular walk climbs to Adstone Hill on the Long Mynd near Ratlinghope in the Shropshire Hills.
  • Wistanstow and Flounders Folly - The Shropshire based village of Wistanstow lies just to the north of Craven Arms in the beautiful Shropshire Hills.
  • Corvedale Three Castles - This circular walk explores the valley of the River Corve around the village of Munslow, Shropshire.

Pubs/Cafes

The Kings Arms on the High Street is a historic pub of some note. It dates back to 1593 and is one of the oldest pubs in the area. It has a cosy interior with original beams and a log burner to warm yourself by on colder days. Outside there's a patio and a pretty garden area if the sun is shining. You can find the old pub on the High Street with a postcode of SY6 6BY for your sat navs. The inn is also dog friendly if you have your canine friend in tow.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

For a longer circular walk in the area you could try the Little Stretton Walk. This starts from the nearby village and visits Ragleth Hill before heading to Church Stretton, the Carding Mill Valley and then up to Pole Bank on the Long Mynd. From Little Stretton there's also the Ashes Hollow Walk which will take you along the Quinny Brook in a stunning V shaped valley.
Wenlock Edge is also near the village and one of the highlights of the area.
The worthy village of Ratlinghope is located just west of the Pole Bank summit. It's a pretty place located on both the River East Onny and the Darnford Brook. You could explore the village, enjoy a waymarked circular climb to Adstone Hill and then head to The Bridges Pub which is in a lovely riverside spot.
Just to the north is the neighbouring village of All Stretton where you can enjoy a climb to the viewpoint on Nover's Hill.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Shropshire Hills Walks page.

Photos

Church Stretton - geograph.org.uk - 522659

Church Stretton

Carding Mill Valley footpaths - geograph.org.uk - 1095405

Carding Mill Valley footpaths

Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 131845

Reservoir

Mimulus grows wild in the centre of the stream - geograph.org.uk - 912362

Light Spout Waterfalls

The Shropshire Way - geograph.org.uk - 1616925

The Shropshire Way

Toposcope and Trig Post - geograph.org.uk - 1013741

Pole Bank Toposcope and Trig Post

Townbrook Valley - geograph.org.uk - 553847

Townbrook Valley

Looking down on Church Stretton - geograph.org.uk - 1043864

Looking down on Church Stretton

GPS Files

GPX File

Church Stretton.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Church Stretton.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)