26 miles of much wenlock marathon trailsmuch wenlo ck wenlock... · 26 miles of much wenlock home...

Rural and heritage sites within 26 miles of Much Wenlock

HOME OF THE WENLOCK OLYMPIAN GAMES

With the 2012 London Games, the modern Olympicshave ‘come home’ - because it’s here in England thatthe movement began. Not in the capital, but in asmall market town in the heart of rural Shropshire.

Back in 1850, Much Wenlock doctor andphilanthropist William Penny Brookes had an inspiredidea, designed to promote healthy living to localpeople. His crusading Wenlock Olympian Society

inaugurated an annual Games event which led directly -thanks to Brookes’ drive and vision - to the rebirth of the

Olympics at its classic home in Athens, in 1896.

Back home in Much Wenlock, the Wenlock OlympianSociety has carried on the good doctor’s work, and the town’sannual games are a unique attraction to this day.

MUCH WENLOCKMARATHON TRAILS

Take a run out by bike or cararound Much Wenlock –

home of the modernOlympian games - andwithin the marathondistance of 26 milesyou’ll find an incrediblevariety of fascinatingplaces to discover and

fun things to do!

Each of our four MarathonTrails introduces you to a special

selection of sites and attractions.We’ve focused on the unusual and the less

well-known, and there are four themed trails: Rural &Heritage, Activities, Food & Drink and Family Friendly.

There are some wonderful days out waiting for youwithin just 26 miles of Much Wenlock - so why notget out there and explore? Enjoy!

All 4 trails leaflets are available to download as PDFsat www.shropshiretourism.co.uk

ABOUT THEMARATHON TRAILS

THE MUCH WENLOCKOLYMPIAN CONNECTION

RURAL &HERITAGE

HOME OF THE WENLOCK OLYMPIAN GAMES

3 DANIELSMILLShropshire’s lasttraditional workingwater mill grinding corninto flour. Just one mile south ofBridgnorth, the mill sits beneaththe imposing Oldbury Viaduct overwhich steam trains run along the Severn ValleyRailway.As well as live milling demonstrations, visitors can see the largestcast iron water wheel powering a mill in England turn, and get apersonal guided tour from the miller, whose family have operated itfor centuries. Visitors are offered a fascinating glimpse into the mill’s long socialheritage, its links to Ironbridge, the work done to keep it going, and canstroll around its pools and woodland.OPENING DATES/TIMES: Easter to the end of October. Daily 11amto 4pm

ADDRESS: Knowle Sands, Eardington, Bridgnorth WV16 5JL

TELEPHONE: 01746 762753

E-MAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.danielsmill.co.uk

4 DAVID AUSTIN’SPLANT CENTRE AND

ROSE GARDENS David Austin has createdwhat many consider to beone of the most beautifulfragrant rose gardens inthe world. The gardensare open to the public allyear round, free of charge.Alongside the gardens is

the Plant Centre, whichoffers one of the largest

collections of container roses tobe found anywhere in the country,

together with companion plants,trees and shrubs. A visit would not be

complete without sampling the delicious menuin the Tea Room or browsing a wide range of outdoor and interiorlifestyle gifts in the Garden Gift Shop. Experienced and friendlymembers of staff are always on hand to advise you during your visit. OPENING DATES/TIMES: 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week. Closed fromChristmas to New Year. Groups are welcome by prior arrangement.

ADDRESS: Bowling Green Lane, Albrighton WV7 3HB

TELEPHONE: 01902 376334


WEBSITE: www.davidaustinroses.com

5 DISCOVER SHROPSHIREWe offer a full range of tours which can be tailored specifically for you

and your party. These include: Escorted tourswith experienced tour managers; ourfamous Shrewsbury Ghost Tours;town tours with guides; familyhistory and research tours;specialist tours e.g. Olympianconnections and CharlesDarwin. Benefit from ourlocal knowledge andpersonal contacts acrossthe county for travelarticle writing, sourcinglocations fordocumentary TV andfeature films or findingbackground artists. We canalso organise venues forspecial celebrations and giveyou information and adviceabout visitor attractions, events,activities, accommodation andrefreshment stops.OPENING DATES/TIMES: Tours arranged all year round.

TELEPHONE: 01743 270206 or 07971 515314


WEBSITE: www.discovershropshire.com

6 THE DOWERHOUSE GARDEN

The Dower House Gardenaims to tell the history ofMorville Hall and thehistory of English gardeningfrom medieval times to thepresent day. It consists of asequence of separategardens designed in thestyle of different historical

periods, each garden linkedto a particular individual living

in the house at a particularmoment in history. The garden

was designed by Dr Katherine Swift(who still lives and gardens there) and is

the backdrop to her series of best-sellingbooks The Morville House, The Morville Year and the forthcomingA Rose for Morville.OPENING DATES/TIMES: 1st April - 30th September Sundays,Wednesdays and Bank Holiday Mondays, 2pm - 6pm

ADDRESS: Morville Hall, Morville, Bridgnorth WV16 5NB

TELEPHONE: 01746 714407


WEBSITE: www.shropshiretourism.co.uk

1 THE BOGVISITOR CENTRE Unique visitor centre setin beautiful countrysidewith a warm welcome,homemade refreshments,local crafts and displayson the rich geologicaland wildlife importance ofthe area as well as itsfascinating mining history.Ideal starting point forwalkers with stunning viewsacross Shropshire and the Welshborderland from the adjacentStiperstones ridge, featuring the Devil’s Chair,in a national nature reserve. Free and ample parking. Full disabilityaccess and facilities.OPENING DATES/TIMES: April to end of October. 10am - 5pmWednesday - Sunday (4pm in October) but every day during schoolholidays and Bank Holidays.

ADDRESS: The Bog, Stiperstones SY5 0NG

TELEPHONE: 01743 792484 (during openinghours) or 01743 791580


WEBSITE: www.bogcentre.co.uk

2 BROSELEYPIPEWORKSThis abandoned factory was oncehome to one of the most prolificclay tobacco pipe makers in Britain,exporting all over the world.

Production came to an end in the1950s but it remains as though the

workforce left just minutes before youarrived. Here you’ll see wonderful

examples of Broseley clay pipes as well as theunusual tools that were used to make them.

OPENING DATES/TIMES: Daily 1pm - 5pm fromlate May - late September.

ADDRESS: Duke Street, Broseley TF12 5LX

TELEPHONE: 01952 433 424


WEBSITE: www.ironbridge.org.uk

MARATHON TRAILSDIRECTORY

7 LUDLOW CASTLELudlow Castle, the heart of oneof England’s finest medievalmarket towns, dates from 1086and throughout the centuries hasplayed a very important role inEnglish history; a Marcher

(Border) Castle, a Royal Palace,headquarters for the administrative

Council of the Marches. Today this“romantic ruin”, now home to

Ludlow’s major festivals each year, is ahighlight for all visitors to Shropshire

offering the opportunity to soak in theatmosphere of bygone times and spend a wonderful

day wandering through the many medieval lanes and finding all ourbeautiful town’s hidden gems.OPENING DATES/TIMES: Open all year round. See website foropening times.

ADDRESS: Castle Square, Ludlow SY8 1AY

TELEPHONE: 01584 874465 /873355


WEBSITE: www.ludlowcastle.com

8 MYTHSTORIESMUSEUM OF MYTHAND FABLEExplore the hands-on artefactsthat help tell stories from aroundthe world and hear a story from ourstoryteller-in-residence.OPENING DATES/TIMES: We have a versatile opening policy - please see our website for opendays which vary each week.

ADDRESS: The Morgan Library, Aston Street, Wem SY4 5AU

TELEPHONE: 01939 233550 / 07969 541 552


WEBSITE: www.mythstories.com

9 SHIPTON HALLShipton Hall is a family home

and was built around 1587with Georgian extensions

added in 1766. Thehouse has beendescribed as “anexquisite specimenof Elizabethanarchitecture set in aquaint oldfashioned garden.”Inside there is some

elegant rococo plasterwork and Elizabethan and Jacobean panelling.Outside, visitors can walk around the gardens, medieval dovecote,and parish church which dates back to Saxon times.OPENING DATES/TIMES: Easter to end of September. Thursday2:30pm - 5:30pm. Sundays and Mondays of Bank Holidays 2:30pm -5:30pm. Last admission 5pm. Groups of 20 + at any time of day oryear by prior appointment.

ADDRESS: Much Wenlock TF13 6JZ. On theB4378, just past the B4368 junction.

TELEPHONE: 01746 785 225


10 SHROPSHIRELAVENDERScented lavender fields, severaldifferent varieties planted for colourand scent. Lavender garden with afurther 30 varieties. Shop selling our ownessential oil, handmade soaps, bath andbeauty products and lavender gifts, a selectionof lavender plants and homemade teas featuringsome of our lavender specialities.OPENING DATES/TIMES: End June - Mid August. 12 noon - 5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

ADDRESS: Wellbank Farm, Pickstock, Newport TF10 8AH

TELEPHONE: 01952 550303


WEBSITE: www.shropshirelavender.co.uk

11 SNAILBEACH MINE Snailbeach Mine is a long disusedlead mine having a collection ofbuildings of national importance.The site is completely open andcan be visited at any time andwith our leaflets it is possible tofollow a mine trail. Groupguided tours can be arranged at

any convenient time. These lastup to two and a half hours and

include an underground experienceto see where mining took place. We

also hold a Heritage Weekend inSeptember when various buildings are

opened and underground tours are available.OPENING DATES/TIMES: Site open to the public at all times. Visitorcentre open 11am – about 4pm Sundays and Bank Holidays, Easter toOctober, when underground trips are available.

ADDRESS: Snailbeach, Nr Minsterley SY5 0NS

TELEPHONE: 01743 790613


WEBSITE: www.snailbeachmine.org.uk

12 STOKESAYCOURT Pre-booked tours, with teaand home baking, of late19th Century Victorianindustrialist’s mansionhouse and gardens.Uniquely unalteredVictorian interiors.More recently primarylocation and setting ofthe Tallis family homein the film“Atonement”. Coachparties welcome. Houseand grounds can also behired for events. OPENING DATES/TIMES:Advertised tour dates for individualbookings. Groups by arrangement -minimum number 20.

ADDRESS: Onibury, Craven Arms SY7 9BD

TELEPHONE: 01584 856238


WEBSITE: www.stokesaycourt.com

13WOLLERTONOLD HALLGARDENWollerton Old HallGarden is one of onlytwo gardens inShropshire which has

the highest grade in theGood Gardens Guide

(the other 2-star gardenis the nearby Hodnet Hall).

The garden at Wollerton isformal in layout. Walls, hedges

and vistas create some 14 separategardens each with its own character,

planting scheme and even micro-climate. These separate gardens areintensively planted with perennials. There are significant collectionsof salvias, clematis and phlox. The big event this year is the namingof a rose after the garden by David Austin.OPENING DATES/TIMES: Every Friday, Sunday and Bank Holiday 12noon to 5pm from end of April to end of September.

ADDRESS: Wollerton, Market Drayton TF9 3NA

TELEPHONE: 01630 685760


WEBSITE: www.wollertonoldhallgarden.com

THE BOG VISITOR CENTRE

BROSELEY PIPEWORKS

DANIELS MILL

DAVID AUSTIN’S PLANT CENTRE &ROSE GARDEN

DISCOVER SHROPSHIRE

THE DOWER HOUSE GARDEN

LUDLOW CASTLE

MYTHSTORIES MUSEUM

SHIPTON HALL

SHROPSHIRE LAVENDER

SNAILBEACH MINE

STOKESAY COURT

WOLLERTON OLD HALL GARDEN

RURAL AND HERITAGELOCATIONS

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A49

A49

A49

A488

A483

A489

A458

A458

A442

A442

A518

A528

A495

A495

A442

A454

A464

A458

A488

A488 A4113 A4117

A4169

A49

M54

A49 A41

A41

A41

A5

A5

A5A5 A5

A53

A53

KnightonKnighton

Tenbury WellsTenbury Wells

Cleobury MortimerCleobury MortimerLudlowLudlow

KidderminsterKidderminster

Craven ArmsCraven Arms

Ditton PriorsDitton Priors

ShawburyShawbury

HodnetHodnet

PontesburyPontesbury

BewdleyBewdley

MinsterleyMinsterley

MuchWenlock

MuchWenlock

WellingtonWellington

BroseleyBroseley

HighleyHighley

BridgnorthBridgnorth

Bishop’s CastleBishop’s Castle

IronbridgeIronbridge

NewportNewport

WemWemOswestryOswestry

TelfordTelford

EllesmereEllesmereMarket DraytonMarket Drayton

WhitchurchWhitchurchLlangollenLlangollen

WelshpoolWelshpool

ClunClun

Church StrettonChurch Stretton

CLUN FOREST

LON

G M

YND

STIPERSTO

NES

BROWN CLEE HILL

TIT TERSTONECLEE HILL

SHROPSHIRE HILLSAREA OF OUTSTANDING

NATURAL BEAUT Y

THEWREKIN

SHREWSBURYSHREWSBURY

WENLOCK

EDGE

AlbrightonAlbrighton2

3

411

10

9

5

6

1

13

12

8

7

© Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049049

Details correct at time of print. Please checkwith attraction before your visit.

26 miles of much wenlock marathon trailsmuch wenlo ck wenlock... · 26 miles of much wenlock home...

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