Long Mynd & Stiperstones Shuttle

Sit back and enjoy the scenery as the Shuttle travels up and over these two distinctive ‘hills’; the Long Mynd is a large and long plateau, while the rugged outline of the Stiperstones ridge is unmistakable. Together they make up the largest area of heathland in the Shropshire Hills. Come late summer these hilltops are a sea of purple and not to be missed. The National Trust looks after much of the Long Mynd, while the most wildlife-rich and geologically dramatic area of the Stiperstones is managed as a National Nature Reserve by Natural England. Both organisations strike the delicate balance between conservation, agriculture and visitor enjoyment and by using the Shuttle you are helping this balancing act.

For details of the Long Mynd & Stiperstones timetable, key stops and things to do en-route, please click below.  Click on map to enlarge.

Key Shuttle stops

  • Carding Mill Valley
    The National Trust looks after much of the Long Mynd. Carding Mill Valley is the ideal starting point to find out about the wildlife, history and conservation work on the Mynd. Events and activities take place here throughout the year and lots of walks start from here. Take the Shuttle to Shooting Box and walk back down into the valley.
  • Church Stretton
    This picturesque town set in the heart of the hills has been a popular visitor destination since Edwardian times.  There are plenty of cafes and interesting shops to browse, and lots of walks start/finish in this designated ‘walkers are welcome’ town. Use the Shuttle to climb the Long Mynd and enjoy the down hill walk with breathtaking views.
  • Bridges
    Two circular walks, the Adstone and Darnford trails start here (download details from www.shropshirewalking.co.uk). There is a Youth Hostel at Bridges and the popular Horseshoe Inn is open from noon (01588 650260).
  • The Stiperstones National Nature Reserve
    Follow the 8km Stiperstones Stomp along this spectacular ridge and into Habberley. Natural England’s leaflet ‘The Stiperstones’ includes details of the walk and lots of information on the wildlife, geology and local folklore. It is available from the Bog Visitor Centre.
  • The Bog Visitor Centre
    A warm welcome awaits you at the Bog, along with home- made cakes, local crafts and displays on the history of the area. Two circular walks, Mucklewick and Flenny Bank, start here (download details from www.shropshirewalking.co.uk)
  • Snailbeach Mine (R)
    The mines in this area were once the most productive in Europe. Follow the self guided trail around this 19th century lead mine. Underground trips into Day Level when the Visitor Centre open.

For full details of the Long Mynd & Stiperstones shuttle route, please click here.

Walking & Wildlife

This is a fantastic area for walking. Plan your own walk from the Shuttle stops with the help of the OS Explorer maps or try one of the walks suggested below.

  • 2-mile walk from the top of the Long Mynd and back down through Carding Mill Valley to Church Stretton
  • The walk starts from the Shooting Box. Take the Shuttle to the Shooting Box to join the Portway, a 5000 year old ridge-way. Follow this path and look out for the Bronze Age Burial Mound, before turning right and joining Motts Road.  This way marked footpath will guide you down into Carding Mill Valley.This is a stoney path so pleae take care. At fork in footpath continue ahead into Carding Mill Valley or take the path to your right. 500 metres up this path you will come to Lightspout, a 4-metre high waterfall. Retrace your steps to head into Carding Mill Valley. Further details of this and other walks are available in the “Walks on the Long Mynd” leaflet, available from the National Trust shop, or you can use the OS Explorer 217 map to plan your route. National Trust wardens at Carding Mill Valley can help you plan walks on the Long Mynd from the Shuttles.
  • 7-mile walk following the Shropshire Way, Church Stretton to Bridges
  • Enjoy this walk over the Long Mynd and through the Golden Valley to Bridges. The Shutttle can bring you back to Church Stretton.
  • 4-mile walk along the Stiperstones Ridge to Snailbeach Mine
  • Start this walk at the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve (NNR). Take the Shuttle to the Stiperstones NNR and walk the length of the Stiperstones ridge before turning left down to Snailbeach Mine. Allow yourself two hours. Use OS Explorer maps 217 & 241 to plan your walk. Snailbeach Mine is a request Shuttle stop so tell the driver you are doing this walk and they will look out for you at the stop.
  • 7-mile walk along the Stiperstones Ridge to Habberley
  • Start this walk at the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve (NNR). Take the Shuttle to the Stiperstones NNR and walk the length of the Stiperstones ridge to Habberley. This walk is detailed in Natural England’s leaflet on the Stiperstones which is available from the Bog Visitor Centre.
  • 8-mile walk through the Golden Valley and across the Long Mynd to Church Stretton
  • Start this walk in Pulverbatch. Take the Shuttle to Pulverbatch and walk back to Church Stretton. You can download the route description here.

Wildlife Reserves

There are a number of Nature Reserves within easy walking distance of various Shuttle stops.

  • Nipstone – stop at the Bog Visitor Centre. The volunteers at the Centre will be able to point you in the right direction for this nature reserve. You want to be heading south on a small lane from the Centre. Look out for the alpaca’s grazing in the fields on your right. The entrance to Nipstone is ahead on your left.
  • The Hollies and Brook Vessons – stop at Snailbeach. To reach these nature reserves you must follow the fairly steep lane which leads you through the mine and up onto the Stiperstones ridge.
  • Earl’s Hill – stop at Pontesbury. Directions on how to reach this reserve from Pontesbury are available from the Shropshire Wildlife Trust website.

History & Heritage

  • Bog Visitor Centre Shuttle stop. Pop into this unique visitor centre to find out more about the geology, mining and wildlife of this area. Refreshments and toilets available.
  • Snailbeach Mine – Snailbeach Shuttle Stop. The mines in this area were once the most productive in Europe. Here at Snailbeach you can follow a self-guided trail around the site and a small information centre is open on Sundays.

Pubs & Cafes

Below are contact details for the pubs and cafés along the Shuttle route. Please check opening times and you may wish to consider booking ahead for lunch.

Audio Commentary

Close your eyes and listen as snippets of information are given on the surrounding countryside, features and history of the area as you pass by on the Long Mynd & Stiperstones shuttle. There are a number of references to Mary Webb and Malcolm Saville, both of whom were inspired by this area in their writing. Visit www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/mary-webb for information about the Mary Webb trails which have been devised to guide you to the places she loved (Trails 3 and 4 are covered by the Shuttles).

The text is also available as a Word document to download here..

These recordings were produced by The Dog Rose Trust and narrated by Val Littlehales and Richard Beaumond.