Events
There are a variety of walks, talks and activities to help you discover more about the magnificent landscape, diverse wildlife and rich heritage of the Shropshire Hills.
Click on the months below to discover the events taking place.
2008
| January | May | September |
| February | June | October |
| March | July | November |
| April | August | December |
January |
No events.
February |
No events.
March |
24th March - 4th April • Craft BOX
Easter Holidays • Weekdays only, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Creative activities for children aged 5-11 (must be accompanied by an adult).
£2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
26th March • Museum on the Move
10.30am - 4pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
New interactive, multi-sensory exhibition which looks at Climate Change, past, present & future.
Contact 01588 676060
28th March • Holiday in the Hills
10am - 4pm • Mayfair Community Centre, Church Stretton
FREE silk painting workshop, all ages and abilities. Under 10's to be accompanied by an adult.
Contact 01694 722077
29th March • Rocks make the Landscape
10am - 1pm • Willstone Farm SO 491952
The geology of Caer Caradoc by Dr Peter Toghill (no dogs). £4
Contact 01694 722631
30th March • Woodland Management
10am - 1pm • Wenlock Edge Inn SO 570963
Woodland Management of f Wenlock Edge led by National Trust Warden. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
30th March • Shaping the Shropshire Hills
2 - 4pm • Carding Mill Valley
A guided walk to understand how the hills and valleys of the AONB were formed.
Contact 01588 674080
April |
11th April • Wellington to Wrekin Walk
9.30am - 3pm • Wellington Civic Centre
8 mile walk up to and over the Wrekin, bring packed lunch and wet weather gear.
Contact 01743 284280
15th April • Acton Scott Historic Working Farm opens for 2008
Visit www.actonscottmuseum.co.uk for details of exciting new developments.
Contact 01694 781306
20th April • Archaeology of the Long Mynd
2 - 4.30pm • Carding Mill Valley
Led by Hugh Hannaford, county archaeologist. Walk contains steep gradients and covers about 5km. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
26th April • Orienteering
11am - 12pm • Carding Mill Valley
An introduction - simple course led by Wrekin Orienteers. Adults £2, children £1.
27th April • Clogging in the Clun - EVENT CANCELLED
10am - 12pm • Clun Memorial Hall car park
A river walk to find out about the historical management and wildlife of the rivers in the AONB.
Contact 01588 674080
May |
From 3rd May onwards • Crossroads in Time
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
GEOcoaching Trail - easy to use, hand-held GPS to find a hidden "cache". £10 and £50 refundable deposit.
Contact 01588 676060
3rd - 5th May • Clun Green Man Festival
Music, drama, colour and medieval malarkey.
Further details www.clungreenman.org.uk
3rd May • Early Morning Bird Song
5.30am • Clunton Coppice Nature Reserve
With John Tucker, optional breakfast. £5.
Contact 01588 660845
4th May • Rocks make the Landscape
2 - 5.30pm • The Bog Visitor Centre, SO 356979
The geology of the Stiperstones. £4, children under 16 free.
Contact 01588 674080
4th May • Bird Watching for Beginners
Day course • Oak Barn, Clee St Margaret
With John Tucker. £35.
Contact 01588 660845
5th May • The May Fayre
Mayfair Community Centre, Church Stretton
A traditional May Fayre with maypole dancing, entertainment, stalls and refreshments.
Contact 01694 722077
10th May • Early Morning Bird Song
5.30am • Brown Clee
With John Tucker, optional breakfast. £5.
Contact 01588 660845
11th May • Bluebell Walk on Wenlock Edge
2 - 4.30pm • Wilderhope Manor car park SO 545928
Adults £3, children free. Led by National Trust warden.
Contact 01694 722631
18th May • Diabetes UK Sponsored Walk and Craft Fair
9.30am - 4pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
A choice of walks available from 2 to 7 miles. Craft fair from 10am-4pm and FREE activities for children including recycled craft workshop.
Contact 01922 614500 or email w.midlands@diabetes.org.uk to join walk.
22nd May • Wild Mynd 1
10am - 1pm • The Wern SO 433910
Spring migrants and bird song. £3 each or £15 for all 7 Wild Mynd sessions.
Contact 01694 722631
23rd May • Gallery Exhibition
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
British Wood Carvers annual show "Precious Earth"
Contact 01588 676060
24th May • Early Morning Bird Song
5.30am • Earl's Hill Nature Reserve
With John Tucker, optional breakfast. £5.
Contact 01588 660845
25th May • Walk on the Wild Side
10am -12pm • Earl's Hill Nature Reserve
Conserving wildlife in the AONB.
Contact 01588 674080
26th May • The Grand Day Out
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Including spring plant sale and picnic.
Contact 01694 781306
26th - 30th May • Down to Earth
1 - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Get to grips with soil and make a wormery to take home. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
27th & 29th May • Strange Stories
11am - 2pm • Carding Mill Valley
Children must bring an adult. £1.
Contact 01694 722631
28th May • The Shropshire Hills
2 - 4.30pm • Mayfair Community Centre, Church Stretton
Slide show and talk, followed by Shuttle Tour. £8 including refreshments.
Contact 01694 722631
30th May • Holidays in the Hills
10am - 4pm • Mayfair Community Centre, Church Stretton
FREE scrap book making workshop, all ages and abilities. Under 10's to be accompanied by an adult.
Contact 01694 722077
June |
2nd June • An Inconvenient Truth
7.30pm • Mayfair Community Centre, Church Stretton
Al Gore's film on Global Warming. £3.
Contact 01694 722077
3rd June • Orienteering
7-8pm • Carding Mill Valley
Simple training led by Wrekin Orienteers, £2. www.wrekinorienteers.co.uk
4th June • Walkers are Welcome launch
Church Stretton
Guided walks led from Church Stretton.
4th June • Drumming Snipe at Wildmoor
8 - 10pm • Meet at Carding Mill Valley to lift share
Led by ornithologist Leo Smith. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
5th - 8th June • Church Stretton Walking Festival
Church Stretton
www.churchstrettonwalkingfestival.co.uk
7th June • Make your Birds Count
Day course • Oak Barn, Clee St Margaret
With John Tucker. £35.
Contact 01588 660845
7th June • Gallery Exhibition
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Faith Roper - felt maker until 29th June.
Contact 01588 676060
8th June • Natural History of Wenlock Edge
2 - 4pm • Presthope Car Park SO 582975
Led by National Trust Warden. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
10-12th June • Bishop's Castle Walking Festival
Bishop's Castle
12th June • Wild Mynd 2
10am - 1pm • Top Car Park, Carding Mill Valley
Bird surveys and Breeding birds. £3 each or £15 for all 7 Wild Mynd sessions.
Contact 01694 722631
22nd June • Flowers of Blakeway Hollow
10am -12.30pm • National Trust Much Wenlock Car Park, SO 613996
A walk led by National Trust wardens. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
28th June • Rocks make the Landscape
2 - 5.30pm • Nordy Bank, SO 572850
The geology of Brown Clee. £4, children under 16 free.
Contact 01588 674080
28th - 29th June • Wheels and Wagons Weekend
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Including tyring demonstrations, the museum's wagons and carts on display and activities for younger visitors.
Contact 01694 781306
29th June • Landscape Detective Walk
2 - 4.30pm • Methodist Church, Church Stretton
Reading the clues in the Shropshire Hills AONB landscape, with Dr Ian Dormor.
Contact 01588 674080
July |
5th July • Gallery Exhibition
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Westhope College tutors annual exhibition until 27th July.
Contact 01588 676060
10th July • Wild Mynd 3
10am - 12.30pm • Meet at Carding Mill Valley to car share
Flowers in Catbatch. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
12th July • The Bedlams Wild Borders Dancing
3pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Morris Dance Display.
Contact 01694 722631
12th July • Rocks make the Landscape
10am - 1pm • Presthope Car Park, SO 582975
The geology of Wenlock Edge (no dogs). £4. Suitable for 10 years+
Contact 01694 722631
12th - 26th July • Walk the Shropshire Way
Series of guided walks through the Shropshire Hills.
Contact Jim Stabler on 01743 255067 for details.
17th July • Wild Mynd 4
10am - 12pm • Meet at Carding Mill Valley to lift share
Dragonflies & butterflies. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
18th July - 7th September • 50 Years of Holidays in the Hills
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
An exhibition by artists of all ages. Inspired by old photographs and memorabilia - a celebration of Church Stretton and the Shropshire Hills and a chance to make your own souvenir. Free.
Contact 01588 676060
19th July • Farm Tours
Rhos Fiddle Nature Reserve
Pick up from Craven Arms and Ludlow
Contact Ludlow Visitor Information Centre on 01584 875053
19th July - 3rd August • Church Stretton Arts Festival
Further details www.strettonfestival.org.uk
21st, 22nd, 24th & 25th July • Not just a Load of Hot Air!
1 - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Find out why hot air balloons fly and make your own. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
21st July - 29th August • Onny Meadows Orienteering
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Permanent course, suitable for beginners to orange standard. Drop in anytime.
Contact 01588 676060
23rd July • Music Makers Workshop
1 - 2.30pm or 3 - 4.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Design and build your own instruments using everyday household objects. £2 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
26th July • The Wrekin Hillfort Event
Forest Glen Car Park
Story telling, Iron Age re-enactment and more
Contact 01743 284280
26th - 27th July • Steam Engine Display
11am - 3pm • Carding Mill Valley
John Sankey's "Marshall" agricultural steam engine display.
Contact 01694 722631
27th July • Hillforts of the Shropshire Hills
10.30am • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Heritage and hillforts. An illustrated talk followed by optional walk up to Norton Hill Camp.
Contact 01588 674080
27th July • Living in the Iron Age
2.30 - 4pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Hands on activities for children. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
28th July • Skylarkin' About
11am - 3pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Challenging walk onto Stanyeld to hunt for hidden nature and listen for Skylarks. Bring packed lunch and binoculars (if you have them). £1 per child, must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact 01694 722631
28th, 29th & 31st July • Iron Age Settlers
1 - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Find out how to identify early settlements, examine Celtic artefacts, then go and see a local Hill Fort for yourself. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
30th July • Getting Involved
10am - 1pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Join the Wardens for some hands-on management. Come drive a Tractor or Mule, get stuck in to wumping or coppicing.
Contact 01694 722631
August |
1st & 18th - 22nd August • Iron Age Settlers
1 - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Find out how to identify early settlements, examine Celtic artefacts, then go and see a local Hill Fort for yourself. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
2nd August - 7th September • Natural Beauty
An exhibition of contemporary work by Secret Hills Art Cafe.
4th - 7th August • Secret Hills Art Summer School
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Workshops for artists including drawing, watercolour, mixed media and textiles, plus taster sessions on confidence building, making sketchbooks, developing drawing and painting, weaving and felt making. Plus an "Art Walk" through the hills with an artist.
Contact 01588 676060
4th - 8th & 25th - 29th August • Pond Pollution
1 - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Learn to identify pond creatures. Put on your wellies and get dipping! £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
5th August • Muckin' about with Maps
11am - 2.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Two orienteering competitions. 11am easy course, 1pm a harder course. Chocolate prizes. Bring packed lunch. £1 per child, must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact 01694 722631
7th August • Burwarton Show
Further details www.burwartonshow.co.uk
9th August • Rocks make the Landscape
10am - 1pm • Forest Glen Car Park, SJ 637092
The geology of the Ercall and the Wrekin. £4, children under 16 free.
Contact 01588 674080
9th August • Minsterley Show
Further details www.minsterleyshow.org.uk
11th - 15th August • Not just a Load of Hot Air!
1 - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Find out why hot air balloons fly and make your own. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
13th August • Mounting Mountain Mysteries
2 - 4 pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
A guided walk onto the heather clad Long Mynd, following in the footsteps of author Malcolm Saville whose books were set in these hills. £1 per child, must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact 01694 722631
13th August • The Persiad Shower
9pm • Shooting Box, SO 422954
The Long Mynd is a magical place at night and an excellent observation point for one of the most dramatic meteorite showers of the year. Cancelled if cloudy.
Contact 01694 722631
14th August • Wild Mynd 5
10am - 12.30pm • Shooting Box, SO 422954
Heather management led by National Trust property manager Pete Carty. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
17th August • Crafts & Skills Bonanza
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Watch skilled crafts people at work all around the farm.
Contact 01694 781306
20th August • Museum on the Move
10.30am - 4pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
New interactive, multi-sensory exhibition which looks at Climate Change - past, present and future.
Contact 01588 676060
20th August • Valleys of the Shropshire Hills
10.30am - 1pm • Mayfair Community Centre, Church Stretton
Batch and Gogbatch - slide show followed by Shuttle Tour. £8, including refreshments..
Contact 01694 722631
21st August • Pacing the Pike
11am - 3pm •
Exhilarating walk to explore Bodbury Bronze Age hill fort and attempt "the big climb" up onto Haddon Hill to hunt for whinberries. Bring picnic lunch. £1 per child, must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact 01694 722631
21st - 25th August • Ludlow Green Festival
10.30am - 1pm • Castle Square
Further details www.greenfestival.co.uk
23rd August • Trains and Tranquility
9.30am • Train departs from Craven Arms Train Station
Join us on the Heart of Wales train to Bucknell and walk the 5 miles to Knighton through the beautiful countryside of the AONB. Return by train from Knighton. Train ticket £3.
Contact 01588 674080
24th - 25th August • Church Stretton Food Fayre
Further details www.foodfayre.org
30th August • Farm Tours
Hopton Wafers and Clee Hill
Pick up from Craven Arms and Ludlow.
Contact Ludlow Visitor Information Centre on 01584 875053
September |
4th September • Wild Mynd 6
10 - 12pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Stream life, explore with National Trust officers. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
11th - 14th September • Heritage Open Days
Craven Arms
Explore different places of interest in and around Craven Arms. Free entrance to sites and children's activities.
Contact 01588 676060
11th September • Wild Mynd 7
10am - 12.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Updates, review and feedback led by "Wild Mynd" authors. Tea/coffee and cake. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
13th September • Gallery Exhibition
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Marches scribes until 12th October.
Contact 01588 676060
20th - 21st September • Bishop's Castle Michaelmas Fayre
10am - 3pm • Bishop's Castle Playing Field
21st September • Harvest Festival
3pm • Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Celebrate the years harvest with a horse-drawn procession.
Contact 01694 781306
28th September • Buy Local, Be Sustainable
Mayfair Centre, Church Stretton
Find out how you can do your bit to minimise impact but maximise enjoyment of the Shropshire Hills.
Contact 01588 674080
October |
1st October • Long Mynd in the Ice Age
7.30pm • Shirehall, Shrewsbury
Talk by geologist Ken Addison. £2.50
Contact 01694 722631
4th October • Cafe Exhibition
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Di Williams until 2nd November.
5th October • Root Veg Revue
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
While celebrating all root veg, this year's focus will be on the newly christened "super food"; Beetroot.
Contact 01694 781306
5th October • Fungal Foray
11am - 1pm • Pole Cottage, SO 414938
Talk by wildlife expert John Hughes. £4.
Contact 01694 722631
5th October • Fungus Hunt and Cookup
2.30pm • Lydham Village Hall
6th October • History of the Hills
2 - 4.30pm • Mayfair Community Centre, Church Stretton
A slide show, shuttle tour and short walk led by local history researcher, Alan Brisbourne. £8 (includes refreshments)
Contact 01694 722631
12th October • Rocks Make the Landscape
2 - 5.30pm • Clee Hill Village Car Park, SO 594793
The geology of Titterstone Clee. £4, children under 16 free.
Contact 01588 674080
18th October • Gallery Exhibition
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Abstract work by Eileen Addy until 16th November.
Contact 01588 676060
22nd October • Getting Involved!
10am - 1pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Join the wardens for some hands-on management. Get stuck in to wumping or coppicing.
Contact 01694 722631
25th - 26th October • Steam Threshing
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Join us for one of the most evocative activities of the farming calendar.
Contact 01694 781306
26th October • Woodlands; past, present and future
10.30am - 12.30pm • Forest Glen Car Park
The Wrekin - a walk to the top looking at the management of the AONB's most iconic hill.
Contact 01588 674080
27th - 31st October • Mammoth Munchers
1 - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Meet the Condover Mammoth, listen to his story and make your own gingerbread mammoth to take home. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
November |
1st - 2nd November • Steam Threshing
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Join us for one of the most evocative activities of the farming calendar.
Contact 01694 781306
8th November • Winter Birds
10am - 12.30pm • Shooting Box, SO 422954
Walk with the National Trust wardens. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
15th November • Rocks make the Landscape
10am - 1pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Geology of the Long Mynd with Dr Peter Toghill. Coach ride back to tea rooms (no dogs). £8.
Contact 01694 722631
December |
2nd December • Late Night Christmas shopping
4.30 - 7.30pm • Carding Mill Valley NT Gift Shop
National Trust Gift Shop. Shuttle from Mayfair.
Contact 01694 722631
20th December - 5th January 2009 • Festive Crafts
10am - 4.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
FREE festive crafty goings-on for children. Drop in anytime.