7 Night Shropshire Hills Discovery Tour
Explore the borderlands between England and Wales with a 7-night Shropshire Hills Discovery Tour. You’ll get a glimpse of what life was like in Roman Britain with a trip to Wroxeter and cross the border into Wales for a journey aboard the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway. Other highlights include the medieval town of Ludlow, two castles (13th century Stokesay and Powis), and UNESCO-listed Ironbridge – cradle of the Industrial Revolution.
What you’ll love
- Visiting the home of the modern Olympics at Much Wenlock
- Learning about Roman Britain in Wroxeter
- Exploring historic Shrewsbury
- Riding the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
- Visiting the mighty Powis Castle and 13th century Stokesay
- Spending time in medieval Ludlow
What’s included
- Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Guided sightseeing with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
- All transport to and from sites of interest
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Please note - Entrance fees are not included. See Essential Info tab for details.
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival.
Today, we'll get to know the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the way in which its unique geology has created a wide variety of landscapes. We visit the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, explore the picturesque towns of Clun and Bishop’s Castle, and discover social history at The Bog Centre. We finish our day with views of the surrounding countryside at the mystical Stiperstones.
The World Heritage Site of Ironbridge is often called the ‘Cradle of the Industrial Revolution’. Here we can discover how iron was produced, technology advanced and how the Victorians lived. The area offers ten different museums and attractions to visit, so there is plenty of choice! We’ll also visit Much Wenlock, the birthplace of the modern Olympic movement, where we can explore the Olympic Trail, or just enjoy the town’s beauty.
Discover more about Longmynd House and the local area for ideas on how to make the most of your free day.
A morning to enjoy the sights of Shrewsbury, Shropshire’s county town and the ‘Original One-off’. Will you choose to take a river cruise, or follow in the footsteps of Percy Thrower, Charles Darwin or Brother Cadfael? Later today, we step back further in time to explore the fascinating remains of Viriconium (Wroxeter), once the fourth largest city in Roman Britain, and the reconstructed town house which gives a sense of domestic Roman life.
Architecture and medieval history are today’s themes: Ludlow has an imposing 11th-century castle and many listed buildings, including those in Broad Street, considered one of the finest streets in Britain. There will be plenty of time to explore historic Ludlow before we visit the spectacular medieval manor house of Stokesay Castle this afternoon. The Great Hall has remained unchanged for 700 years and offers great views from its gable windows, and its fortified North Tower looks like something out of a fairy tale.
'Border country' might bring to mind power struggles but there is much more than historic bloodshed! On the final day our holiday, we spend time in Montgomery, a charming historic border town, take a ride on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, with one of the steepest gradients of all the Great Little Trains, and spend time discovering Powis Castle, home to the Clive Museum and some spectacular gardens.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Longmynd House
For rural calm in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the location of this characterful country house is hard to top. Set in a wooded hillside just a short stroll from the market town of Church Stretton (nicknamed Little Switzerland for its picturesque landscape), you’ll be within walking or driving distance of the Stiperstones, Caer Caradoc, Ironbridge Valley of Invention, and the historic towns of Ludlow and Shrewsbury. And then, of course, there’s the Long Mynd itself – an area of registered common land that has been cared for by a group of farmers (the self-named commoners) who have grazed sheep and ponies here for generations.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Longmynd House has 51 well-appointed guest rooms available in two categories: Classic and Premium.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: Room 16 for its four-poster bed, separate seating area, and lovely views. Room 44 has a small balcony and outdoor eating area overlooking the heather-clad rise on the far side of the valley. For more privacy, the lodges have their own terrace.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Longmynd House
Getting to Longmynd House
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationEssential information
Please note
Admission fees are payable locally and aren’t included in your holiday price. This gives you greater choice, freedom and flexibility, to choose to pay the entrance fees for the attractions that interest you most.
Many of you have English Heritage (EH) or National Trust (NT) memberships already, which entitle you to free or reduced price entry to some of the attractions visited. Please see below, approximate totals for entrance fees, should you choose to visit all the highlighted attractions during your holiday. If you have National Trust or Historic Houses membership – please make sure to bring your membership identification with you.
|
Approx. cost of entrance fees |
3 night holiday |
4 night holiday |
7 night holiday |
|
EH & NT members |
£38 |
£20.50 |
£58 |
|
NT members |
£38 |
£38 |
£76 |
|
EH members |
£38 |
£35 |
£73 |
|
No memberships |
£38 |
£53 |
£91 |
Essential information
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Suitable, sturdy footwear with a good grip. You’ll be on your feet for much of the day
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Sunhat
- Rucksack
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- Sunscreen
- Mobile phone
- UV sunglasses
Recommended
- First aid kit, including plasters
- Sit mat
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
Optional extras
- Walking poles,
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Waterproof rucksack liner
Longmynd House Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Jill Durnford
A big fan of Britain’s history, geology and wildlife, Jill is an HF Holidays Leader and certified Blue Badge Tour Guide who likes to share her passion with others. She’s lived in southeast England, the West Country, Scotland, Cumbria, and now find herself in the Welsh borders. A real people person, Jill loves showing guests around the stately homes and gardens she’s most fond of and introducing them to Shropshire’s hidden gems.
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £30 per person.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
|
31 May - 07 Jun 2024 7 nights |
Discovery Tour Single from £1,699 £1,574 Double from £1,349 £1,224 pp |
from £1,349 £1,224 pp |
from £1,699 £1,574 |
Save £125 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
|
06 Sep - 13 Sep 2024 7 nights |
Discovery Tour Single from £1,699 £1,609 Double from £1,349 £1,259 pp |
from £1,349 £1,259 pp |
from £1,699 £1,609 |
Save £90 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
7 nights
from
£1,349pp
£1,224pp
On offer
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