Shropshire Hills Skyline Challenge
Part of our all-new HF Holidays Skyline series, this trip is perfect for those that want to take on an exhilarating weekend walking challenge. With the help of an experienced HF Holidays Leader, you’ll hit all the famous highpoints of the Shropshire Hills National Landscape including the Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc, Ragleth, Hope Bowdler Hills and the Lawley. Over the course of two days, we’ll cover a total distance of 25.5 miles (41 km) with 4,530 feet (1380 metres) of ascent and be rewarded with spectacular views of the stunning Stretton Skyline. Take on this thrilling walk for incredible scenery, ancient history, and maximum bragging rights.
What you’ll love
- The sense of achievement from completing this Skyline challenge
- Exploring the best of the Shropshire Hills
- Discovering the history of the region
- Learning about the unique geology of the area
- Views over the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, and the iconic Stiperstones Ridge
- A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 12 people)
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 walking with experienced HF Holidays Leaders
- All transport to and from walks where necessary
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.
Gallery
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.
Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival, served from 4.30pm.
Distance: 13 miles (20.5km)
Ascent: 2,250 feet (680m)
In summary: Leaving the house through Rectory Woods, we’ll follow the lower slopes of the Long Mynd, passing through the famous Carding Mill Valley to reach the quiet and hidden ‘Batch’ valley. The route continues into Jonathan’s Hollow, and upwards to the northernmost end of the Long Mynd plateau. Following the ancient Port Way which runs along the heather-clad ridge of Long Mynd, we’ll pass an ancient tumulus to reach Pole Bank, the highest point on Long Mynd at 516m. On a clear day Cadair Idris is visible to the west with the jagged quartzite outcrops of the Stiperstones ridge in the foreground.
From Pole Cottage, we’ll follow grassy paths across Round Hill and Callow Hill watching out for wild ponies grazing the common land, before descending to the pretty village of Little Stretton. After crossing the A49 which runs through the Stretton Valley, the route climbs steeply up Ragleth Hill to follow another stunning ridgeline with 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Our descent takes us through woodlands on the side of Hazler Hill and down through Snatchfield Valley back to Church Stretton. From the town it is a short ascent through Rectory Fields to Longmynd House.
Distance: 12.5 miles (20km)
Ascent: 2,350 (720m)
In summary: After a short coach journey (5 minutes approx.), we’ll arrive at the start of the second stage of the Stretton Skyline. We’ll ascend past the Gaer Stone and traverse the stunning ridgeline and two cairned summits of Hope Bowdler Hill. A short descent takes us down to the ancient Cwms Lane from which we’ll ascend to the iconic Three Fingers Rock on the southern end of Caer Caradoc.
Hear about the myths and legends of Caractacus as we follow an ancient route to reach the ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort at the summit of Caer Caradoc and be wowed by 360-degree views. Passing Little Caradoc, we’ll descend to the valley floor, contouring the lower slopes of the Lawley. We’ll then ascend the final majestic ridge of the Lawley with its summit marked by a pole and a bird, visible for miles around. The path continues along the ridge southwards before dropping down to Comley and the lower slopes of Caer Caradoc before crossing the valley to reach the village of All Stretton. From here we’ll wind our way along field paths and quiet roads back to Church Stretton and Longmynd House.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Longmynd Hotel
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 Hotel has 56 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: 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 |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
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 Hotel
Getting to Longmynd Hotel
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
Longmynd Hotel
Cunnery Road
Church Stretton
Shropshire SY6 6AG
Tel: +44 (0)1694 722244
By train
The nearest station is Church Stretton. Although Longmynd Hotel is less than a mile from the station, it is at the top of a steep hill and there is no taxi rank at the station. Taxis are in extremely limited supply in the Church Stretton area and drivers usually come from further afield which is reflected in fares.
Shrewsbury has more choice of trains, and you can take a taxi directly to the house from the station (see below).
Check National Rail for train times and routes.
By taxi
From Shrewsbury, it’s a 15-mile journey taking 30 to 40 minutes.
For pricing, please contact Me2You Cars directly.
Me2You Cars
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended Shrewsbury based company, Me2You Cars*. We recommend booking your taxi, including your return journey if needed, at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1743 537644 or 07791 670110
Email: danielle@me2youcars.com
*Me2You Cars is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
By car
There’s free car parking at Longmynd Hotel if you decide to drive.
Follow the A49 to Church Stretton. At the traffic lights turn off into town, then at the first junction turn left onto the High Street. Go straight over the mini-roundabout, and then take the next right into Cunnery Road. Follow the road up the steep hill to Longmynd Hotel.
By air
The nearest airport is Manchester International Airport.
Trains take about two hours, with a change in Crewe.
You can also fly into London Heathrow airport, but it’ll take at least 4 hours to reach Shrewsbury by train.
National Rail has up-to-date routes and train times.
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 footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)
- Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Gloves and a warm hat
- Rucksack with waterproof liner
- Flask for hot drinks
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- Sunscreen
- UV sunglasses
Recommended
- Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)
- Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters
- First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent
- Sit mat
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
- Camera
- First-aid kit
Longmynd Hotel Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
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 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | ||||||||
16 May - 19 May 2025 3 nights |
Itinerary
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £545 pp |
from £545 pp |
Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
18 Jul - 21 Jul 2025 3 nights |
Itinerary Single from £545 Double from £545 pp |
from £545 pp |
from £545 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now |