Why not visit Shropshire one weekend? There's so much to do and see such as The Iron Bridge, Bridgnorth Cliff Railway, Shrewsbury Abbey, Weston Park and much more. Whether you are visiting with friends or family, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
The Iron Bridge is one of Shropshire’s most popular attractions and is known for being the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. There is so much history about the Iron Bridge, although most of the factories are long gone and the Gorge has been restored.
There are also many museums to visit, which are Victorian themed and full of history and operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. Although, the Gorge is the main attraction when you visit Shropshire. Where there were many industrial sites, now lies beautiful woodland and the Gorge is now a maze of footpaths, country lanes, and bridleways.
The Victorian Iron Masters and their worker's homes can be viewed in the communities around the Gorge, but there are no back streets left to visit. Now, the former homes are old houses set in the picturesque villages across the valley.
Why not explore further, where there is so much of Shropshire to discover? With many medieval towns, historical places and stunning gardens to visit – dated back over thousands of years.
Opening times
Open any reasonable time during daylight hours
Address
Ironbridge
Telford
Shropshire
TF8 7JP
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/iron-bridge
2. Shrewsbury Abbey
Shrewsbury Abbey is the church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Shrewsbury is an ancient foundation in Shewsbury, the town of Shropshire. The Abbey is popular with locals and many visitors and has so much history to discover.
The Abbey has been a place of worship, since the Anglo-Saxon times and was founded as a Benedictine Monastery by Roger de Montgomery in 1083 on the site of a previous Saxon church.
Shewsbury Abbey welcomes people from all over the world with a warm welcome, so why not explore the popular town of Shropshire and see what Shewsbury Abbey has to offer? There are so many things to do and see in Shropshire, whether you plan to visit with friends or family.
Address
Abbey Foregate
Shrewsbury
SY2 6BA
Contact details
01743 232723
www.shrewsburyabbey.com
3. Ludlow Castle
Ludlow Castle is a beautiful medieval castle, in the heart of a town in Shropshire and overlooks the River Teme. Why not take a walk through the castle grounds and uncover history where the ancient houses of kings, queens, princes, and judges? There is so much Ludlow Castle has to offer, full of medieval lifestyle.
Why not explore Ludlow and discover the town’s history and take a trip to Ludlow Castle? There is so much to do and see in Shropshire, whether you are visiting with family or friends.
If you love exploring castles and learning all about medieval history, you’ll love a visit to Ludlow Castle!
Opening times
10am – 5pm
Address
Castle Sq
Ludlow
SY8 1AY
Contact details
01584 873355
www.ludlowcastle.com/the_castle
4. Hawkstone Park Follies
Hawkstone Park Follies features Grotto Hill, where you can explore a labyrinth of ancient mines cut into the cliff! Make sure to visit the wooden Swiss Bridge, situated over an unnervingly deep cave.
There is also a path between the two cliffs which take you through tunnels and lead you to the Monument, which is 100ft high! Don’t miss out on seeing amazing panoramic views of up to 13 counties in Shropshire.
If you fancy something to eat while out, why not bring a picnic if it’s a nice day, or eat at Caspian’s Tea Room on site? It’s full of delicious snacks and refreshments.
There are also many events and attractions that take place, so if you plan to visit with the family, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Events include Summer Holiday treasure hunts, Fun Ride Days and the popular Shropshire Mud Run.
There is free parking on site and dogs are allowed to come too! Why not visit with friends and explore the tunnels and history?
Opening hours
Reopens March 2017.
Pricing
Adults: £8.25
Child: £5.75
Concessions: £7.50
Family (2 & 2): £26
Address
Weston under Redcastle
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY4 5UY
England
Contact details
01948 841700
www.hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk
5. Weston Park Shifnal
Weston Park has so much to offer, such as stunning lakes and woodland to explore as well as the house itself. The Manor at Weston Park offers a wonderful journey of history to discover.
There are many activities to enjoy, whether you are visiting with friends or family - There’s something for everyone! Why not visit with friends and enjoy the beautiful gardens, or take a stroll through the woodland nearby.
Don’t miss out on seeing the art gallery, which was originally built in 1767 and was unused for many years before becoming the subject of a most sympathetic restoration, thanks to the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. There are various exhibitions at the art gallery, where you can view private collections. The gallery is close to the Granary Grill and Deli, so why not take a look at the gallery and relax with something delicious in the café?
Whether you want to explore the outdoors and nature, or visit museums, manors and gardens – there’s so much to do in Shropshire!
Opening hours
House
Sunday to Friday 13:00 - 17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Park and Gardens
March through September
10:30 - 18:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Pricing
House, Park and Gardens
Adults: £10.50
Children (4 to 14 years): £6.60
Seniors: £9.40
Address
Weston-under-Lizard
Shifnal
Shropshire
TF11 8LE
England
Contact details
01952 852100
www.weston-park.com
Top 5 kid’s activities
From Zoo's to Railway's, there's plenty of activities and days out for the kids in Shropshire!
1. Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom
Hoo Farm has so much to offer for families, with so much to keep the kids entertained! Children will be able to get close to their favourite animals, including farm animals. Who wouldn’t want to bottle feed baby lambs?
Hoo Farm is surrounded by beautiful countryside and views and home to over 20 different species of animals. From rainforest animals to ostriches and alpacas. There
There are also daily talks and feeding times, so why not visit with the kids and feed hedgehogs and many other animals? There is so much to do at the farm and kids will love it!
Opening hours
25 March to 12 Sepember
Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 17:30
13 September to 20 October
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 - 17:00
21 October to 31 October
Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 17:00
1 November to 30 November
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 - 16:00
Pricing
Adult (16+): £9.95
Child (2-15): £8.45
Senior: £9.45
Family: £43.00
Address
Preston on the Weald Moors
Telford
Shropshire
TF6 6DJ
England
Contact details
01952 677917
www.hoofarm.com
2. Bridgnorth Cliff Railway
Bridgnorth Cliff Railway has been transporting people of Bridgnorth for 100 years, up and down the 111ft sandstone cliffs, which separate the High Town from the Low Town and both from the River Severn.
Make sure to go on a train ride up the cliffs if you’re visiting Shropshire – the kids will love it! It may be an old vintage railway, but it is a popular transport to the town and it is also a fun and unusual train to go on.
The railway has twin cars on parallel tracks and then serve to counterbalance one another. Years ago, they use to be driven up and down by a system of water balance, with each carriage carrying water ballast in a tank hidden beneath the passenger seat.
It’s a great railway to see and visit, especially if you’re a railway enthusiast!
Opening hours
Summer
Monday to Saturday 8:00 - 20:00
Sunday 12:00 - 20:00
Winter
Monday to Saturday 8:00 - 18:30
Sunday 12:00 - 18:30
Pricing
Tickets: £1.60 return
Children under 6: Free
Address
6A Castle Terrace
Bridgnorth
Shropshire
WV16 4AH
England
Contact details
01746 762052
www.bridgnorthcliffrailway.co.uk
3. West Midland Safari Park
Take the kids to the West Midland Safari Park, where they will be able to explore and meet all their favourite safari animals! There is so much to do and see in the park and you might even be lucky enough to see a cheetah speeding off into the grasses! Don’t miss out on the daily talks and feedings that take place at the park, where you’ll get to feed giraffes and many more animals.
Make sure to meet the meerkats in the African Village and check out the all-weather Discover Trail! The trail features a Sea Lion Theatre shows, Lorikeet Landing and Reptile world! If your kids love dinosaurs, they will love taking a walk through the land of Living Dinosaurs – it is England’s largest animatronic dinosaur attraction!
Why not take the kids during the school holidays, or plan a fun weekend and visit the safari park? The kids will have an amazing day out!
Opening hours
Main Season Off Peak
Monday to Friday 10:00 - 17:30
Main Season Peak
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 - 18:30
Opening hours are subject to seasonal changes. Double check the link before you visit.
Pricing
Admission
Adults (16+): £23.00
Kids (3-15): £18.00
Under 3's: Free
Senior (65+)/Student/Disabled: £21.00
Please note that admission excludes rides at the Adventure Theme Park. Theme Park ride tickets can be purchased separately or are included in the Admission & Rides ticket.
Admission & Rides
Adults (16+): £37.00
Kids (3-15): £29.00
Senior (65+)/Student/Disabled: £33.00
www.wmsp.co.uk
4. Royal Airforce Museum
The Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford is one of the most popular attractions in the Midlands, with so much to do and see! There are over 70 interesting aircraft on display and is open 7 days a week and free to visit. It makes a great day out with the kids and adults alike!
The National Cold War Exhibition offers military transport, aircraft, memorabilia, missiles and much more. There is also a lot of history and information on display, where you can learn about all of the items and displays. At the exhibition you’ll find Britain’s three post war V-Bombers; the Vulcan, Victor and Valiant. You can also view a range of aircraft from an elevated viewing gallery – make sure to take lots of pictures, there’s so much to see!
The aircraft's on display include the world’s oldest Spitfire and the RAF Museum Cosford is home to various smaller exhibitions such as the Lucky Mascots exhibition and the RAF Boy Entrants. There is plenty to see and do, which will keep the kids entertained.
Don’t miss out on the Fun ‘n’ Flight Interactive Gallery, which was created to excite and inform people of all ages. The RAF museum is packed with information, history, and excitement, so why not take the kids during the school holidays or for the weekend?
Opening hours
March through October:
Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 (last admission 16:00)
November through February:Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 16:00 (last admission 15:00)
Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 16:00 (last admission 15:00)
Pricing
Free admission.
Parking charges apply.
Address
Shifnal
Shropshire
TF11 8UP
England
Contact details
01902 376200
www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford
5. Rays Farm
Rays Farm offers a fun and relaxing day out with the family. The farm is in the heart of Shropshire countryside, with relaxing views, fresh air, nature, and animals. Children will love exploring the forest and meeting the animals. There is also a goat paddock you can walk through, as well as owls, chickens, guinea pigs and much more.
There are two beautiful woodland walks to explore, where children can wander through mythical woods and fairy tale forests. They will love building dens and spotting the wildlife!
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 17:30
Pricing
Adult: £9.45
Concession: £8.45
Family of 4: £31.00
Child (2-16): £7.25
Under 2: Free
Address
Billingsley
Bridgnorth
Shropshire
WV16 6PF
England
Contact details
01299 841255
www.raysfarm.com
Top 5 Restaurants in Shropshire
On your visit to Shropshire, make sure to stop by one of these delicious restaurants!
1. The Haughmond
www.thehaughmond.co.uk
01743 709918
The Haughmond
Upton Magna
Shropshire
SY4 4TZ
2. Bistro 7 of Ludlow
www.bistro7ofludlow.co.uk
01584 877412
7 Corve Street
Shropshire
Ludlow
SY8 1DB
England
3. Etzio
www.etzio.co.uk
01948 662248
58-60 High Street
Whitchurch
SY13 1BB
England
4. La Dolce Vita
www.ladolcevitashrewsbury.co.uk
01743 249126
35A Hills Lane
Shrewsbury
SY1 1QU
England
5. Sebastian's
www.sebastians-hotel.com
01691 655444
45 Willow Street
Oswestry
SY11 1AQ
England