The Brinks

The Brinks is a proper woodland walk just outside Ludlow, the kind of place that rewards you for knowing about it rather than stumbling across it by accident. You get steep banks, a small river, and enough tree cover to feel genuinely remote despite being minutes from town. The forest floor is uneven - expect roots, the occasional muddy patch, and a genuine sense of going somewhere rather than ambling along a manicured trail.

It's excellent for walkers who want something a bit more substantial than a park stroll but aren't ready to tackle the Shropshire Hills proper. Families with older kids will manage fine, though it's not ideal for pushchairs or anyone requiring smooth paths. The river adds interest, and in spring the woodland floor comes alive with bluebells.

Allow an hour to ninety minutes depending on how far you venture. Free to access, naturally - it's a working forest. The best time is autumn, when the leaf cover is thinning and you're not wading through vegetation. Go early on weekends if you want solitude.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Ludlow Touring is closest at two miles - this makes a solid morning out before heading into Ludlow proper for lunch. It's the kind of walk that settles you before exploring the town's half-timbered streets and castle. Combine it with longer hikes into Shropshire Hills Glamping's patch if you want a fuller day.