The Slates

The Slates is a proper woodland walk just outside Shrewsbury, and it's the kind of place that rewards getting your boots muddy. You're walking through mixed forest - oak, beech, the lot - with the occasional slate outcrop giving the place its name. It's not dramatic scenery, but there's something quietly satisfying about the trails winding through here, especially after rain when everything smells of damp earth.

This works best for walkers who don't need dramatic peaks or sweeping views to enjoy themselves. Families with kids of walking age will find enough here to keep them interested for an hour or so, though it's not the sort of place that'll grip them for a full afternoon. You can make it as easy or as challenging as you want depending which path you take.

Worth knowing: access appears to be free and there's no formal visitor infrastructure, so come prepared. It's the sort of local spot that doesn't get mobbed, which is exactly why it's worth the short drive from Shrewsbury town centre. If you're staying at Love2Stay or Ebury Hill just up the road, this makes a cracking morning outing before heading to one of the bigger parks in the area. The woodland's best in autumn when the light filters through properly, though it's manageable year-round. Allow a couple of hours for a decent explore without pushing it.