Wonderland Waterfall

The walk to Wonderland Waterfall isn't especially long, but it's steep enough that you'll feel it in your thighs. Near Coalbrookdale, this cascade tucked into the Shropshire landscape offers a proper bit of drama - water tumbling over dark rock, moss thick on everything, the sort of place that looks dramatically better after rain.

It's worth the climb if you're already in the area exploring the industrial heritage sites that Coalbrookdale is famous for. The waterfall itself won't take you more than 20 minutes to see and appreciate, so it works best as a bonus to a longer day out rather than a destination in itself. Families with younger kids might find it a bit much - the terrain's uneven and there's nothing to occupy them once they've spotted the water.

Historians and walkers will get more from it, honestly. There's something about seeing a proper waterfall in Shropshire that feels unexpected, almost secret. The surrounding woodland is pleasant enough, though nothing you couldn't find elsewhere.

If you're staying at Ted's Farm Caravan and Camping Site - just five miles away - it's a decent morning mission before heading into Coalbrookdale proper. Free to visit, naturally, as it's just a geographical feature. Go when there's been decent rain. Dry summer months mean it becomes more of a trickle, and half the appeal vanishes.