Church Stretton

Medieval trading routes still wind through these ancient hills, where the A49 dips between the Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge like a thread through history. Church Stretton sits in a proper fold of the Shropshire Hills, hemmed in by upland walks that'll test your legs and reward them in equal measure.

The town itself keeps things reassuringly low-key. Independent shops line the high street, though you'll find it quieter on weekdays than weekends when walkers descend from Birmingham and beyond. Most folk come here for the Long Mynd - that whale-backed ridge that dominates the western skyline and offers some of the finest walking in the Marches.

Big Wood provides gentler rambles for families, while the serious hikers head straight for Cardingmill Valley. The views from the ridgeline stretch across to Wales on clear days, which aren't as frequent as you'd hope but well worth waiting for when they arrive.

Getting here's straightforward enough - the town sits on the main railway line between Shrewsbury and Ludlow, making it properly accessible without a car. That said, having wheels opens up the surrounding valleys where gems like Harton Hollow Nature Reserve hide among the bracken and heather.

Camping nearby makes perfect sense if you're serious about exploring these hills. Several parks dot the valleys around town, putting you within striking distance of both the high moors and the market towns that pepper this corner of Shropshire. You'll wake to proper countryside silence and have the pick of walks right from your tent flap.