Church Stretton

Walking boots mandatory. Church Stretton sits in a narrow valley surrounded by the Long Mynd and Stiperstones hills, making it proper hiking territory where ramblers outnumber tourists most days of the week. The Victorian railway brought early tourists here, and the town still has that slightly faded spa resort feel - think genteel tea rooms and outdoor gear shops rather than chain stores.

Plush Hill offers cracking views over the valley without too much effort, while the more adventurous tackle Gogbatch and Castle Hill for serious Shropshire panoramas. The town itself is compact enough to explore in an hour, with St Michaels & All Angels C of E Church worth a look and the War Memorial marking the heart of things.

Wildlife enthusiasts should head to Deer Park or lose themselves in Gwen's Wood - both lovely spots when you need a break from the hills. Houghs Coppice provides decent woodland walking too, though it's a bit quieter than the main attractions.

Getting here means catching the Heart of Wales line to the station right in town, or driving the A49 from Shrewsbury - about twenty minutes north. The surrounding countryside is proper Welsh border country, all rolling hills and ancient earthworks like the Motte archaeological site.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're minutes from the Long Mynd's ridge walks and close enough to explore the Stiperstones too. After a day on the hills, having your own space to recover beats hunting for accommodation in what's still quite a small market town.