Craven Arms

Arriving by road or rail, Craven Arms is not to be missed. It’s a crossroads, a stopping point. It has now become a focus of exploration, where, through discovery all South Shropshire comes alive.

The Shropshire Hills lend this simple Victorian town a magnificent frame. Sheep and the railway created the town. At the crossroads there was only the Craven Arms, an inn named after the Earls of Craven. Then came the first locomotive puffing its way from Shrewsbury to Ludlow. Drovers brought hundreds of sheep down from the hills to one of the largest stockyards in the country. But times change and in Craven Arms it has brought exciting new
developments.

Exploration in the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre.

Now, the Hills are alive with the sounds of… sheep, birds and 1000 square metres of grass growing on the roof. There is barely a straight line in the whole design of this extraordinary building. The grassy umbrella supports over 70 tonnes of turf, 140 tonnes of soil and 15 tonnes of gravel. Craven Arms cossets its visitors, so snuggle up under this natural cover. No need for umbrellas if it’s raining. Just enjoy the exhibits of local artefacts and the landscape.

For a simulated-but-oh-so-real ride over the Hills, step into the basket of the hot air balloon. The Long Mynd, the Wrekin, Housman’s Wenlock Edge and the Clee … magnificent aerial views are just teasers of what awaits, when you follow up the ideas on the ground. You can learn the secrets of the 560 million-year-old rocks, which have strayed here from south of the equator and stroke the paw of the Shropshire mammoth – a replica of the best skeleton ever found in Great Britain. It dates from our last Ice Age 13,000 years ago.

For a breath of fresh air, stroll across the 25 acres of riverside meadows attached to the Discovery Centre or follow the River Onny trail further afield. There are many beautiful walks that explore the surrounding countryside. Children will particularly
enjoy the Little Mammoth Trail.

The Discovery Centre is just one of the attractions in this surprising little town. You can get a passport at any one of seven startlingly contrasting venues and gain entry at preferential rates.

Nostalgia is not a thing of the past

The Land of Lost Content (The National Museum of Popular British Culture) is another ‘must’. Stella Mitchell claims her collection is a shrine to everyday life in Britain. Tens of thousands of items provide a monument to the throwaway society.

“Everything you, your parents, your grandparents, your sons and daughters owned, used, played with and threw away.” Man, woman or child, our lives are contained in the three floors of the Old Market Hall. Twentieth century social history comes to life as room after room reveals its glorious clutter. Thousands of items bring back wartime memories. Children will love the old toys. Revel in the nostalgia of costume, film and pop culture, food and drink, shopping, sport or travel. If you ever wondered what happened to Blighty, Reveille or Tit-bits, they’re here waiting to transport you back to a more innocent age. At the old fashioned kiosk, the homely feeling of this rare collection is immediately captured by Stella’s warm welcome.

Treasure lost and waiting to be found

England’s most perfectly preserved fortified manor house with its unique timber framed Jacobean gatehouse, Stokesay Castle lies on the southern edge of town. An English Heritage property, it has hardly altered since Laurence de Ludlow completed it in 1291.The same could probably be said for the landscape immediately surrounding the castle. Here, in 1877, the author Henry James “lingered a while on the summit of the keep [and] lazily appreciated the still definite details of medieval life”. We guarantee nothing’s changed and if you don’t have his powerful imagination, the audio tours or re-enactors will help.

How to get lost

Few people plan to get lost on holiday but from mid July until mid September there’s eight and a half acres of Oakfield Farm [on the B4368 to Clun] and over five miles of walking paths devoted to getting you lost. This Maize Maze has a different theme each year. There are bridges from which to view the surrounding countryside and to see just how lost you are. Close by is Mickey Miller’s Playbarn, an all weather attraction providing family entertainment all year round. Test your nerve on the thrilling 21’ ‘death drop’ slide or for those of a more tender disposition, travel the three lane astra slide. The very young can enjoy hours of fun in the kiddies corner.

Life as it would have been

Just a little further afield, to the north east of the town, is another farm with a difference. Life at Acton Scott is just as it would have been over a hundred years ago on this country estate, with traditional breeds of cows, pigs, poultry and sheep.

The land is worked with shire horses and vintage farm machines including steam. Milking is by hand, butter is made in the dairy and the resident blacksmith and wheelwright ply their trade. A full programme of events and activities include many other rural crafts with opportunities for you to ‘try your hand’.

Our agricultural history is also celebrated just south of the town at the Wernlas Collection. Signposted off the A49 near Onibury, it is said to hold the largest collection of historic and rare breed poultry in the UK.

If you want to sample some of the authentic tastes of the past visit one of the local butchers back in town where you will find ‘this week’s deliveries from local farms’ listed on a blackboard. Enjoy a taste of Gloucester Old Spots, Longhorns or the Shropshire Hills sheep and wash it all down with a glass of local ale from the Corvedale Brewery or the Wood Brewery, home of the renowned Shropshire Lad.

Craven arms Facts

Tourist Information Point - located at Secret Hills - Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre - www.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/discover.nsf or 01588 676000.
Information on Craven Arms - www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/craven-arms
Stokesay Castle - For general information visit www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/castles/stokesay
For events and re-enactments go to; www.english-heritage.org.uk or Tel: 01588 672544
Secret Hills - Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre - www.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/discover.nsf or Tel: 01588 676000
Land of Lost Content - www.lolc.org.uk or Tel: 01588 676176
Mickey Miller's Playbarn & Crazy Maize Maze - www.mickeymillers.com or Tel: 01588 640403
Four Secret Hills Walks - Riverside Ramble, Wart Hill Wander, Hills & Dales Hike, Three Woods Walk and cycle routes. (Leaflets available from Secret Hills Discovery Centre). For guided walks advance booking on Tel: 01588 676011 is recommended.
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm - www.actonscottmuseum.co.uk or Tel: 01694 781306/781307
Wednesday is traditionally early closing day.
Secret Hills Shuttle Bus - a green and easy way to access the countryside - www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk or 01588 673888.
Passport - Look out for this discount voucher at participating attractions.
Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural beauty - http://www.shropshirehills.info/

For more information about Shropshire, including Accommodation, Atrractions and Activities, visit Shropshire Tourism