Secret Hills - 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.