Our Top 5 Reasons to Live in Shropshire
In this blog, we give our top 5 reasons for living in the spectacular county of Shropshire at our stunning Residential Park, Presthope Grange.
Marked as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and connecting the Midlands to the Welsh mountains, the Shropshire County is a popular place to live, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet with its stunning landscape, rich history and spectacular Shropshire hills walks and views.
One: Walking In Shropshire
Walking in Shropshire is simply stunning and those who love to explore the great outdoors on foot will feel right at home. Just metres away from Presthope Grange, you’ll find the beautiful Wenlock Edge, 18 miles of a limestone escarpment with renowned sites for geology. With flower-rich grasslands and historic woodland, ancient quarries and lime kilns along the way, it’s certainly a spectacular walking route of which the National Trust owns and maintains 8 miles.
For walks in the Shropshire hills, head to the charming town of Church Stretton, where you can find the National Trust’s Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd, offering fantastic walking trails along with breath-taking views of the scenery of Shropshire. With facilities including a tearoom, toilets and car parking, you can set off on your way, whether it be on the walking paths, with your bike or even by horse. Take your picnic for a delightful day out, take a dip in the stream, watch the birds or just enjoy being within nature.
Two: Transport Links from Shropshire to the City
If you still desire the buzz of the city, just 25 minutes away you can get a direct train from Shrewsbury into London, Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff, so rest assured, you can still get your city-fix with the lively atmosphere of bars and restaurants and many shops to choose from!
Plus, what’s better, you can return home to the tranquillity and harmony of the Shropshire countryside and get a good night’s sleep without the noise of traffic or people passing by.
Three: 3. Historic Landmarks in Shropshire
Shropshire has many sites and landmarks of historic interest. In Much Wenlock itself, you’ll find the ruins of Wenlock Priory, where an Anglo-Saxon Monastery was founded in 680 by King Merewalh of Mercia and later re-founded by the Normans as a priory of Cluniac monks. This is what remains today and can be visited by booking via English Heritage.
Get a glimpse into the past of the medieval society at Ludlow Castle, where you’ll find ancient ruins and the houses of kings, queens, judges and princes. Founded as a Royal Castle for over 350 years, since 1811 the castle has been owned by the Earls of Powis and sees many festivals throughout the year.
Venture back in time with the Severn Valley Railway, operating steam trains on a 16-mile heritage line running from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster. With seasonal events, on-train dining, afternoon tea and much more, this is a great experience for all to enjoy time and time again.
Four: Museums in Shropshire
There are museums a plenty in Shropshire. The Royal Air Force Museum just outside of Wolverhampton, is a fantastic free air museum with spectacular displays of aircraft and exhibits, as well as stories from those who served in the RAF. The museum aims to inspire and give people an insight into the RAF with past, present and future stories and collections.
In the old Victorian Music Hall and 13th Century Vaughan’s Mansion is Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, located in the town square. With five main galleries, as well as insights into the Roman, Medieval, Tudor and Stuart eras from pre-history to modern-day, it offers a family friendly day out for all. Courses, workshops, film showings, holiday activities and more are offered at the Gallery, as well as a delightful café.
Museums in Ironbridge include the Ironbridge Valley of Invention with award-winning museums stretching along the River Severn, including the iconic Ironbridge Gorge Museum, a World Heritage site renowned as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
Plus, many more museums in the area!
Five: Towns and Villages in the Shropshire County
Much Wenlock is a small close-knit market town housed throughout medieval Georgian and Victorian buildings, with independent and local shops, pubs and places to eat, as well as a family butchers, post office, medical practice, dentist, vets and pharmacy.
Locally, there’s the quaint village of Ironbridge, where you can enjoy walks along the River Severn, mooch around the independent shops or visit the Ironbridge Gorge Museum.
Shrewsbury is steeped in history with 660 listed buildings, it’s Tudor centre and half-timbered houses, along with Shrewsbury Abbey and the Castle to explore and a riverfront park well known for its vibrant flower gardens.
The beautiful town of Bridgnorth features England’s Oldest and Steepest Inland Electric Funicular Railway connecting the High and Low towns – definitely a must visit!
