Planned Itinerary Day 1: Arrival Day Your leader will give you an introductory talk about your holiday.

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1 Enjoy this scenic section of the Shropshire Way en route to historic Ludlow, the most southerly point of the trail. This rewarding week of walking 52 miles (83km) through the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, explores unspoilt, tranquil countryside, hills with views across the Marches and quaint medieval towns and villages. Trail Grading This Guided Walking/Hiking Trail is graded 3 which involves walks/hikes on welldefined paths, though often in hilly or upland areas, or along rugged footpaths. These may be rough and steep in sections, and will require a good level of fitness. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the relevant fitness and equipment required to join this holiday. Fitness We want you to be confident that you can meet the demands of each walking day and get the most out of your holiday. Please be sure you can manage the mileage and ascent detailed in the daily itineraries. It is important for your own enjoyment, and that of your fellow guests that you can maintain the pace. It makes a lot of sense to spend time getting some additional exercise before your holiday. We suggest that you try to fit in a number of longer walks, including some on hilly terrain. Other exercises such as cycling, jogging and swimming are also excellent for developing increased stamina. All walking days listed below involve minibus or local transport between the walking route and your accommodation and this is included in your holiday price. Planned Itinerary Day 1: Arrival Day Your leader will give you an introductory talk about your holiday. Day 2: Church Stretton to Bridges We begin by walking above Church Stretton, down into the heathland of historic Carding Mill Valley then up onto the hog s back of Long Mynd, via Motts Road, to join the ancient Portway and walk amongst the heather. Ascending Betchcott Hill, we then head down Golden Valley to Ratlinghope and on to Bridges, an old staging post with its Inn. 7 miles (11km) with 1,100 feet (330m) of ascent. Day 3: Bridges to Bishop s Castle From Bridges, we head northwest to join a rugged path along the Stiperstones ridge and ascend to the Devil s Chair. These ancient geological formations are steeped in folklore and are the reputed resting place of Wild Edric, a Saxon noble who fought against the Normans. There have been settlements in the area from at least as far back as the Bronze Age, right up to those for local mining which ended here in the 1950s. We head over Linley Hill, walk by the small hamlets of More and Lydham (with their Motte and Bailey castles) into the charming village of Bishop s Castle. 12 miles (19km) with 1,775 feet (532m) of ascent. Day 4: Rest Day A day without any walks programmed, giving you the opportunity to explore the local area independently Day 5: Bishop s Castle to Clun Starting at Bishop s Castle, we head west along ancient drovers ways, to join a section of the Offa s Dyke Path at Churchtown. We are now in wild Marches country and head on around Hergan Hill to walk down Cefns (Welsh for ridge ), with great, unspoilt views

2 all around. We end the day in Clun, which is Shropshire s smallest town. If there is time we may have a chance to view the ruins of Clun Castle miles (18.5km) with 1,575 feet (472m) of ascent. Day 6: Clun to Craven Arms Heading northeast out of Clun, we ascend Sunnyhill, walking over the ancient fortifications of the Bury Ditches Iron Age hillfort. We continue east, through Kempton and the timeless village of Hopesay. Ascending Hopesay Hill, we then head down into the Victorian railway town of Craven Arms, ending the day at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre miles (18.5km) with 1,575 feet (472m) of ascent. Day 7: Craven Arms to Ludlow Heading south from Craven Arms we pass Stokesay Castle, a beautiful and incredibly well preserved 13th century fortified manor house. We head up the old carriageway of Aldon Gutter, before eventually descending down to where the River Onney joins the River Teme, at Bromfield. From here, we continue through Oakly Park with the best views of Ludlow Castle, our final and fitting destination. The bustling black and white market town of Ludlow just begs to be explored described by Sir John Betjeman as The most perfect town in England miles (17km) with 800 feet (240m) of ascent in a day. Day 8: Departure Day In the evenings After a sociable evening meal, you can join in an organised activity such as a quiz or a talk about the local area, relax in the bar or use the Country House facilities. The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the leader with regard to the weather and other external factors Trail Leader Our experienced and knowledgeable volunteer leaders undergo a thorough assessment to lead you on your Guided Walking/Hiking Trail and will also be delighted to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with you. What to wear To enjoy walking/hiking comfortably and safely, footwear, clothing and equipment needs to be suitable for the conditions. Safety is our priority and Britain is famous for its changeable weather, so our advice is to come prepared for all eventualities. Footwear with a good grip on the sole (e.g. Vibram sole) is the key to avoiding accidents. Walking/hiking boots providing ankle support and good grip are recommended (ideally worn in), and specialist walking socks to avoid blisters. Several layers of clothing, which can be added or removed, are better than a single layer (include spares). Fabrics (lightweight and fast drying) designed for the outdoors are recommended. Waterproof jacket and waterproof over trousers are essential and a warm hat and gloves are useful additions. Gaiters are an optional but

3 useful extra. Denim jeans and capes are not suitable on any walks. What to bring Rucksack with a waterproof liner, thermos flask for hot drink, water bottle (at least 1 litre) and spare high-energy food such as a chocolate bar. Small torch (particularly in spring, autumn and winter) and first aid kit your leader s first aid kit doesn t contain any medication or blister kits (such as Compeed). Walking poles are useful, particularly for descents. Insect repellent, sun hat, sunglasses and protection cream and camera are all optional extras you may choose to bring. Ticks Ticks are tiny creatures that live in vegetation and can attach themselves to passing animals or walkers and may carry a risk of Lyme Disease. Please refer to NHS advice and guidelines for information prior to your holiday. Please ensure you complete and hand in your registration form on arrival and let the leader know about any medical problems you may have. This may be useful in the event of a problem on the walk and will be treated confidentially by the leader. On the walk We try to create a relaxed atmosphere on the walk but please listen to safety instructions from your leader. Keep members of the group in view especially when weather or visibility is poor. If you leave the group, then your leader will no longer have responsibility for you. Our leaders consider the safety of the group as a whole and are likely to be more cautious over potential risks such as bad weather. In the event of a problem If you become separated from the party please stay where you are. Your leader will retrace their steps to find you. All our leaders carry a mobile phone, group shelter, spare maps and a compass. In the unlikely event your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack. Call the emergency services (call 999 in the UK, or 112 overseas). Please then try to call the hotel where you are staying to let them know there is a problem. Maps and Guides Your trail leader will carry all the necessary maps and guides. For you own interest you may consider buying or looking at the following: Harvey Maps 1:40,000 map Shropshire Way (2011) and Shropshire Great Outdoors website: walking/the-shropshire-way/ Accommodation Longmynd House Cunnery Road Church Stretton Shropshire SY6 6AG Tel: +44 (0) chuchstretton@hfholidays.co.uk Grid reference: SO Your room will be ready from 2.30pm onwards (1pm for premium rooms). Afternoon tea will be provided on all arrival days so you can meet with your fellow guests. If you need assistance carrying your luggage to your room, please speak to the House Manager when you arrive for this to be arranged. Facilities The bedrooms all have their individual layout and character and you ll find a TV with digital radio, hair dryer, towels and tea and coffee making facilities. On your departure day

4 kindly vacate your bedroom by 10am. The spacious public rooms at Longmynd House make the most of the views and include a lounge and dining room. There s also a licensed bar, open throughout your stay, with steps down to the terrace and outdoor swimming pool (open in summer). The boot and drying room is available to store your boots and to dry wet outdoor clothing. Secure cycle storage is also available. WiFi is accessible in all public areas of the house. Due to the area in which the house is located, the mobile phone signal is patchy. Fabulous food All holidays at our Country Houses are full board, from evening meal on arrival to breakfast on the day of your departure. There s a vegetarian option at all meals and we cater for gluten free diets. For this and any other dietary requirements, please contact the House Manager before the start of your holiday. Travel By car For those with satellite navigation, enter the postcode SY6 6AG. Follow the A49 to Church Stretton. At the traffic lights turn off the A49 into the town (turn right if you are heading south from Shrewsbury, or turn left if you are heading north from Ludlow). At the end of the road turn left at the T-junction into the High Street. Go straight over the mini roundabout, and then take the next right into Cunnery Road. Follow the road up a steep hill and around a hairpin bend. Longmynd House is at the top of the hill on the left hand side. Visit your holiday page on our website for a map. Car parking Free parking is available in the grounds. No responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage to guests property or vehicles. We advise not to leave valuables in cars. By rail The nearest train station to Longmynd House is in Church Stretton. For train times and general rail enquiries visit or call If you are phoning from outside the UK call Longmynd House is about 1 mile from the station, but is situated at the top of a very steep hill with no pathways. Taxis are therefore recommended, but this is a rural area and taxis are not readily available, particularly between 2pm and 4.30pm. Our station transfers We offer a reduced price transfer between Church Stretton railway station and Longmynd House every Friday and Monday. The pickup is at 3.15pm from Church Stretton railway station. On departure day the transfer will get you back to Church Stretton station for 9.15am or 9.45am or 10.15am. The transfer is 7 return, but a place must be reserved at least 7 days in advance by calling our Holiday Services team on Station transfers by taxi If you can t meet our station transfer, you can arrange your own taxi. There may be taxis at the station (not between 2pm and 4.30pm) or if you would prefer to pre-book your taxi we have negotiated a preferential rate with Alan s Cab. Please be aware that Alan s Cab is based in Craven Arms and will therefore charge a premium for the journey to Church Stretton. He will arrange shared taxis wherever possible. To book a transfer please phone or Alan s Cab Tel: +44 (0) Mobile: +44 (0) alanbrough207@btinternet.com Alan s Cab is not owned or managed by HF Holidays. The return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the House team.

5 Travel Insurance Travel and any other personal insurance relevant to your holiday is recommended to all our guests. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the information in this guide may change after it has been printed. For the most up-to-date information please see our website or use the contacts below. Local rate (Standard rate +44 (0) )