Middle Farm is a working farm situated at 1000 feet on the slopes of the Long Mynd, 4 miles from Church Stretton, a flourishing market town boasting a host of specialist shops: delicatessens, a toy shop, book shops, a traditional gentleman's outfitters, unusual gift shops, a large antique centre and an outdoor clothing shop. The town nestles in a deep valley formed by the Long Mynd and the Caradoc hills. These heather-covered hills provide excellent walking country, the Long Mynd being dissected by deep valleys such as Carding Mill Valley, Ashes Hollow and Callow Hollow. It is a wildlife haven with buzzards circling the Long Mynd and Red Grouse hiding in the heather. The pure water running off the Long Mynd hills has been bottled and sold far and wide since the 1880s. A brisk climb up Caer Caradoc, also the site of Iron Age Hill Fort, is rewarded by fine panoramic views over the Shropshire Plain. Much of the area (over 5000 acres) is managed by the National Trust which has a popular visitor centre in Carding Mill Valley.

Middle Farm's 350 acres offer opportunities for many picturesque walks and it is possible to walk up over the farm straight on to the magnifacent Long Mynd. If you fancy a bird's eye view of the area, gliding is on offer at the West Midlands Gliding Club on the Long Mynd or take a relaxing round of golf on the hilly local 18 hole course. Cycling and horse riding and are also available nearby.

Close by lie many places of interest for those not wanting such an active vacation: Acton Burnell Castle, Acton Scott Historic Working Farm and the charming 13th C Stokesay Castle are only a few miles away; the historic market towns of Shrewsbury and Ludlow, with their picturesque Tudor buildings, 900 year old castles and abundance of top quality restaurants and shops are nearby; and Ironbridge, the birthplace of the industrial revolution and now a World Heritage site, is less than 20 miles away.

View from the Long Mynd

Carding Mill Valley

Acton Burnell Castle

Tourist Information

A TIC is situated next to the library, in Church Street, Church Stretton and is open 10am - 1pm, 2 - 5pm, from Easter to 30th September Tel. 01694 723133. In winter the library runs a restricted information service or you can contact Ludlow TIC Tel. 01584 875053. Tourist information is also available from the Outdoor Depot, in Sandford Avenue, and from All Stretton Village Stores all year round. The tourism and town websites www.churchstrettontourism.co.uk and www.churchstretton.co.uk are also useful resources.

Getting About

Shropshire Hills Shuttles:
Running from Easter to October, the shuttles provide access to the beautiful hills of South Shropshire.
Web: www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk

Buses:
There are regular services between Church Stretton and its neighbouring towns and villages. Contact TESS Tel. 01588 673888 or visit the website www.tess.org.uk for timetable details.

Rail:
The station is situated in Church Stretton town centre and is regularly served by Wales and Border Trains. Contact Wales and Border Trains for more information. Tel. 0845 6061660 Web: www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk.

National Rail Enquiries: Tel. 08457 484950
Web: www.rail.co.uk/ukrail/planner/planner.htm

Useful OS maps:
Explorer Series (Orange), 1:25,000 The Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge. Sheet 217
Landranger Series (Purple) 1:50,000 Ludlow and Wenlock Edge Sheet 137

Shropshire Hills Shuttle Bus

View From Hazler Hill

Useful sites

www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk A great site with lots of info about Shropshire's countryside and wildlife
www.churchstretton.co.uk Town site
www.shropshiretourism.info Informative site on tourism for Shropshire
www.southshropshire.org.uk Informative site on South Shropshire
Information about many of the historical sites in Shropshire can be found at www.english-heritage.org.uk and www.nationaltrust.co.uk
www.shropshireramblers.org.uk A useful site for walkers in the area
www.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/discover.nsf The Secret Hills Discovery Centre is a new centre for walkers, only a few miles away in Craven Arms.

Carding Mill Valley

Much Wenlock Priory