On the border of England and Wales, the stunning county of Shropshire is one of the most beautiful in the UK. A verdant idyll with deeply-entrenched history and soul-stirring landscapes, it flourishes natural and architectural wonders at every turn. From dreamy distilleries to the world-famous Iron Bridge to jaw-dropping walks, it’s simply overflowing with wonderful attractions and hidden secrets.
To help you unearth some of the county’s finest activities, we’ve collated some of the best unique things to do in Shropshire. Whether you can’t wait to raft along serpentine rivers, indulge in soothing spa days or savour unmissable dining experiences, there’s something for every agenda.
Explore Attingham Park Estate
Attingham Park in Shrewsbury is home to two hundred acres of grounds and parkland, at the centre of which is an impressive Georgian Mansion. Proposing a wealth of things to do, its manicured acreages feature a picturesque walled garden and orchard, pleasure grounds, natural play area, deer park and more. Explore the grounds of the estate along one of the many walking trails, including the peaceful river reflections walk and wildlife walk to savour doses of wilderness. Or, on inclement days, head inside the mansion to discover its historical quarters and ‘hidden rooms’ for a fascinating wander through time. With both permanent and temporary exhibitions, there’s always something interesting to see and learn for a unique day out in Shropshire.
Sample and Tour at Shropshire Distillery
Gin tours and tastings are some of the delightful things you can look forward to at Shropshire Distillery. A husband-and-wife-run distillery in Ellesmere, it was founded in 2018 on an ethos of love, infusing care and creativity into every process and bottle. Quickly rising the ranks of the gin world, Shropshire Distillery now has a range of award-winning gins on its shelves, the delicious tastes of which you can sample during a guided distillery tour. Join up for a meet and greet with the owners, a behind the scenes tour of the distillery, and the chance to try signature gin and tonics. For an extra splash of fun, you can also partake in cocktail masterclasses.
Watch a Show at Theatre Severn
Theatre Severn sets the stage for incredible live performances to enjoy during a Shropshire sojourn. In the heart of the cultural and historical town of Shrewsbury, it carries on a fantastic theatrical tradition that has seen audiences flock to the town for centuries. Promising a broad and eclectic line up, its programme of events spans the year and offers everything from comedy to dance to music and more. Hosting well-known and up-and-coming artists from near and far, it truly has something for everyone, so you can look forward to something to perfectly pique your interests and keep you gripped, captivated and entertained.
Explore the Relics of Titterstone Clee Hill
If you are looking for a unique thing to do in Shropshire that takes you a little off the beaten track, then pop Titterstone Clee Hill on your list of places to visit. Following worn paths and sections of the two-hundred-mile Shropshire Way, you can enjoy a brilliant four and a half mile circular walk that leads you to the top of the hill, the third highest point in Shropshire. As well as its incredible views on clear days, what makes Titterstone Clee Hill a particularly interesting destination are its intriguing remains of old quarry buildings and earthworks. Blending with the surrounding landscapes in abstract formation, they inspire intrigue and mark a legacy of human industry that dates all the way back to the Bronze Age.
Dine with Wild Shropshire
Recommended by the Michelin guide for its field-to-fork dining, Wild Shropshire offers a truly unique dining experience. Located in Whitchurch, this fabulous foodie establishment rustles up terroir-led dishes governed by the seasons, with ingredients sourced from local producers and growers in the region. Promising an unforgettable culinary journey, the set up at Wild Shropshire focuses on multi-course tasting experiences of around three hours which include a selection of nine to ten small dishes. Changing each day, there’s no menu as such - you can simply expect the very best fare sourced that day, finely crafted and served in a relaxed, informal setting.
Visit Ludlow Fringe Festival
A family favourite, Ludlow’s Fringe Festival is held in the grounds of Ludlow Castle and around the town and runs for two weeks across June and early July. A flurry of colour and activity, this independent arts, community and culture festival promises everything from street artists to live bands to author talks and more, and has included many famous faces, including Dame Judi Dench, Jasper Carrott, and Alistair McGowan. If you are looking for unique things to do in Shropshire throughout the rest of the year, keep an eye on Ludlow’s events and festivals. Supporting a programme of both one-off and annual events that grow bigger and better every year, Ludlow’s line-up has something for everyone.
Wine Tasting at Hencote Vineyard
One of the country’s leading vineyards, Hencote harnesses the authentic characteristics of Shropshire’s terroir to grow 23,000 vines, twisting and tumbling along verdant rows. Tending to every vine by hand and committing to an as-organic-as-possible approach to viniculture, the team here pride themselves on their award-winning wines that have deservedly achieved international attention. For the best introduction to Hencote and to sample fine wines, head over for a vineyard tour. Providing you with the chance to soak up the magnificent setting and learn about the complex process undertaken to achieve such incredible beverages, these tours deliver a whole new perspective on the world of wine and, of course, the chance to pick up a bottle or few.
Savour a Spa Day Fishmore Hall
Fishmore Hall’s idyllic spa sits within private grounds overlooking the Shropshire countryside and Clee Hills beyond. A place to rebalance, replenish and revive, it offers a range of high-quality spa and wellbeing treatments and packages. And, as well as its relaxing treatment rooms, the spa also has a steam room, sauna and outdoor heated hot tub. Choose from an array of face and body treatments and massages and soak in the alfresco hot tub to savour moments of serenity. To extend your experience, you can also indulge in a delicious afternoon tea or bistro meal from the hotel restaurant, accompanied by a glass of something special.
Kayak the River Severn
For a wonderful way to experience the stunning natural beauty of Shropshire, why not take to the water with Shropshire Raft Tours? An experienced outfit offering both guided river tours and equipment hire, Shropshire Raft Tours invite for hours of exploration. An especially novel way to enjoy the river setting, their self-led canoe outings include a seven-mile paddle down the River Severn, taking between two and four hours to complete depending on how leisurely your pace is. To make your experience as smooth as possible, tour guides drop you off at your starting point in Coalport, part of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, and collect you at your end destination of Severn Bark in Bridgnorth.
Picnic Atop the Wrekin
Situated to the north of the Shropshire Hills, the Wrekin is a well-known sight amongst locals and Shropshire-admirers alike. Attracting wayfarers for thousands of years, the hill’s human history dates as far as back as 1,000BC, with evidence of Celtic Cornovii and Roman inhabitation. Even today, you can still see the remains of an old Iron Age hillfort atop the hill. For a rejuvenating breath of fresh air, incredible views and the chance to retrace the footsteps of time, gather up a bag and head to the Wrekin to hike to the top. From the summit, it’s said that you can see across seventeen counties and two countries on clear days.
Go Back in Time at Stokesay Castle
One of our top places to visit in the Shropshire Hills National Landscape, Stokesay Castle was first built in the thirteenth century by Laurence of Ludlow, one of the richest men in England during his time. Today, you can still see the castle, one of the best-preserved medieval manor houses in the UK, and its incredible seventeenth century gatehouse, which are both managed by English Heritage. Vying for attention as the most eye-catching of the buildings, the gatehouse boasts an incredible sunshine-yellow façade decorated with exposed timber beams in striking, geometric patterns. Step through and get ready to immerse yourself in living history, relishing the wealth of original features and visiting the untouched Great Hall - unchanged for more than seven hundred years.
Inspired to try a unique activity in Shropshire? Take a look at our luxury cottage collection.
