Wild hills
Old roads
Very good pubs
Birchope sits deep within one of England’s most distinctive rural landscapes, where wild hills and ancient tracks give way to tiny villages, market towns, castles and country pubs.
There is enough here to fill every day, but very little that demands an itinerary. Walk straight from the door, climb the Stiperstones, cross the Long Mynd, wander around a medieval town or simply set off in search of lunch somewhere lovely.
This is countryside best explored slowly - on foot where possible, with muddy boots encouraged and plenty of time for an unnecessary detour.
Walk into the hills
Walking is part of life at Birchope. Three public footpaths meet at the property, so you can leave the car exactly where it is and head straight into the landscape.
The Stiperstones rise nearby, their ancient quartzite ridge broken by extraordinary rocky tors and the unmistakable Devil’s Chair. Beyond them are the Long Mynd, Nipstone Rock, Caer Caradoc and mile upon mile of paths, bridleways and old routes across the hills.
You don’t need to arrive knowing which walk to do. Our favourite routes, maps and local recommendations will be waiting at Birchope - from a couple of hours outside to a proper day in the hills.
Country pubs & local tables
Some days should be organised around where you’re going to eat.
Walk across the hills to The Bridges at Ratlinghope for lunch or a pint, find a tiny village pub tucked away down a country lane, or head further afield for the restaurants and food shops of Ludlow and Shrewsbury.
This is exceptionally good food country too: independent butchers and bakers, farm shops, local producers, historic breweries and even a Shropshire vineyard producing its own English sparkling wine.
Come hungry.
Market towns & curious places
The towns around Birchope are small enough to wander and individual enough to make the journey worthwhile.
Bishop’s Castle is colourful, independent and pleasingly eccentric, with pubs, galleries, independent shops and a brewing tradition stretching back centuries. Seek out The Poetry Pharmacy, where poetry is prescribed for the human condition - browse the shelves, stop for coffee and leave with something you didn’t know you needed.
Clun is smaller and sleepier, gathered around its ancient bridge and the ruins of Clun Castle, while Church Stretton sits beneath the Long Mynd, with the hills rising almost immediately from the town.
Then there is Ludlow - one of England’s great historic food towns, with medieval streets, its castle and market, independent shops and enough good food to happily lose a day to.
And for a little more bustle, Shrewsbury brings Tudor streets, independent shops and cafés, with the River Severn meandering around its historic centre.
No two are quite alike - and that is rather the point
Castles, stone circles & echoes of the past
People have been leaving their mark on this landscape for thousands of years.
Follow ancient ridgeways and old routes through the hills, walk out towards the prehistoric stone circle at Mitchell’s Fold, or spend a day exploring the remarkable castles scattered across the border country.
Ludlow, Stokesay, Clun, Hopton, Montgomery and Powis are all within reach - medieval ruins, fortified manor houses, great gardens and centuries of history woven into the landscape.
See the hills differently
The landscape isn’t only for walking.
Ride the bridleways across the Long Mynd and through the Shropshire Hills, where miles of open country, ancient tracks and sweeping views make exploring on horseback rather special. Cycle quiet lanes or take to the mountain-bike trails. Run the ridges. Or take to the air: the Long Mynd has a long association with gliding and paragliding, with aircraft soaring above the escarpment on rising air.
Private clay shooting can also be arranged for guests who fancy something rather more country-house.
Or do very little
There is, of course, another option
Wake slowly. Make coffee. Watch the birds. Walk until you're hungry and find a pub for lunch. Read for three hours. Paint badly. Watch clouds move across the valley. Sit outside, soak in the bath, as the sun sets in front of you.
There is plenty to do around Birchope.
The luxury is knowing that you don't have to do any of it