2024 Shuttle Bus

Our weekend Shuttle Bus starts on Saturday 25th May 2024

and is running every weekend

until Sunday 8th September. 

We look forward to welcoming you on board.

photograph of the Shuttle Bus parked on the Long Mynd with view of the hills

“Absolutely fantastic service on the shuttle buses from Church Stretton. Great stops at Stiperstones etc – knowledgeable and friendly drivers.  well done!!!  A very happy day for us.”

2024 Timetable

Route description

The bus climbs the Long Mynd with its panoramic views of the hills from Snowdonia in the north to the Malvern Hills in the southeast. The view from the bus is exceptional, and not without thrills, with sheer drops on both sides of the road. From the Mynd, the bus descends to the charming villages of Ratlinghope and Wentnor, passing some of the finest pubs in the area. From here it climbs again to pass the jagged tors and purple heather of the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve and the Bog, with its unique community run visitor centre in the restored Victorian school. From here it’s a winding road that threads along the edge of the Stiperstones, passing the Stiperstones Inn, famed locally for its excellent Sunday lunches. A few miles on, it turns at Snailbeach Mine Heritage Site to return to Church Stretton.

The route provides exceptional opportunities for walking, wildlife watching, exploring local history and site seeing. Its last stop brings you into Carding Mill Valley one of the National Trust’s most popular and welcoming places. As you would expect, it has an excellent tearoom!


2024 Ticketing

  • Adult single ticket start at £2
  • Adult Day Rover £6, (allows you to hop on and off any service, all day)
  • Child Day Rover £3 (allows you to hop on and off any service, all day)
  • Family Day Rover (2 adults + up to 3 children) £12.00, additional child £3
  • Season ticket £50 (allowing unlimited travel throughout the season)

     


Support

40 is the magic number!

We have set ourselves the target of 40 passengers a day to make the service sustainable for the longer term. Please help us achieve this by using the bus, and telling your friends, family and visitors about it. Please let us know what you think of the new service too by commenting on our Facebook site (Shrophillsnlcontacting us through the website.

You can also donate through our Shuttle Bus Supporter Scheme and help with passenger research and promotion.

The buses are managed by the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team, with funding support from Shropshire Council, and operated by local bus company Boultons Coaches.  For further information please contact us.

Popular shuttle stops & walks

Carding Mill Valley The National Trust looks after much of the Long Mynd. Carding Mill Valley is the ideal starting point to find out about the wildlife, history and conservation work on the Mynd. Events and activities are held throughout the year and lots of walks start here.

Church Stretton Set in the heart of the hills.  There are plenty of cafes and interesting shops, including a huge antiques emporium, to browse. Lots of walks start/finish in Church Stretton, which is designated as a Walkers are Welcome town.

Wentnor & circular walk - pretty village with the Long Mynd as it's backdrop.  Two pubs and camp site close by.

  • 6.6 mile circular walk, time 3 hours, moderate difficulty.  This walk takes you to the scenic beauty of Linley Beeches, a row of ancient beech trees planted by French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic War. With an eye on the time, you should make it back in time for a late lunch, but you might want to take some food with you.  Catch the Shuttle at 1535 from Wentnor Church for a tour of the Stiperstones and northern end of the Mynd, getting back to Church Stretton at 1715.  Alternatively hop off again at Bridges at 1547 and have a drink whilst the bus heads off to complete its outward journey and collects you on its way back an hour later at 1645.

 

Shooting Box, Long Mynd & walks

  • 2 mile walk into Carding Mill Valley. Use the Shuttle Bus to climb onto the Long Mynd and enjoy the down hill walk with breathtaking views.
  • 5 mile walk to Bridges. Jump off at Shooting Box and follow the Portway heading north to join the Shropshire Way, route 8 to Bridges. At Bridges, catch the Shuttle Bus back to Church Stretton.

Bridges, Ratlinghope & walksThe Shuttle Bus stops next to the River Onny and outside the popular Bridges Country Pub (open from noon). There is also a Youth Hostel at Bridges.

The last bus from Bridges departs at 1645 to return to Church Stretton.

Stiperstones National Nature Reserve & walks
This is a wild and atmospheric landscape. The Ordovician ‘Stiperstones Quartzite’, which makes up the ridge was shattered during the last ice age to create the jagged, boulder-strewn landscape seen today.

  • Walk from the Reserve to the Bog Visitor Centre and enjoy a slice of homemade cake whilst you wait for the Shuttle Bus. To do this, go through the Reserve gate (which leads up to the Stiperstones ridge) and follow the grassy path on the left which skirts around the ridge. This eventually leads you to a junction – turn left (right leads you up onto the ridge). Go through the gate on the left to reach the road. Cross the road and follow the waymarkers across the field to another gate. Entre the next field and head straight down, following an old hedgeline. Go through the kissing gate and follow path down to the Bog Mine and Visitor Centre.
  • Stiperstones Butterfly Trail - leaflet to download. An 8-mile circular walk with short cuts.  If starting from this Shuttle stop, start from point 9 in the leaflet!

The Bog Mine and Visitor Centre & walks A warm welcome awaits, along with homemade cakes, local crafts and displays on the wildlife and history of the area.  The following walks start from this Shuttle stop:

  • 4.5 mile Flenny Bank Walk. A shorter walk through scattered mining remains to Shelve, Flenny Back and back.
  • 5.5 mile Bog & Stiperstones Walk. Walk walk along the edge of the Stiperstones to Shelve and Flenny Bank.
  • 6 mile Mucklewick Walk. This walk leads you through quiet borderland onto Mucklewick Hill and through Nipstone Nature Reserve.
  • Nipstone Nature Reserve – stop at the Bog Visitor Centre. The volunteers at the Centre will be able to point you in the right direction for this nature reserve. You want to be heading south on a small lane from the Centre. Look out for the alpaca’s grazing in the fields on your right. The entrance to Nipstone is ahead on your left.


Stiperstones Village & walks Stop here for the popular Stiperstones Inn and village shop.