Routes
There are three Shuttle routes, giving you the chance to explore this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; from hills and valleys to towns and villages. They have been designed so you can get on and off the bus throughout the day, go walking, visit an attraction or have lunch in a country pub. Buy a Day Rover ticket at the start of the day and you can travel on all three Shuttle bus routes. All Shuttles meet up at Bridges, by the Horseshoe Inn, allowing you to swap buses and explore the other areas.
Overview map of the Shuttles Routes
Overview Map of the Shuttles Routes
The Long Mynd Shuttle
The Shuttle departs from Carding Mill Valley and Church Stretton and travels up the Burway, emerging onto the Long Mynd plateau. Heather carpets the Mynd and is a glorious colour in late summer. Listen for the skylarks, pipits and red grouse which breed up here, and watch the sky for circling buzzards and ravens. Ancient tracks and pathways criss-cross the plateau, providing wonderful walks to suit every age and ability. The National Trust manages most of the Long Mynd, striking a delicate balance between conservation, agriculture and visitor enjoyment.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION :
Church Stretton www.churchstretton.co.uk
Enjoy a leisurely stroll around this picturesque town set in the heart of the hills and dubbed ’little Switzerland‘. 
Cafes, crafts and antique shops to tempt you.
Hop on the Shuttle bus at Church Stretton for a scenic journey to over the top of the The Long Mynd. You can catch the Shuttle bus at two different stops in Church Stretton - Carding Mill Valley or Beaumont Road.
Carding Mill Valley www.cardingmillvalley.com
The Long Mynd is managed by the National Trust. Find out more about the Shropshire Hills by visiting the National Trust tea rooms, shop and information centre. Events and activities take place here throughout the year and many walks start or finish in the valley. Catch the bus here for the Shooting Box walk. A single fare to the top of the Long Mynd is just £1.00 for adults and 50p for children.
Once aboard you will be driven up the ancient route of the Burway. Opening out below you is Carding Mill Valley which today attracts in the region of 250,000 visitors a year. It derives its name from the carding mills built in the valley to prepare wool for spinning. The site of the top car park was, until the 1960s, a millpond and popular swimming spot.
Below you on the right as you pass Devils Mouth (wonderful views across to Brown Clee, with Church Stretton nestling in the valley), is the 12 million gallon reservoir dating from 1902. This was built to further the aims of Church Stretton to be a growing and fashionable spa town.
The Long Mynd is crossed by many ancient tracks and paths, some as old as Neolithic times. Today there are over 50 km (30 miles) of routes to suit all abilities. Many of these routes intersect with the routes of the Shuttles. Use the bus to get to the start of, or back from, the end of a walk. See the leaflet “Walks on the Long Mynd” (£1.00 National Trust) for full details.
As the road starts to level out on top of the plateau, the huge 
expanse of this heather covered wilderness can be seen. The landscape today is the result of a number of uses in the past. Prehistoric times saw The Long Mynd cleared for farming. Since those days, agriculture has remained, with stock grazing freely for hundreds of years under ancient commoners’ rights. In the 1980s and 90s, the levels of sheep were threatening the survival of many local plants and their associated wildlife. Bilberry and heather, birds such as Red Grouse rely on the unique environment here for survival. The National Trust is today charged with the management of the different interests on the hill. A balance is being struck between the needs of the environment, agriculture and the 150,000 visitors a year who venture up to the top of the plateau. By riding on this bus you are playing your own small part in this balancing act. Fewer car journeys into the area mean less pollution, both airborne and visual.
You now journey past the Boiling Well, site of one of the many natural springs on The Long Mynd. From here you can walk to the high point of The Long Mynd, Pole Bank, where with good visibility, it is possible to see the Brecon Beacons and Cader Idris. You may see gliders in the sky! They are from the Mildlands Gliding Club who are based on the Long Mynd - Amy Johnson was once a member of the club. The bus will travel to the Shooting Box. Leave the bus here for a walk to the top of the Mynd, or back down to Carding Mill Valley. If you stay on the bus you descend past Belmore to the Horseshoe Inn (01588 650260) at Bridges. Why not stop for a pint and bite to eat...
Alternatively two circular walks, the Darnford Walk and Adstone Walk, are clearly waymarked from here. Pick up a leaflet at the pub and enjoy a walk through woodland, open farmland and quiet country lanes.
You can stay on the bus and continue your journey onto The Stiperstones, or you can change buses and head back towards Church Stretton.
If you decide to head back to Church Stretton you will travel past Ratlinghope Church. You may get to hear the tale of the Reverand Carr, who set out from Ratlinghope Church on a winters evening in 1865. He got lost in the snow and spent the night in freezing temperatures wandering around the hillside. Fortunately he survived and recorded his experiences in a book called "A Night in the Snow".
From Ratlinghope the bus heads back onto the Long Mynd. At Duckley Nap follow the signposted walk back to Carding Mill Valley from this stop, or stay on the Shuttle and admire the views. Look out for the ponies which live on the Long Mynd, they are often seen on this section of the route. At Jinlye - an ideal picnic spot - there are some stunning views of The Wrekin, Wenlock Edge and the hills surrounding Church Stretton.
You then make your way off the Mynd into All Stretton. As you head back into Church Stretton look out for the Stretton Water factory on the right. Stretton Spring Water is now available all over the country - but locals can still get it for free from a tap in the wall!
The Stiperstones Shuttle
The Shuttle starts from Bridges and makes its way up to the Stiperstones, a spectacular 10km ridge which rises 536m above sea level and is visible for miles around. The outstanding geology, diverse wildlife, remnants of 19th century mining and local legends create an intriguing landscape to explore. The most wildlife-rich and geologically dramatic area of the Stiperstones is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the major part of which is managed as a National Nature Reserve by Natural England.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION :
The Stiperstones Shuttle takes you through another unique area of Shropshire. The first stop is The Stiperstones National Nature Reserve, which is managed by Natural England www.naturalengland.org.uk . Close by is an accessible trail which can be followed if you want to find out more about the wildlife of the area. From the car park you can follow the "Stiperstones Stomp" walk, which will take you up to the rugged quartzite rocks of the Stiperstones, known locally as the Devil's Chair. It is said that when the top of the hill is covered in mist, the Devil himself is sat on the hillside!
Soon you will come to The Bog Visitor Centre. This former school is now a visitor centre run by local volunteers where a warm welcome awaits you, along with home made cakes, local crafts and displays on the history of the area. Two circular walks, Mucklewick Walk and Flenny Bank Walk, start from here - leaflets available at the Centre. Exhibitions and events are also held throughout the summer.
The bus then moves onto Tankerville. Why not call in at the Tankerville Pottery, where pots, plants and artwork are on display.
The next stop is Stiperstones Village. The Stiperstones Inn (01743 791327), is a great place to stop for a drink or meal . If you‘re feeling energetic you can walk to the summit of the Stiperstones from here!
This area of Shropshire is famous for its lead and barytes mines. You can still see chimney stacks dotted around the hillside. Mine buildings dating back to the 19th Century can be found at Snailbeach, together with information explaining how the site has been restored in recent years. Follow the self-guided trail around Snailbeach Mine, a 19th century lead mine, which once employed 100‘s of people.
One of the Sundays in September volunteers from the Shropshire Mines Trust will be showing visitors around the site. See www.shropshiremines.org.uk for more details. This area of Shropshire is well known to readers of the novels of Mary Webb, as many of her stories were set in this area. In 1949 the Hollywood film version of "Gone to Earth" was filmed in and around the Stiperstones.
The last Shuttle from Snailbeach back to Carding Mill Valley and Church Stretton is at 17.05. Snailbeach is a Shuttle request stop, so tell the driver you are walking there and they will look out for you at the stop.
Plox Green (Request stop) links with the 553 bus service Bishop‘s Castle - Shrewsbury.
Minsterley is one of the biggest settlements on the Stiperstones route, but nature is never very far away as Shropshire County Council's Poles Coppice, and The Shropshire Geological Society "Snailbeach to Pontesbury Geology Trail" are both a short walk from the Shuttle bus route. Why not stop for a bite to eat at the Bridge Hotel (01743 791244).
Pontesbury is the largest village on the route with a population of around 3,000. It has a number of pubs, a fish & chip shop (that has reached the regional final of a national competition) and a coffee shop. Earl's Hill Nature Reserve is also a short walk from the village. Pontesbury has a very active Parish Paths Partnership (P3) group that has replaced or renovated over 40 stiles and cleared local paths. It is the intention of the P3 group to produce a booklet of walks in the area.
The village of Habberley offers a pub stop (The Mytton Arms) if you want to stop for a quiet drink and something to eat. Further on the bus goes through Pulverbatch where you will find the White Horse Inn. Stop here for lunch or spend time strolling around the village.
The last stop before arriving back at Bridges is a request stop at Stitt Farm. From here walk up to the Thresholds Centre which offers information on the area, art exhibitions and a variety of courses, guided walks and more. Visit their website www.thresholdscentre.co.uk for information and for details of their Walk of the Month which can be accessed via the Shuttles.
This route offers fine views of the Stiperstones - just as long as the mist (or the Devil) isn't sitting on the top of the hill!
Why not take a virtual audio tour of this route and whet your appetite for the delights of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Whether your interests are history, ancient tales or flora and fauna, there is something for everyone on the Stiperstones Shuttle.
The Secret Hills Shuttle
Take this Shuttle to explore the valleys and villages of the Shropshire Hills. The Shuttle departs from the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, and travels along the meandering river valleys to Clun and Bishop’s Castle. Both are small market towns with lots of interesting shops, cafes and pubs. Along with Craven Arms, these towns hold numerous events and festivals throughout the year.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION :
The Secret Hills Shuttles bus starts its journey at Craven Arms and follows the Clun and Kemp Valley. As the bus heads towards Clun and Bishop's Castle look out for the wonderful views of The Long Mynd and the Welsh Boarders. One of the first stop of the day is Clun, where you can explore its ruined castle, follow the heritage trail and potter around the small shops.
After picking up passengers in Bishop's Castle the bus travels onto Bridges where you can meet up with the Long Mynd and Stiperstones Shuttle buses. If you stay on the Secret Hills Shuttle you will pass through Wentnor and Whitcot before returning to Craven Arms.
Listed below are more of the sites and attractions you will find on the Secret Hills Shuttle route...
The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
The Centre is open daily from 10am and offers a friendly welcome, local information and excellent refreshments. Over the winter of 2007 the Centre underwent some major changes and now offers a unique combination of services for both visitors to the Shropshire Hills and local residents. Nestling under a grass roof you will find not only a visitor information centre, shop and cafe, but also a thoroughly modern community library complete with internet facilities and WIFI connection. The Centre is also home to a brand new "Secret Hills" attraction that takes the form of an interactive time line through the Shropshire Hills.
There's always something interesting going on at the Discovery Centre to intrigue and entertain all ages. On weekdays in school holidays there are led activities for families (contact the Centre for details on 01588 676060). Every day throughout the year visitors can embark on one of the Centre's unique geocaching trails through the hills. Specially commissioned guides have been created allowing participants to navigate their way across the countryside using a global positioning system (GPS). Along the way, secrets (or caches) can be found revealing unexpected facts about the landscape and "treasures". Each traial costs £10 (plus a £50 refundable deposit) and consists of everything you need for an afternoon of adventure.
The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
The Land of Lost Content
The Museum of Popular Culture is just a short walk from the centre of Craven Arms in Market Street. The museum houses a varied collection of objects from everyday life in the 20th Century, including meccano sets, Monkees records and Eagle comics! The museum has a coffee shop where you can sit back and relax and remember years gone by. Call 01588 676176 or visit www.lolc.org.uk for further details.
Mickey Miller's Play Barn
Slides, swings, climbing frames and more. Refreshments available open Wed-Sun. Travel between Craven Arms and Mickey Millers is just £1 adults, 50p children.
Call 01588 673888 or visit www.mickeymillers.com for further details.
Craven Arms Town Centre
The town was named after a coaching inn
which was 
built in around 1800, to serve travellers on the turnpike roads
between Hereford, Shrewsbury and Wales. The Shrewsbury and Hereford railway arrived in 1852. With its new
found role as a railway and market town, more housing for workers came to
Craven Arms; this now forms part of the Victorian conservation area in the
town.
Craven Arms Railway Station gives connections with train services on the Heart of Wales line. Don’t forget that if you arrive at Craven Arms (or Church Stretton) by train, you are eligible for a half price Shuttle ticket on that day.
Aston-On-Clun
The Shuttle bus leaves Craven Arms and makes its way through the Clun Valley. Look out for the beautiful landscape of the Shropshire Hills, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1958. As you pass through Aston-On-Clun look out for the famous Arbor tree. The village holds its annual arbor tree day, when the tree is dressed in May. Visit www.arbortreeday.co.uk
Clunton
From Clunton you can leave the bus and walk up to the ancient hill fort of Bury Ditches, one of the best examples of an Iron Age hillfort in the country. The site is managed by the Forestry Commission. The climb up to the top of the Ditches is rewarded by some fantasic views of the England Wales border.
Clun
This small town has some significant
literary connections. Sir Walter Scott visited the 
town in the 1820‘s and the
poet A E Housman referred to the town in this collection of poems called “A
Shropshire Lad”. More recently the playwright John Osborne, who wrote “Look
Back in Anger”, lived near Clun during his retirement. He is buried in the
Church Yard of St Georges church.
In addition to its literary heritage, Clun has also been an important military and commercial centre. The remains of Clun Castle date back to 1140 when the English Welsh boarders were the centre of fierce battles, while part of St George‘s church were destroyed by Cromwell‘s army. The town hall, built in 1780 was funded by Clive of India. A museum is now housed in the building and its collections helps highlight Clun‘s varied past.
You can get on and off the Secret Hills Shuttle in the High Street or at the Riverside Car Park. Time to look around the town's attractions and follow its heritage trail. Alternatively you could have a meal in one of the town‘s pubs or cafes. A number of events also take place in the town during the year including the Green Man Festival (May), Clun Carnival (August) and the Clun Beer Festival (October). Visit www.clun.org.uk
Bishop's Castle
The town has been home to
cattle and sheep markets for over 800 years. 
Welsh drovers used to bring their
animals to market from mid Wales by walking them along the Kerry
Ridgeway. Cattle markets are still held in the town, but the Kerry Ridgeway is
now more commonly used by ramblers.
The cattle drovers would have stopped at one of the towns many pubs. Brewing has taken place in the town since 1642, and two brew houses still exist in the town at The Three Tun‘s and The Six Bells pubs – why not pop in and sample some of the local ales.
Alternatively the town has a number of museums which you can explore. At the top of the High Street you will find the House on Crutches Museum which houses a wide collection of local artefacts. Close by is the Railway and Transport Museum, where you can learn more about the railway line which once ran to the town.
Bishop‘s Castle also has a series of events taking place during the course of the year, including the Walking Festival in June, the Carnival and Real Ale Festival in July, and the Michaelmas Fair in September, when street entertainers, steam engines and vintage vehicles all take to the streets of the town.
Visit the Bishop's Castle website www.bishops-castle.co.uk for details of what to see and do in the town.
From Bishop's Castle the Secret
Hills Shuttle makes its way to Bridges. On the way it passes through Wentnorand Norbury. At Norbury you can leave the bus and follow a circular walk, which
takes you past the 2,700 year old yew tree in the grounds of Norbury Church and onto an avenue of trees leading to Linley Hall.
This section of the journey also offers some great views of the Long Mynd. Gliders from the Midlands Gliding Club can often be seen circling overhead. Amy Johnson once landed at this club.
Bridges
At Bridges the Secret Hills Shuttle
meets up with the Long Mynd and Stiperstones Shuttle. You can join one of these
buses or travel back to Craven Arms on the Secret Hills Shuttle. Whatever you
decide to do we hope you enjoy your day out on the Shropshire Hills Shuttles.
Thinking of extending your stay in the area?
Why not book accommodation and see what else is on offer in the area at www.visitsouthshropshire.co.uk