NATURAL BEAUTY SHROPSHIRE
Why This often-overlooked Midlands county boasts three Areas of Outstanding Beauty, peaceful waterways, plus ancient woodlands and castles, not to mention a host of new sights and adventures.
Those in need of relaxation should seek out the garden spa at Hawkstone Hall, opening this summer, a beautiful Grade I-listed, 18th-century mansion set within 88 acres of countryside. Designed to blend into its rural woodland setting, the spa includes indoor and open-air hot tubs, sensory showers, relaxation rooms, floatation pods, ice fountains and Elemis treatment rooms (hawkstonehall.co.uk/ spa-and-wellness).
Foodies will enjoy a new collection of trails that aim to give visitors a guide to the best Shropshire has to offer, from outstanding food producers to delis, farm shops and markets (visitshropshire. co.uk). Visit the beautiful grounds of Attingham Park (nationaltrust.org.uk/ attingham-park) and hire a canoe (shrewsburycanoehire.co.uk). Glide down the River Tern through a rural paradise of overhanging trees, with fields on one side and the Palladian mansion and
Lebanon cedars on the other.
Channel the past with a trip in a coracle, the bowl-shaped craft people used to traverse the
River Severn( shropshire ra ft tours. co.uk/coracle-hire). The Flaxmill Maltings is a restored industrial mill dating from 1797, and a building crucial to the Industrial Revolution (shrewsburyflaxmillmaltings.org.uk). Don’t miss Discerning drinkers will be able to enjoy a tap-room trip by train, thanks to a new rail link and train service – the volunteer-operated Cambrian Heritage Railways will connect the centre of Oswestry with the artisan Stonehouse Brewery & Henstone Distillery on the town’s outskirts (cambrianrailways.com). Where to stay The stylishly renovated Bear Inn at Hodnet offers rooms from £110 per night, including breakfast; thebearinnhodnet.com >>