What to do in and around Bishop's Castle

NOTE: (The information on this site should be used for guidance only - opening times, prices and other detail MUST be verified with the individual providers)

(also see [Local Beauty Spots] - [Local Events] - [Shopping]
[Places to Visit] - [Where to Eat])

Many walks can be downloaded >>HERE<<

Guided tours of Bishop's Castle
The small, medieval town with a fascinating past of power and prestige out of all proportion to its size. The walking tours, which start at Lych Gate of St. John the Baptist Church and last about an hour are every Tuesday and Saturday at 6.30 p.m.. from June to September.
Tours at other times by arrangement Telephone (01588) 630271 Charge £1.50 adults, children free. Special rates for parties (minimum 6) Ghostly Tours by appointment 01588 638467 www.towntour.co.uk

The Town Trail
This gives a short history of the 12th Century planned town as illustrated by its streets and buildings and costs £1.25 from the Tourist Information Centre and other town premises. Starting from the Parish Church (originally 12th Century), the trail takes the visitor to The Castle Site at the top of the town before working its way back to the church. It is published by the local Civic Society.

Bishop's Castle Footpath Walking Group
Organise weekly walks throughout the year from the Harley Jenkins St. car park at 9.30 a.m.. Some quite strenuous all day walks of 9 - 15 miles (A) , moderate all day walks of 8 - 10 miles (B) and gentler morning walks of up to 6 miles (C). a.m.. Visitors are very welcome. Guided countryside walks available.
Contact: the Tourist Information Office (01588) 638467.

Bishop's Castle Walking Festival
12th - 14th of June, 2007 (see events list). Long and short guided walks with experienced guides to interpret the landscape. Contact: Gill Lucas (01588) 638854 e-mail: gill@theporchhouse.com

Clun Amblers
All Clun guided walks start from the Memorial Hall car park and visitors are very welcome to join in, (sorry no dogs).
All day walks of 10 miles plus takes place on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from April to August inclusive. Times vary, see local press. Every Wednesday Sept to March 10 mile walks.
Contact: Peter James (01588) 640027. Evening walks from 5 - 7 miles are every Tuesday at 6.00 p.m.. April to August inclusive. Contact: Graham Newton (01588) 640116.
Clun Rambles of about 5 miles are on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday throughout the year starting at 10.00 a.m.. Contact: Maurice Young (01588) 640846. Clun Perambles of 7 - 8 miles are every Wednesday at 10.00 a.m.. from September to March inclusive and the 3rd Thursday of the month April to August inclusive Contact: Jean Smith (01588) 640551.
Bishop's Castle and Clun Parish Paths Partnerships extend a warm welcome to all walkers. For easier day long-parking in Clun, walkers should use the 70 space Clun Memorial Hall free car park, at GR:30281 1, easing pressure on the essentially short stay Clun Bridge car park.

Snailbeach Mine Trail
Amongst the wooded slopes and moorland above the Snailbeach valley are the relics of a once thriving lead mining industry. The South West Shropshire orefields were originally worked in Roman times and became the most productive in Europe. Mining finally ceased in the 1950s and the site is now a scheduled ancient monument with 20 fine building, 12 of which are listed. The trail takes the visitor round the old workings, now made safe by the County Council. Surface and underground guided tours available. Contact: Jill Knill (01743) 791360, e-mail: jillysnailbeach@jknill.fsnet.co.uk.

Thresholds Centre, Picklescott SY6 6NU
Thresholds is the ideal base for exploration of the scenic hills often referred to as Mary Webb Country, by horse back, on foot, cycling or minibus tour. Information about the area is available by just dropping in. Art exhibitions held regularly.
Regular courses/workshops are held between Easter and October on crafts, arts, creative writing, drama, poetry (including Mary Webb), murder mysteries and aspects of local history. Drop in and have a dabble at various crafts on Thursdays 2.00 p.m.. - 5.00 p.m.. from Easter to end of October. Other times by appointment.
Contact: Anne M. Oakes Jones (01694) 751411,
www.thresholdscentre.co.uk

Teme Valley Church Trail
A journey along the beautiful Teme Valley, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, from Leintwardine to Llanfair Waterdine visiting the six parish churches. The narrow lanes are perfect for walkers and cyclists but car drivers are asked to use the main roads. The churches, many of them ancient, all have different and interesting histories.
Free leaflets available Tourist Information Points in the area.

Picnic Areas
Within easy walking distance of the town centre, Bishop's Castle has two parks suitable for picnics. The town's main playing fields lie off Union Street - as you walk along Church Street towards the parish church, turn right. The park is a well maintained grass area with children's play equipment and pleasant views. The land adjacent to the site of the town's ancient castle forms the second picnic site - it lies at the top end of town off Castle Green, above the Castle Hotel gardens. This small area offers magnificent views of the town and surrounding countryside and has benches and picnic tables. Part of the old castle walls can be seen.
Clun Community Area has a children's play area and the castle ruins and river make an ideal picnic spot.

Walcot Stables
Lower Gardens, Lydbury North Shropshire SY7 8AS
www.walcotstables.co.uk e-mail: walcotstables@aol.com.
Situated on the edge of the historic Walcot Hall, Walcot Stables is a small, friendly yard offering lessons for all ages and standards in safe and picturesque environment. Small group hacks can be arranged. Pony care days for children and overnight stabling for horses by arrangement.
Contact: Stuart Murray (BHS Al) (01588) 680514

SpArC, Bishop's Castle's Sports and Arts in the Community.
"an amazing facility for a small town and rural community!" - is at the A488/B4368 junction and includes a swimming pool, fitness centre, squash courts, sports hall and theatre. For opening times and charges of the sports facilities
Contact: (01588) 630243 or www.southshropshire.gov.uk/leisure

SpArC Theatre
A 135 seater, purpose built auditorium, fully accessible and with on site parking available. The adjoining foyer and refreshment area is licensed to sell alcohol.
The current season of evening productions includes internationally toured drama, dance, a wildlife presentation and a physical performance and runs from February to the end of April. Alongside the live theatre is SpArC Screen, showing in the late afternoon popular films suitable teenagers and a Decks and VJing live set.
The theatre facilities are also regularly hired by groups including dance, exercise, workshops, drama, conferences and training sessions.
For ticket reservations and enquiries: contact (01588) 630321 from 10.00am to 9.00pm weekdays and 10.am to 12 pm at weekend.
To be kept in touch about events at SpArC send your e-mail address to Anne-Marie Jackson at annemarie@castlecommunityleisure.org.uk and you will be included on the SpArC mailing list.

The Dragon Hotel Swimming Pool and Sauna, Montgomery
A heated indoor swimming pool and sauna in a cedar wood chalet in the grounds of the 17th Century Coaching Inn in Montgomery town centre. Relax with a drink at the poolside or dine afterwards in the restaurant or lounge bar. Soothe away the aches and pains of a days walking with a relaxing swim! Open: All day with minimum of two adults swimming at a time.
Booking essential.
Admission: adults £2.70, 12-15 year olds £2.50 and under 1 2s £2.00
(swimming prices). Sauna prices £5.50 including swim. Contact: Mark & Sue Michaels. (01686) 668359

Bishop's Castle Lawn Tennis Club
The club has 3 grass courts and 2 all-weather courts on land below the town off the A488. Visitors are welcome provided that they wear tennis shoes not hard ridged trainers. Coaching available £15 an hour.
Weekly rate: £30 per court. Daily rate (morning, afternoon or evening) £10 per court. Tennis balls for sale at 4 for £6 and tennis rackets can be borrowed (a small deposit required)
Contact the Tourist Information Office (01588) 638467.

Bishop's Castle Cricket Club
The club has one of the most beautiful pitches in the country, in the grounds of Lydham Manor about half a mile from the town centre. Spectators are very welcome and information about fixtures can easily be obtained from the web site at www.intheteam.com/bishopscastlecc or e-mail: smorris@ransfords.co.uk

Minsterley Ranges & Clay Ground
The Bog, Minsterley, Shropshire SY5 ONJ
website: www.minsterleyranges.com Minsterley Ranges has expanded a lot in the last 2 years and now offers 3 separate grounds. It offers full bore 100m range for the certificate holder and the clay pigeon ground D.T.L., A.B.T., skeet and sporting. No license is required and tuition is available by appointment. We can cater for the individual or corporate events. Full catering on site, B & B available. Open: 9.OOam - 5.30pm 6 days a week (closed Mondays)
Contact: Mr. & Mrs. D. Ryan (01743) 791858. Brochure available.

Onny Vale Trout and Coarse Fishery
On A488 between Bishop's Castle and Minsterley.
The Fold, White Grit, Minsterley, Shropshire SY5 OJL
3 trout fishing pools stocked with blues, browns and rainbows to 121b. 2 coarse fishing pools consisting of a pleasure pool with 20 pegs and a carp specimen pool. There is a fishing lodge with tackle, bait, refreshments, good toilet facilities , disabled access and a small caravan and camping site. The whole site is set below Corndon Hill in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Access is from the A 488 between Bishop's Castle and Minsterley. Open all year.
Contact: D. & A. Gricmanis (01588) 650521, mobile 07792 609153.

Clun Community Area
Outdoor ball court and badminton courts are available for hire by visitors. Contact: Colin Pomfret (01588) 640161

The Community College, Bishop's Castle
e-mail: college@COCObc.org www.cocobc.org The College runs a full arts programme throughout the year. This includes theatre, concerts, talks and lectures.
Contact: Contact the college (01588) 638257 (see SpArC on page 17)

Bishop's Castle Film Society
The society shows selected films fortnightly on Wednesday evenings at The Three Tuns Inn from late September to mid April. Drinks and meals are available at the inn prior to the show. Visitors are welcome.
Admission: Wednesday evenings at 8.00 p.m.. Admission: guests £3.50, students £1.50.
Contact: Julia Parker 01588 680445. Programmes available from Bishop's Castle Tourist Information Office.

Special Events

Full details of all Bishop's Castle events are on the
Fairs, Fetes and Festivals 2005 leaflet available from
most Shropshire TICS and TIPS and on the town's
website at www.bishopscastle.co.uk/events
General enquiries to Bishop's Castle Festivals Officer
Dave Palliser, email: d.palliser@hotmail.com
Tel: 01694 722108
Bishop's Castle Town Hall:
Tues and Wed 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 P.M.

Nearby Towns

Craven Arms: A market town 10 miles to the east at a junction of the busy A49 Shrewsbury to Ludlow road, Craven Arms has the nearest railway station to Bishop's Castle and the nearby Stokesay Castle is the best example of the fortified manor house in the country. Nearby is the new Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre and in the town in and Land of Lost Content, the national museum of popular culture.

Church Stretton: Historically a spa town set in the valley at the base of the Long Mynd. The main A49 runs close by and now there is a footpath linking the town with its sister villages of Little Stretton and All Stretton. From the town there is easy access to the rolling moorland of the Long Mynd, the southern most grousemoor in Britain with superb views and many footpaths. The town is served by a railway station on the Shrewsbury to Ludlow Line.

Shrewsbury: The county town, 22 miles to the north, is almost surrounded by the River Severn and boasts both quaint shops and alleyways as well as modern shopping malls. It has a castle and museums, several fine churches and an 1 l th century Abbey. The ruins of the Roman city of Viriconium lie 5 miles away.

Ludlow: A mediaeval market town on the River Teme lies 20 miles to the south east. It has an impressive Norman Castle and nearly 500 listed buildings. In past centuries it was a town of considerable importance and a fashionable social centre.

On the other side of the border, the old Welsh market towns of Welshpool and Newtown are just 16 miles away. The ancient Kerry Ridgeway provides the scenic route from Bishop's Castle to Newtown, in the valley of the river Severn. It is the birthplace of the l 9th century socialist reformer Robert Owen and, this century, has been considerably developed. It is also on the main route to the coast from the Bishop's Castle area. Welshpool, on the Montgomery Canal, was an important centre for the wool trade and now has the biggest livestock market in mid?Wales and it is also the home of the Welshpool to Lianfair Light Railway and the Montgomery canal Museum. Powis Castle, a major National Trust property, with magnificent gardens, is near the town centre. Edinburgh Woollen Mills has taken over the Old Station and it is now open Mon ? Sat 9.00 a.m. ? 5.45 p.m. and Sun 11.00 a.m. ? 5.00 p.m.

The Shropshire Hills Shuttle Buses - Shropshire Hills Shuttle Buses will run Easter weekend   (Saturday, Sunday & Monday March 22 – 24) and then at weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays from May 3rd to September 28th.  The shuttle buses serve the towns of Bishop’s castle, Clun, Craven Arms and Church Stretton and go up the hill ranges of the Stiperstones and Long Mynd from Bridges.   They also link with the main service Bishop’s Castle to Shrewsbury bus.
www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk

- or Shropshire Traveline 0870 608 2608
Mon - Fri 8.30 a.m. 5.45 p.m., Saturday, 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.