Church Stretton

Church Stretton[1] is a small town in Shropshire. Understand Until around 1900 it was a very small local market town, but quickly grew in the early 20th century as a popular spa town. It was at this time it got the nickname "Little Switzerland" because of its situation amongst the dominating hills. Today it remains small, but is busy and prosperous, and is popular for those who enjoy hillwalking and admiring the scenery of south Shropshire. Get in By Road Church Stretton is just off the main A49 Trunk Road between Shrewsbury and Ludlow. The B4371 road from Much Wenlock ends in Church Stretton. There are car parks and on-street parking in the town centre. By Rail Church Stretton is served by trains on the Cardiff - Manchester and Cardiff - Holyhead routes, as well as the scenic Heart of Wales line between Shrewsbury and Swansea. By Air The most convenient airport is at Birmingham. Straightforward rail connections via Shrewsbury. Alternatively Manchester airport is not much further and is also accessible by rail. Get around Church Stretton is a small town and is easy to get around on foot. There is a local bus service, the 435 run by Minsterley Motors. See St Laurence's Church. Saxon and Norman church that gives the place its name. Do Hillwalking. Church Stretton is the main centre for walking in the Shropshire Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, especially the Long Mynd and Caradoc ranges. A good place to start for new visitors is the National Trust's Carding Mill Valley centre. Flying. The Long Mynd is one of the top centres for gliding and hang-gliding in England. Buy Church Stretton is a busy market town and has many shops, including Shropshire's largest antiques market. There is one medium-sized supermarket, the Co-op on Lion Meadow. Otherwise most shops are small independents. Eat The town has a number of small restaurants and traditional tea rooms. There are also a number of international cuisine restaurants and take-aways. Drink The Bucks Head, High Street. Large, town centre public house.  edit Housmans, High Street. Modern cafe bar.  edit The Ragleth Inn, Ludlow Rd, Little Stretton, Shropshire SY6 6RB (Little Stretton is 1 mile south of Church Stretton), ☎ +44-1694-722711 (wendyjd65@hotmail.com), [2]. Known locally for its good food. Lovely beer garden. Car park.  edit The Green Dragon, Ludlow Rd, Little Stretton, Shropshire SY6 6RE (Little Stretton is 1 mile south of Church Stretton), ☎ +44-1694-722925. Separate bar and restaurant rooms. Childrens play area. Real ale.  edit Sleep Long Mynd Hotel, Cunnery Road, Church Stretton, SY6 6AG (Take the Cunnery Road up from Ludlow Road.), ☎ +44 1694 722244, [3]. Edwardian spa hotel. Situated above the town in its own woodland. The largest hotel in the area. Restaurant and bar. Outdoor swimming pool.  edit Stay safe When planning for hill-walking do remember that the weather can change quickly. It is also likely to be colder, windier and wetter higher up. The Long Mynd is notorious for being a windy place and for deep snow in winter. Always take with you a good map (Ordnance Survey 1:25000 ideally) and a mobile phone if heading out into the wilds. Get out For exploring the surrounding hills, the Long Mynd Shuttle Bus[4] operates on weekends and bank holidays in summer months. It runs from Church Stretton across the Long Mynd to the Stiperstones and Pontesbury. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!