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Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd
Take a walk across the wildlife-rich heathland and enjoy the views across the Shropshire Hills, or simply play in the stream in the valley.
Church Stretton, Shropshire
Important notice
The car park at Carding Mill Valley can reach capacity on weekends or school holidays, please come prepared to park offsite. Strictly no BBQs, fires or naked flames at any time, high risk of fire.
Opening times for 5 July 2025
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk Car Park Dawn - Dusk Tea-room 10:00 - 17:00 Toilet 09:00 - 17:00 MTWTFSS3012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123OpenPartially openClosedCoaches & Minibuses minimum fee and MUST PREBOOK
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid £25.00 Large vehicles (eg motorhomes greater than 5mx2m)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid £12.00 Non member car parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid £6.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Car park
On weekends and school holidays the car park in Carding Mill Valley can reach capacity. Please arrive prepared to use overflow parking.
- Dogs allowed
- Tea-room
- Toilet
Hilly terrain. Uneven surfaces and pathways with steep climbs and steps. Accessible toilet available.
- Accessible toilet
- Designated parking
- Drop-off point
- Level access to food outlet
- Steps/uneven terrain
- By road
\West of Church Stretton Valley and A49; approached from Church Stretton or from Ratlinghope or Asterton
Parking: 50 yards (pay and display) Our car parks have limited spaces, so if the car park is full please come back another time.
Sat Nav: SY6 6JG
- On foot
Many long-distance routes, including Jack Mytton Way and Shropshire Way
- By train
Church Stretton 1 mile
- By bus
Shrewsbury to Ludlow, alight Church Stretton, ½ mile. Shuttle bus weekends and Bank Holidays (Easter to October), plus shuttle to Stiperstones
- Cycling
10 miles of off-road tracks and bridleways
- Car-free
It’s easy to get here by train, bus, bike and foot. Find out more about exploring car-free
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills with your dog
Carding Mill Valley is a one pawprint rated place. Explore miles of footpaths and open countryside with your dog at Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills. Find out how to keep the wildlife and your dog safe on your visit.
Article
School visits at Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd
Discover an exciting learning programme which can be tailored for different ages, abilities and curriculums.
Article
Eating at Carding Mill Valley
Whether you are fuelling up before a walk or seeking a treat to enjoy after your day revelling in the beautiful Shropshire Hills, you can find it all at the Chalet Pavilion Tea Room.
Article
Accessibility at Carding Mill Valley
Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd stretches across the Shropshire Hills. Discover the accessibility features of Carding Mill Valley.
Highlights
The Long Mynd
Wildlife-rich upland heathland, with extensive views across the Shropshire Hills.
Wild Swimming
Enjoy a wild swim in the reservoir with great views all around.
Lightspout Waterfall
Visit the four-meter natural water feature the Victorian visitors called a "miniature Niagara".
Eating
Pavillion tea-room serving light lunches, cakes and drinks. Locally made ice cream is served from The Ice Cream Parlour.
Spotlight events
See what's on at Carding Mill Valley
Find out what events we have planned.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to do at Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd
Explore the great outdoors at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd. Enjoy a bracing walk, a challenging bike ride, a wild swim, have fun with the family or just take in the views.
Article
A family-friendly day out at Carding Mill Valley
There are plenty of places to play and get closer to nature at Carding Mill Valley in Shropshire. Bring the whole family along and get set for an outdoors adventure.
Outdoor activities
Activity
Outdoor activities at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd
Enjoy the great outdoors at Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills. Find out about the best routes and keeping yourself safe while out walking and cycling on the Long Mynd.
Top trails
Trail
The Burway Loop: a walk to the top of the Long Mynd
Take a challenging walk from Carding Mill Valley up to the highest point of the Long Mynd, which offers impressive views across Shropshire and beyond.
Trail
Lightspout Waterfall walk
Starting at Carding Mill Valley at the heart of the Long Mynd enjoy a sometimes challenging walk along a stream to the 4-metre cascade at the picturesque Lightspout Waterfall, taking in impressive geology and wildlife along the way.
Trail
Reservoir walk
This shorter walk through the valley ends with beautiful views of the reservoir and beyond.
Trail
The Pipe Walk at Carding Mill Valley
This walk is a great way to see some beautiful views and also to really get to the heart of 'those blue remembered hills', as mentioned in the poem by A E Housman.
Trail
The Long Mynd and Ratlinghope walk
A challenging 10-mile circular walk taking in both sides of the Long Mynd, with impressive views over Shropshire and a halfway stop at the pub for refreshments.
Trail
Long Mynd classic cycle trail
This mountain bike ride is a must for any experienced rider who wants to explore some of the best routes on Long Mynd in Shropshire.
Trail
The Pools Loop walk
A gentle amble with several seats along the way around the first pond in New Pool Hollow.
Places to stay
Attingham West Lodge
A neo-classical lodge at the grand entrance to Attingham Park
Threshing Barn
A converted brick and timber barn on the Attingham Park Estate
1 Morville Barn
A cosy barn conversion in South Shropshire, which is surrounded by lots of local attractions.
1 Sternsmill Cottage
Sitting on the Dudmaston estate, this cosy cottage has countryside views and even a cave in the garden.
Upcoming events
Event
Festival of Archaeology Walk - Up, across, down and back, through the Bronze Age to the Victorians
Join us for a 10 mile walk up, across, down and back, through the Bronze Age to the Victorians
Event
Festival of Archaeology: A walk visiting some of the ancient settlements across the Long Mynd.
Come and learn about some of the ancient settlements across the Long Mynd.
Event
Festival of Archaeology: Famous Five Features on the Long Mynd.
Famous Five Features on the Long Mynd.
Event
Festival of Archaeology: Who were the bodies buried at Bodbury
Who Were the Bodies Buried at Bodbury.
Event
Festival of Archaeology: A family walk following in ancient footsteps.
A family walk following in ancient footsteps.
About Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd
Covering as much as 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of heather-covered hills with stunning views of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Welsh hills, this is an important place for wildlife, geology and archaeology.
There are paths for walking, cycling and horse riding, you can even drive to the top of the hill to take in the views. In Carding Mill Valley there are excellent visitor facilities including a tea-room, toilets and car parking.
In Carding Mill Valley you can play in the stream, watch birds from the hide, pond dip and relax with a picnic; or you can simply use the Valley as your base for the day and head on up the hill for an adventure. You don't have to venture far out of the Valley to find your own piece of solitude on the Long Mynd.
History
Article
Commoning on the Long Mynd
The Long Mynd is an area of Common Land, find out more about how this historic grazing pattern has created a special ecology and habitat and the animals you might see.
Article
The Ashbrooke river: past and present
The Ashbrooke river lies at the heart of Carding Mill Valley. It shaped it, it powered its industry, and it is home to a wide variety of wildlife. But how much do you know about the river?
Our work
Article
Our work at Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd
Discover the important conservation work that takes place at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd, to protect this place for future generations.
Project
Project
The Stepping Stones Project in the Shropshire Hills
Discover more about the Stepping Stones project, working with partner organisations to create, manage and connect habitats to support nature in the Shropshire Hills.
Support us
Article
Volunteering at Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd
Discover what volunteering at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd involves, and the current opportunities available.
Donate to Carding Mill Valley
Your gift will help to conserve and protect Carding Mill Valley for future generations to enjoy.
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