Attingham Park river reflections walk

Shropshire & Staffordshire

A view of the river Tern with water reflections of the Park — Reflections on the River Tern at Attingham | © National Trust / Sean Hattersley

Admire the changing colours of the landscape and skies reflected in the River Tern on this circular riverside walk, and discover its history along the way. The two bridges on this circular walk make the perfect place to pause to take a photo, and you might even spot some of the river's wildlife along the way.

Near to

Attingham Park

Start point

Stables Courtyard, Attingham Park, SY4 4TP. Grid ref: SJ5501109896.

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration1 hour to 1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Good paths and grassy track, uneven in places. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Uneven terrain, can be muddy in wet weather. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Keep dogs on leads outside at all times except in designated off-lead areas. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Attingham Park, Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4TP. Grid ref: SJ5501109896.
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Shrewsbury station is 5 miles (8km) away.
On foot
There is a half-mile (0.8km) walk along the vehicle driveway from the main gates. Cattle graze in fields along the drive.
By bus
Please check Shrewsbury to Telford routes with Arriva bus services, then a half-mile (0.8km) walk along the drive from the main gates.
Arriva buses
Cycling
The B4380 passes by the main gates – Sustrans has a good map. If you arrive at Attingham by bike you can come into the grounds for free; please let the reception team know. Standard bikes are not permitted within the grounds.
Sustrans website
By road
The main entrance to Attingham Park is on the B43850 in the village of Atcham, 4 miles (6.4km) south of Shrewsbury, with good access from the A5.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Stables Courtyard, Attingham Park, SY4 4TP. Grid ref: SJ5501109896.
Stage 1
From the car park make your way through the Stables Courtyard past the cottage garden and bear right. Take the cut-through on your left and bear left at the fork in the path by the cedars to join the Mile Walk along the riverside.
Stage 2
Walk along the riverside.
The River Tern
See the changing reflections of the deer park in the waters of the River Tern. The Tern is about 30 miles long, and home to wildlife of all sorts, from ducks and swans to otters and dragonflies. Without human intervention, this river would be more of a stream. It owes its size to dams and locks that were installed in the 1700s. These features were added to allow access to the ironworks situated on the river near the bridges, which were closed by 1754.
Stage 3
Take the path bearing right at the single cedar, following signs for the Deer Park Walk.
Stage 4
At the junction, continue to follow signs for the Deer Park Walk as you walk along the path through the trees.
Stage 5
Cross the cable-stayed bridge across the River Tern and enter the woodland.
Stage 6
At this junction look for the shortcut to leave the woodland and enter the deer park by the river. Continue along this grassy track.
Stage 7
The grass track leads you towards the large deer park gates. At this point you can extend your walk by following the instructions under Step 8, or head towards the end of the route by skipping to Step 9.
Stage 8
This is an optional walk extension. Continue forward past the gates and follow the yellow-tipped stakes, which will take you under Tern Bridge, giving you a view of the mansion from the riverside. Retrace your steps until you reach the deer park gates once more. This route forms part of the WWII walk and is closed until spring 2023.
Stage 9
Leave the deer park through the gates, and cross the two bridges over the River Tern.
Stage 10
Continue along the path past the front of the Regency mansion.
End point
Mansion tea-room, Attingham Park, SY4 4TP. Grid ref: SJ5501109896.
Trail map
Map route for Attingham Park river reflections walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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