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Carding Mill Valley and 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 and bank holidays. Please arrive prepared to park in alternative parking.
No BBQs, fires or naked flames allowed anywhere on the Long Mynd due to high fire risk all year round.
Opening times for 8 December 2023
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk Car Park Dawn - Dusk Tea-room 10:00 - 16:00 Toilet 09:30 - 16:00 MTWTFSS2728293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosedNon member car parking
Ticket type Gift aid Standard All day parking £5.50 Non member large vehicle parking (22 July-3 Sept)
Ticket type Gift aid Standard All day parking large vehicles £11.00 Coaches & Minibuses minimum fee and MUST PREBOOK
Ticket type Gift aid Standard £25.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Car park
Tea room
Dogs
Toilet
Hilly terrain. Uneven surfaces and pathways with steep climbs and steps. Accessible toilet available.
Accessible toilet
Level access to food outlet
Designated parking
Steps/uneven terrain
Drop-off point
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
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
Learning and education visits at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd
Discover an exciting learning programme which can be tailored for different ages, abilities and curriculums.
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.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to do at Carding Mill Valley and 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
Family-friendly things to do at Carding Mill Valley
There are plenty of places to play and get closer to nature at Carding Mill Valley. 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
New Pool Hollow 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.
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
Located on Morville Hall Estate, 1 Morville Barn is a cosy 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.
About Carding Mill Valley and 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 and 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 and the Long Mynd
Discover what volunteering at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd involves, and the current opportunities available.