Local attractions

Explore The Marches

Bow House Country Park is well placed to explore the delights of South Shropshire and The Marches, including the neighbouring ancient market town of Bishop's Castle. The larger centres of Shrewsbury and Ludlow are within comfortable driving distance.

Built on a south-facing hill, Bishop's Castle has a population of around 1,500. Centred on the High and Church Streets, which climb from the parish church, this small town has many historic buildings, including the Town Hall and the unusual Elizabethan House on Crutches, which is supported by wooden posts over a cobbled alley.

There are two museums celebrating local history and the railway, lots of lovely traditional shops, butchers, grocers, ironmongers, as well as bookshops, handmade furniture and art galleries line the main street.

The number of pubs is a reminder that Bishop's Castle was once a drovers town - a watering hole for both them and their cattle on their way to market. With two breweries, many eating places and a lively events calendar it's hardly surprising that people keep coming back to the town.

Bishop's Castle has also become a 'Walkers Are Welcome' award winning town along with its South Shropshire neighbour Church Stretton.

Offa's Dyke Path, one of 12 designated National Trails, is also within a short drive of Bow House. www.offas-dyke.co.uk/

South Shropshire

South Shropshire has amazing views across heavenly English Countryside. These are the real "Blue Remembered Hills" that Housman wrote about.

A landscape of green golden valleys rising to dramatic hills and moorlands. A hidden history of Marcher Lords - long since dead, concealed pagan rites and legends, castle and tiny hamlets all waiting to be found. No wonder this is officially an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Within South Shropshire are the county's gastronomic capital Ludlow, the Alpine like setting of Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer, Craven Arms and Clun, immortalised by A.E.Housman. Each couldn't be more different or distinctive. Real shopping in proper shops, lively street markets, antique markets, specialist food shops, art and craft galleries - all give retail therapy Shropshire style.

Storybook castles at Clun, Ludlow and Stokesay - a 13th Century fortified manor house said to be so beautiful that when attacked no-one could bring themselves to destroy it. Further castles can be found over the Welsh border at Montgomery and Welshpool (Powis Castle).

Visit the Historic Farm at Acton Scott with a working millstone, horse ploughing and butter making, take a simulated balloon ride over Shropshire from the Secret Hills Discovery Centre at Craven Arms where you can also meet the Shropshire Mammoth. Or indulge your senses at Burford House Gardens with its national collection of clematis.

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