Church Stretton lies between the Long Mynd and The Stretton Hills: Ragleth Hill, Caer Caradoc and The Lawley. It is a small, attractive market town whose dramatic scenery has made it an ideal base for walking.

Mary Webb called Church Stretton, Shepwardine; she often changed place names in her work. Mary and Henry regularly walked in this beautiful landscape and spent their honeymoon in a cottage in Ashes Hollow called “Owlet’s Nest” Mary was able to recreate this atmosphere in her first novel, The Golden Arrow (1916). The Long Mynd becomes Wilderhope in the novel and is the home of the Arden family.

Long Mynd

The Long Mynd is an undulating plateau cut by steep-sided valleys known as batches or hollows. It is clothed by heather, whinberry and bracken and is the habitat of ravens, buzzards and kestrels. Most is common land owned by The National Trust.

St. Laurence’s Church

Church Street, Church Stretton SY6 6DQ. people have been worshipping in St Laurence’s for over 1000 years in its picturesque location in of the Stretton Hills. This historic Anglican church aims to meet the needs of all Christians. It also hosts a wide variety of community activities.

Rectory Woods

Rectory Wood once formed part of the grounds of the Rectory in Church Stretton. In around 1770 the rector, the Rev. John Mainwaring made great changes to create a designed landscape garden. The remains of this dramatic landscape and buildings can be explored following a series of walks. Leaflets with the walk routes can be obtained from the visitor  information centre, Church St, Church Stretton.