Independent recommended destinations for attractions
close to Wigmore Lakes
The historic market town of Shrewsbury is only 12 miles away. The town has over 600 listed buildings including the Castle and the Abbey. Relax in beautiful Quarry Park or take a boat trip on the River Severn. The historic centre is a shopper’s heaven packed with designer shops, smart new malls and an amazing range of independent retailers. Shrewsbury is also the venue for the world famous Flower Show in August every year. The new riverside Theatre Severn and restored 1596 Old Market Hall (now home to a café bar and cinema) are great attractions. Shrewsbury is reputedly England’s most haunted town, and you can talk a guided ‘Ghost Walk’ around the 650 historic building in the town centre.
The Shropshire / Wales border location makes it ideal for trips to Mid Wales and the beaches of the Welsh coast. Only 13 miles to the west is the picturesque border town of Welshpool, with the spectacular Powis Castle and the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway – one of the great little trains of Wales. Further to west Lake Vyrnwy, Bala Lake and the Snowdonia National Park are only an hours drive, while the pretty coastal towns of Harlech, Barmouth and Porthmadog are only around two hours drive.
The 16th Century towns of Ludlow (famed for its food festival) and Bishops Castle in South Shropshire with their half-timbered buildings and castle are charming. For walkers and nature lovers there is the “Little Switzerland” town of Church Stretton and the hills of the Long Mynd. Across the region you will discover scenic country pubs with good food, little tea rooms, quaint shops of all varieties and, above all, a warm welcome.
The world-famous garden, overhung with clipped yews, shelters rare and tender plants. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, it retains its original lead statues and an orangery on the terraces. High on a rock above the terraces, the castle, originally built circa 1200, began life as a medieval fortress. Remodelled and embellished over more than 400 years, it reflects the changing needs and ambitions of the Herbert family - each generation adding to the magnificent collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and tapestries.
Sabrina is a triple deck, modern passenger boat capable of carrying 60 passengers in comfort, with retractable roof and sides on the top deck. Whether you are interested in a relaxing boat trip during the day or you are embarking on an evening cruise, Sabrina's qualified skippers and crew will ensure your comfort and safety on the river, whilst you relax and let the on-board hospitality team take care of you. The 45-minute cruise gently sails to the English Bridge and returns. Enjoy beautiful views and photo opportunities. A wide range of hot and cold drinks are served from the on-board bar, served at your table.
Coalport China Museum, one of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, houses vast displays of two centuries of china, and is home to National collections porcelain, housed in the original riverside buildings. The award-winning museum includes a range of exhibits tracing the history of the factory and the lives and working conditions of its workforce. In the old workshops, china painting, clay modelling and china flower making take place regularly and pre-booked one-day courses are available, with expert tuition. Visitors can purchase examples of all the fine china from the museum shop. The slip room cafe serves a variety of refreshments and has a seating capacity of 70 people.
A unique combination of flowering plants, magnificent forest trees, sweeping lawns and a chain of ornamental pools provide a natural habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Visitors will always find something fresh and interesting whatever the season. The present occupant’s father, Brigadier A.G.W. Heber-Percy, started the gardens in 1922. He built the dykes and damned the stream to make a chain of pools, which animate the gardens to this day. Dogs on a lead are welcome. Hodnet Hall Gardens are three-time winners of the North Shropshire Tourism 'Best Garden Attraction'. The half-timbered restaurant serves lunch and tea.
This is an historic prison - the famous Thomas Telford constructed the original building. Daily guided tours allow you to experience, first-hand, what life in Shrewsbury prison would have been like. Each tour is led by a guide with extensive knowledge of the prison site and its history. You will experience ‘The Dana’ in the same way that a prisoner would; processing through induction before heading out to the wings and into the general population. You will get to tour areas never visited by the public before, learn about the prison’s history, its inmates, daily life, visitation, prison work and learn about ‘The Dana’s’ grisly history of executions. Visitors will be given the chance to have a ‘Closed Cell’ experience. This involves entering Cells and having the doors closed behind you, to fully experience what it would have been like for a prisoner.
Since 1892 the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway has transported residents and visitors alike up and down the 111 ft sandstone cliff between High Town, with its interesting shops, gardens and historic castle grounds, and Low Town with the riverside quay, enjoying the view that Charles I called the finest in his kingdom. The railway operates 2 carriages on parallel tracks. Connected by steel cables, the carriages counterbalance each other. Originally it was driven by a system of water balance, with each carriage carrying water ballast beneath the passenger compartment. However, since 1943 an electric winding engine has powered the railway. It is a working railway, not a museum piece; its importance to the townspeople of Bridgnorth, and to visitors, is undiminished by age.
Hawkstone Historic Park & Follies is a unique place. Created in the 18th Century Hawkstone became one of the greatest historic parklands in Europe. Voted 'Small Tourist Attraction of the Year' in the 2013 Shropshire Star Tourism & Leisure Awards, its eccentric collection of follies and woodland walks offer a delightful day out and fun for all the family. Centred around the Red Castle, and the awe-inspiring Grotto Hill, it offers visitors hours of exploration and stunning views of the Shropshire countryside and beyond. The Follies is an historic woodland fantasy with cliffs, crags, caves, deep woods and a series of extraordinary monuments built over 200 years ago. Well behaved dogs are welcome. Hawkstone Park is also home to a 66 bedroom Hotel, restaurant and two 18 hole golf courses.
Stokesay Castle offers visitors a unique glimpse into a distant age, when strength and elegance were combined. The fortified manor house dates from 1281 and has remained unchanged for over 700 years. See the open-hearthed great hall, with its fine cruck-built timber roof, shuttered gable windows and steep staircase. The south tower, with fine views from its roof, contains a panelled solar chamber added in the 17th century. An audio tour will help you to imagine Stokesay as the centre of medieval life. Its grounds include cottage-style gardens, a tearoom in summer and a gift shop. Young visitors can enjoy a free kids' activity sheet. See if they can spot the dragon carved onto the Gatehouse, and discover how many window shapes there are as they learn and explore.
Make your stay in Shropshire even more memorable by trying out a range of country and activity pursuits. A huge range of activities is available including quad biking, mountain and grass boarding, Segway, sniper shooting, clay pigeon shooting, archery, jacobs ladder, the climbing wall and zip wire. Celebrate a birthday with friends and family - adults or juniors or a mixture of both, there are activities for all ages.
The award-winning Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is home to one of the largest aviation collections in the UK and is a great day out, whatever the weather. A number of aircraft are suspended in flying attitudes including a Dakota, Canberra, Meteor, Lightning and Javelin and visitors are able to look at them from an elevated viewing gallery. Alongside the aircraft are related exhibitions, memorabilia and touch screen kiosks. The fun ‘n’ flight is packed with hands on excitement, it’s the easy way to answer all those questions about how aircraft stay up in the air. The Refuel Restaurant and Checkpoint Charlie Café provide refreshment. Access around the Museum is easy with wide aisles for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Pontcysyllte means 'the bridge that connects'. Known locally as the ‘River in the Sky’, it was built by Thomas Telford between 1795 and 1805. It consists of a cast iron trough on top of 18 stone piers, which carries the Shropshire Union Canal 126 feet above the river Dee. You can take an exhilarating canal boat trip across the viaduct, or walk across the 1,007 foot long structure – if you are brave enough! At the information centre in Trevor Basin, next to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, visitors can enjoy a film, where people talk about their memories and feelings towards Pontcysyllte and watch an animation that explains how it was built. There is also a children’s activity area, including a wooden ‘build the aqueduct’ puzzle and a gift shop. Friendly staff and volunteers are always on hand to help. You can also hire a boat for the day, or longer, from one of the businesses based at Trevor Basin.
Located four miles east of Shrewsbury, Wroxeter (or 'Viroconium') began as a legionary fortress and later developed into a thriving civilian city. Though much still remains below ground, today the most impressive features are the 2nd century municipal baths and the remains of the huge wall dividing them from the exercise hall. Visitors can also explore the new Roman Town House, constructed as part of Channel 4’s TV series ‘Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day’. The site museum and audio tour reveal how Wroxeter worked in its heyday, and the health and beauty practices of its 5,000 citizens. Wroxeter Roman Vineyard was planted in 1991 and visitors are welcome to stroll around the vineyards. Free wine tasting is available in the shop and customers are welcome to buy a glass or bottle of the vineyard’s white, red, rose and sparkling wines. Light refreshments are also available. The vineyard is on a level site, is suitable for wheel chair access and has disabled facilities.
See the steam engine, feel the heat and experience the train clackety-clack under your feet. It’s a journey back in time. There is no better way to see the beauty of the River Severn than from one of these steam-hauled trains. The Engine House, the Visitor Centre at Highley station houses the SVR's reserve collection of steam locomotives in an exhibition setting. There is also a very attractive buffet/restaurant and gift shop, with superb views across the railway and the Severn Valley. Special events are held throughout the year - 1940s Weekends, Family Fun Days, model railway events and the 'Santa' services.
This wild environment is an important place for wildlife, geology and archaeology. You can explore the area in many ways. There are paths for walking, cycling and horse riding; you can even drive to the top of the hill to take in the views. You don't have to venture far out of the Valley to find your own piece of solitude on the Long Mynd. Walk across the wildlife-rich, high heathland for spectacular views across the Shropshire and Welsh Hills. In Carding Mill Valley you can play in the stream, watch birds from the hide, pond dip and relax with a picnic. Alternatively, the valley tea-room, it’s the perfect refuge whatever the weather. On sunny days you can head up to the roof terrace to soak up the sun and enjoy the view. The shop sells a fantastic range of gifts, local jams, chutneys and beers, as well as those essentials you may need for a day out including rugs, hats and sun cream.
A truly family-run pub; how many pubs are now in the same family after three generations and 99 years! Jane and Peter have taken on this family heirloom from Jane's mother, Megan Hughes. It is a pub bursting with stories of locals that have been loyal through generations of families. A place where regulars enjoy a drink at the bar, holiday-makers pop into on their way to and from Wales - and anyone can simply enjoy a friendly atmosphere with great food and drink! Jane, Peter, the manager - Jill, and the team look forward to welcoming you to their very special Shropshire inn very soon...
“We are an independent local business who have brought our love for American food to the county – the Smoke Stop is the first authentic smokehouse in Shropshire.
Our family friendly surroundings will provide the perfect place to meet with friends, celebrate those special occasions or just come and tuck into some American comfort food smoked low and slow in our on site smokers for up to 14 hours.
Casual and unpretentious dining that will hit the spot… accompanied by our American shakes, bourbons and sodas. Come follow the Road to BBQ…
Kids are very welcome here – our impressive kids menu, outdoor play area and blackboard, American Cartoons on screens and scrummy milkshakes are sure to keep the little ones entertained.”
"Our aim is to build a strong rapport with all our valued customers who look to us for a high standard in quality, value and service. Saffron Cottage offers a relaxed ambiance to all our customers with exclusive, mouth watering dishes expertly prepared using the finest ingredients. Our customers can be absolutely certain that the food we serve will be of the highest quality along with a superb customer experience."
“Whether it's a spot of lunch, a quick take-away or a full meal you're after, you'll love The Breidden.
We range from traditional Chinese cuisine, to English dishes such as steak or fish & chips. We have real ales and a large range of other beers and spirits available. There's something for everyone. Just check out our menu on the website!”
Slightly further afield, the county town of Shrewsbury offers every type of cuisine you could imagine. Most chain restaurants are represented from Nandos to Carluccios together with plenty of fantastic independent restaurants sure to whet every appetite and tickle every tastebud!
A clean, friendly farm that appeals to all ages and offers close contact with over 120 animal species - from fluffy yellow chicks, baby lambs, wildcats, otters, meerkats and lemurs.
How far do you want to push it? The 17-metre tower has lots of adrenalin-fuelled challenges. Minimum age is 10, but younger participants will be accepted if mum or dad joins in!
Looking for a fun day out with the kids in Shrewsbury? Follow this self-guided Mystery Trail to find the sneaky clues, dotted around the town, on interesting buildings and statues.
Kid’s will love to meet the Shropshire Mammoth, search for hidden bears in the meadows, or experience a virtual dinosaur dig. Start exploring the Shropshire Hills AONB here.
Enjoy a fun-filled, Ironbridge Gorge mini-adventure. Families and children of all ages will love these piloted, safe, scenic raft trips along the beautiful River Severn in Shropshire.
For older kids, and younger mums and dads, this is an awesome journey through woodland tracks, streams, hills, and absolutely marvellous amounts of mud- right on our doorstep!
Located at Machynlleth, Mid Wales, CAT is an education and visitor centre. Set in 7-acres of hands-on displays and gardens it demonstrates practical solutions for sustainability.
A Pony Club Centre set up on our neighbouring hill. All ponies are carefully chosen for their good temperament and experience with children.
Apley Shopping Village, near Norton, Shropshire is more than a farm shop; it is home to 12 rural businesses. Kids will love Pigg’s Playbarn, the toy shop, donkey rides & animal park.
Almost too much fun for kids! With regular hands-on animal activities, two massive indoor playbarns, lots of outdoor play and driving activities there’s never a dull moment.
Lived in for 600 years, this ancient house of kings, queens and nobility offers a glimpse of medieval life. Walk the Castle grounds, or climb winding towers to the high battlements.
At this mysterious Mid Wales visitor attraction, you enter through the cascading underground waterfall and discover a magical place where tales from the mists of time are retold.
Interested in purchasing a holiday lodge? Wish to book a touring or camping pitch?
Questions about fishing? Let us know...
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