Latest Shropshire countryside news and events

Latest news

Countryside Access Strategy for Shropshire

The final version of the Countryside Access Strategy for Shropshire 2008 - 2018 is now available for download. Visit the Countryside Access Strategy page for more information.

Family Friendly Walks now available to download

These bold and colourful walk guides are specially designed to appeal to families with young children. They are informative and fun with maps and written directions to help you find your way. Most of the routes are circular and vary in distance from 1 to 3 miles. They start from countryside sites that have parking and many of the routes are pushchair friendly.

Some of the sites are open access land, which means that you can walk freely and don’t have to stick to the rights of way network, so look out for the brown man symbol. (add open access land waymark)

These guides will soon be available from Visitor Information Centres and for further information or to obtain a download version visit the circular routes in shropshire page of this website.

Celebrating Fifty Years of Access

This year celebrates the golden anniversary of access to the Shropshire countryside along its rights of way. It was in 1958 that the definitive rights of way were first plotted on maps and people had the right in law to walk or ride along them.

A series of celebrations and events have been planned and all are welcome to take part. Click on the link below for more information.

The Mere at Ellesmere Heritage Project

Shropshire County Council and Ellesmere Town Council plan to make significant improvements to The Mere at Ellesmere during 2008 - 09.

• the Boathouse Restaurant building will be restored and an extension will include an exhibition, information about the park and new public toilets.
• the 19th century designed landscape will be enhanced by opening up historic views and avenues and planting specimen trees.
• access throughout the park will be improved, including car parks, footpaths and links to Ellesmere town.
• more people will be encouraged to use the park by providing more events and opportunities for recreation.
• the project will also provide the opportunity to increase community involvement and volunteering.

for more information, press releases and newsletters click on the Mere at Ellesmere Heritage Project link

The Bog Mine and Visitor Centre Heritage Project

Shropshire County Council’s Countryside Service has recently undertaken a local consultation exercise with regards to a proposed Heritage Lottery funded project to improve the Bog Mine Site and Visitor Centre on the Stiperstones uplands.

The aim of the project is to:

• protect and conserve the historic features of the Bog Mine site
• enable visitors to gain a greater understanding of the Bog Mine’s past industrial heritage along with the Stiperstones upland, as Shropshire's foremost lead mining area in the late 19th century
• enhance peoples enjoyment of their visit to Shropshire and the Shropshire Hills AONB
• encourage public interest to conserve the historic landscape and the features within it by raising people’s awareness and understanding

The results of the consultation can be viewed by opening the documents in the publications section on this page.

Green PPEA award

Does your community or parish want to:

• improve the churchyard for wildlife
• plant wildflowers on the village green
• create a new pond
• carry out a wildlife survey of the parish
• protect local heritage features
• promote wildlife walks
• find and protect your veteran trees
• and more.

Parish Plan Environmental Action (PPEA) is a new project aimed at helping communities in the Shropshire to turn their plans for wildlife and environmental projects into action. Officers will be able to offer time, advice and expertise to support suitable projects.

For more information contact Clive Dean or Shaun Burkey on 01691 624448

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