Shropshire Castles - England and Wales Bike Tour

Explore the border country of England and Wales - there are more castles and fortifications here than in any other part of Britain. There are big castles at Clun, Montgomery & Ludlow and fortifications everywhere. Dont miss the spectacular Caer Caradoc Iron Age hill fort at Church Stretton. A more relaxed bicycle tour with a mixture of daily mileages and rest days. Shropshire Castles bike tour: staying in Clun and Church Stretton and the medieval town of Ludlow.

Easy to moderate Shropshire Castles bike tour. Our special route guides and maps offer lots of alternatives. Total 72 miles (min) - 153 miles (max). Opportunities for longer rides each day.

Day 1. Petchfield Farm to Clun. 20 miles (32 km). You are fitted out with your bikes & equipment. Cycle along idyllic valley lanes past a string of picturesque villages, gradually leading you up through a cleft in the hills. Plenty of inns & teashops, on your route, including one in the historic village of Brampton Bryan with its grand yew hedge & castle. Clun is a charming border village, with a castle, museum, 2 teashops and two pubs that provide excellent food.

Day 2. Clun. Choice of rides 10 - 26 miles (16 - 42 km). Cycle up river to the tiny hamlet of Newcastle & Offas Dyke, or the Iron Age fort of Bury Ditches. If you want a rest from cycling, Clun is a great walking centre.

Day 3. Clun to Church Stretton. 26 miles (42 km). Today’s tour takes you to the border market town of Bishops Castle then over the heather covered grouse moors of the Long Mynd hills (the easy way). If you want to make this day more of a challenge you can also visit Montgomery with its spectacular castle and the dramatic Stiperstones.

Day 4. Church Stretton. Choice of rides 9 - 40 miles (14 - 64 km). Challenge yourself to cycle to the Roman town of Wroxeter and the Grand National Trust house of Attingham Park, cycle to a Saxon village or the ruins of Acton Burnell Castle. Explore the Long Mynd & Caer Caradoc Iron Age hill fort by foot.

Day 5. Church Stretton to Ludlow. 21 miles (34 km). Cycle to Ludlow, via Wenlock Edge. Don't forget to stop at the outstanding Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, star of TV series Victorian Farm. Ludlow is a medieval fortified town with a magnificent Norman castle. There are lots of very good inns and restaurants in Ludlow, including two with Michelin stars.

Day 6. Ludlow to Petchfield Farm. 5 - 20 miles (16 - 32 km). Your last cycling day - either 5 miles (8 km) through Mortimer Forest, 10 miles (16 km) via Richards Castle, one of the first Norman castles built in this country before 1066! Or 20 miles (32 km) via the River Teme and Tenbury Wells. Finishing any time in the afternoon, back at Petchfield Farm.