All Stretton welcomes walkers, runners, horse-riders, cyclists, dogs…!
We’re so lucky to be here in beautiful countryside, one of the last quiet, undeveloped corners of the Midlands. An area with old forts, barrows, trackways dating back thousands of years. All Stretton of course welcomes visitors but please take care of the unspoilt country. Working-from-home, and lockdowns, are increasing weekday and year-round pressure on this easily-damaged environment.
The Long Mynd itself is ancient common ground, looked after by the National Trust from their Carding Mill office – and shared by the registered ‘commoners’ who live nearby. The commoners own the sheep and ponies you may meet: please treat them with care, especially during lambing: please do not feed livestock, and do keep dogs under control. Our local farmers are very important to maintaining the countryside – and indeed helping out in a crisis: please respect their land as well as their stock.
If you’re not aware, there are no public toilets or cafes in the village. If you need these please consider going to Carding Mill Valley or Church Stretton. (Though of course we’re very pleased to have the Yew Tree in the heart of the village opening lunch and evenings – check current hours and offers check here).
Helpful hints for visitors:
- The weather often changes fast on the Mynd, so please come prepared. Emergency service’s access is difficult, should you need. A local vicar once got lost on the Mynd and spent nearly 24 hours trying to find his way down.
- Please be considerate of other users, whether walkers, runners, horse-riders, cyclists – and especially children of course. If you’re using a headtorch at night please don’t blind those who prefer walking in the dark!
- Dogs love it here but please keep them away from livestock (during lambing they are best on a lead) and keep them in sight: several dogs are lost locally every year. And please clear up after them! There are bins by the bus stop, war memorial and at the top and bottom of the Batch Valley.
With its unique geology much of the country here is special and fragile, with rare species of plants and wildlife. So please:
- Stay on registered paths and bridleways as much as you can: the more we use the verges the more the grass gets worn away
- If you come by car, do park by the road or in the car park areas and please not on grass or heather (and please don’t take powered vehicles of any kind on the hills)
- If you’re enjoying the area as a cyclist:
- please use appropriate tyres (not road tyres!)
- please stay on bridle paths not footpaths
- please don’t use Strava or time-trial (we know some local residents – parents with pushchairs, the elderly – are scared by oncoming cyclists, and so don’t go for walks as they used to).