- info@rivercottagemelverley.com
- 07861 706160
Menu
Why not visit the historic towns of Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Welshpool, which are all within a 25 minute drive of the cottage.
Shrewsbury is one of the finest Tudor towns in England and boasts over 660 listed buildings. It is at the very heart of Shropshire and is the birthplace of Charles Darwin.
The town centre is almost an island, encircled by a meandering loop of the River Severn. Within its loop are distinctive churches, Shrewsbury Castle, beautiful timber-framed houses and a sweeping riverside parkland known as the Quarry or Quarry Park.
With a great selection of independent boutiques, gift shops, galleries, as well as a vibrant indoor market packed with quirky shops and exciting food stalls, has been voted Britain’s Favourite Market.
You could choose to eat out at one of the many cafes and restaurants before heading along to watch a show at Theatre Seven or a film in the Tudor cinema.
There’s something for everyone, from Folk Festivals to the world’s oldest Flower Show, or if you’re feeling more adventurous why not visit Shrewsbury prison and take on their ‘Hole Escape Room’ or their ‘Prison Break Escape Game’ !
Oswestry is a traditional market town with award winning weekly markets both indoor and outdoor*. From the 3000 year Old Oswestry Hillfort, one of the best in Britain, to the historic town centre, Oswestry’s history is waiting to be explored. (*Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays)
You’ll find a mix of eclectic independent shops, quirky antiques shops, museums and art galleries and you’ll be spoilt for choice with the different tea rooms, cafes and coffee shops selling home-made delicacies, cakes and local produce.
Or you could visit The British Ironwork Centre where the famous Spoon Gorilla was created as well as the Knife Angel which is now recognised as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression.
Welshpool’s main streets are lined with fine Georgian buildings. The small, hexagonal building tucked behind Broad Street was an 18th century cock-fighting ring. It’s very rare to find one still standing in Britain !
The town has a thriving high street which offers an array of independent shops, offering unique and speciality products, with quaint archways and passages leading to other local offerings.
Eating establishments range from charming cafes and small restaurants, to country pubs. Welshpool also has two award winning local shops; Andrews Fish Bar and Rikki Lloyd Butchers, both located on High Street.
A trip here wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Powis Castle. Built around 1200 as a medieval fortress, the castle sits high on a rock above its world-famous garden and is home to one of the UK’s most significant collections of Indian objects.
For a unique and beautiful shopping centre you can find Coed-y-Dinas (Charlies Stores Ltd Group) a Welsh, independent, family-run retailer who have been operating for nearly 30 years, on the outskirts of the town. Why not make a day of it and pay a visit to the Llyn Coed Y Dinas Nature Reserve which is home to a variety of wildlife including birds, butterflies, moths, dragonflies, damselflies and otters to name but a few !
Or if you’re visiting from April to October, you can ride the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway along this delightful narrow-gauge heritage railway from Raven Square to Llanfair Caereinion. For the ultimate retro adventure you could even book a Driver Experience course, which allows you to take the controls !
Some other local attractions within an hours drive of Melverley include the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge with the world’s first iron bridge. Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall, one of the Seven Wonders of Wales, at 240 feet it is the tallest single drop waterfall in England and Wales. The Victorian reservoir of Lake Vyrnwy, just south of Snowdonia which is a designated National Nature Reserve.
If you feel like stretching your legs you could hike on Glyndwr’s Way or walk up to Rodney’s Pillar. Or if you’re feeling more energetic you could visit one of the nearby mountain biking trails at Long Mynd, Stiperstones, Haughmond Hill or One Planet
Adventure at Coed Llandegla.
For those of you seeking the ultimate adrenaline rush why not sign up to do some paragliding from the top of the Long Mynd ! There’s so much to do and see you won’t struggle to fill your days.