Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd
Take a walk across the wildlife-rich heathland and enjoy the views across the Shropshire Hills, or simply play in the stream in the valley.
Covering as much as 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of heather-covered hills with stunning views of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Welsh hills, this National Trust park is an important place for wildlife, geology and archaeology.
There are paths for walking, cycling and horse riding, you can even drive to the top of the hill to take in the views. In Carding Mill Valley there are excellent visitor facilities including a tea-room, toilets and car parking. In Carding Mill Valley you can play in the stream, watch birds from the hide, pond dip and relax with a picnic; or you can simply use the Valley as your base for the day and head on up the hill for an adventure. You don’t have to venture far out of the Valley to find your own piece of solitude on the Long Mynd.
Get active
Lace up your walking boots or jump onto your bike – there are miles of footpaths, bridleways and permissive paths to explore across the Long Mynd. You don’t have to go far out of Carding Mill Valley to find some peace and tranquillity, especially when you get to the top of the hill.
With thousands of acres to explore and lots of ways to enjoy yourself here are some ideas for things to do.
Head to the top
Pull on your walking boots and head to the top of the hill where you can take in the beautiful views, on a clear day you can see over 50 miles in each direction. In the winter the cloud fills the valley to make it feel as if you are walking on the top of the world. Sheep grazing on Long Mynd ©National Trust Images/John Miller
Get on your bike
With tough climbs, high speed descents, technical tracks and great views along the way, mountain biking on the Long Mynd is definitely rewarding.
Go wild swimming
Why not go for a dip in the reservoir? There are some brave souls who swim all year round. Do be careful though, read the information at the reservoir before going in and do not swim solo in the winter. A warming drink by the tea-room fire is well earned afterwards.
Try orienteering
Orienteering is a sport that combines map reading and running with competitors having to find their way between a series of checkpoints, called ‘controls’ as quickly as possible. You can take part just for fun though and at your own pace. There are short, medium and long courses available to have a go at.
Take in the views
Whichever way you choose to explore Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd, you will be rewarded with spectacular views. ls are watering holes for the sheep and ponies that graze on the hill.
Gaze at the stars
Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd has been awarded Dark Sky Discovery Site (DSDS) status for four locations across the valley and the hill. Enjoy the extra clarity and darkness winter affords for some eye-popping stargazing.
Any location that is accessible to the public, where there is a good clear view of the night sky can be accepted as a DSDS. The degree of darkness determines its classification, Milky Way Class being the highest. All four of the sites on Long Mynd are in the Milky Way class as it is possible to see the Milky Way with the naked eye there. As the Long Mynd is open access countryside you can go stargazing any night you like.
Common land for all
The Long Mynd is an area of common land which is cared for by a group of farmers, known as commoners, who graze sheep and ponies on the land.
Everyone is welcome to access all common land on foot and here at the Long Mynd we also welcome horse riders and cyclists although these are restricted to bridleways only.
So, next time you’re walking, cycling or horse riding across the Long Mynd, consider the generations of commoners who’ve helped to shape the landscape beneath your feet. The important work of commoners looking after the grazing on the Long Mynd continues today and it is imperative that the valuable skills and traditional techniques developed by commoners throughout the ages are not lost.
For more information about Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd, visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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