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Where to walk, what to see, what to do, what to wear. If I have one aim it is to make walking cool to the masses. This being a rather perplexing goal as I am neither remotely cool nor do I enjoy a mass accumulation of folk.

Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Attingham Park


I had the pleasure of growing up only a few miles from Attingham Park, so this National Trust property and its beautiful woodland walks have held my affections for more than twenty years.

Just a short drive from Shrewsbury, this estate has seen many changes in its two hundred and twenty seven year history, from being home to successive Lord and Lady Berwicks to operating as an Adult Learning College.

 Perhaps its most beneficial developments have occurred this century, with the National Trust’s commitment to restoring the mansion and grounds as part of the Attingham Re-discovered project.

 For the walker, this programme of development is providing new areas of the park to explore, which have previously been out of bounds to visitors.

This new route extends the existing Deer Park walk to three miles and winds its way through woodlands. Unfortunately for me, this extra route was closed for shooting, so I will have it to look forward to on my return visit.

The fittingly named ‘Mile Walk’ offers not only a shorter route around the park, but an accessible pathway too.

Both routes start from the Carriage House and follow the River Tern as it cuts its way through the park, setting its sights on the River Severn to the south of the grounds. Inquisitive walkers can venture into the Walled Garden and the brave amongst can take a peek at the bees in the new observation hive.

The path meanders its way through to the first crossing of the River Tern on this walk.  Here the state of the art suspension bridge has replaced the once narrow and very bouncy bridge that I remember from my youth.

The family dog once nervously attempted to tackle it by lying on his belly and dragging himself across, but learnt quickly from this folly and always choose to swim the stretch on future walks.

We also held many fiercely contested pooh stick races here, with the successful contender being the first one to emerge from under the bridge.

Once on the other side of the Tern, the route can become quite muddy underfoot, but it is well worn and signposted throughout the woodland.

Passing through a kissing gate you enter the deer park, with beautiful open views across the river towards the mansion and the heavy presence of the Wrekin looming to the east.

The large herd of fallow deer that call this park their home are quite used to sharing this space with walkers and will allow you to get close enough for a good photo opportunity.

The walk heads back over the Tern once more and up to the mansion where I like to stop and survey the view across to the Shropshire hills; a sight largely unaltered since the first Lord and Lady Berwick stood here in the late 1700s.

The route reaches its conclusion back at the Carriage House where weary walkers can treat themselves to a heady mix of tea, cake and even local Fidget Pie.


Walking Threads
Although the easy access Mile Walk is solid underfoot, if you choose to venture out on the longer route you will definitely need walking boots and maybe even wellies during the winter months when some paths can become quite muddy.
Most of the walk is sheltered by wooded areas, but a bitter wind can envelop when crossing the open field in the Deer Park: a good woolly hat is a must during the colder months.

The Essentials

Location: Atcham, 4 miles east of Shrewsbury on the B4380

Transport: Free car park on site
A bus from Shrewsbury and Telford stops outside the main gate

The Route: Mile Walk – easy access, mostly flat surface
Deer Park walk- 3 miles, mostly flat with well-worn but muddy paths in winter

Facilities: Toilets, Café, Gift Shop

What to See: Mansion House, Walled Garden, Stables, Fallow Deer

Price: Adult £4.05 Children £2.15 (Park and Garden only)

The park is open most days of the year, closing around dusk.

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