Orchard Barn Guidebook
Food scene
Where to go for great food in the area!
Ludlow is renowned for the diversity of local food and drink producers and the top quality restaurants available. Check out the selection below:
There’s a brilliant atmosphere in the town when the Ludlow Food Festivals take place! Lookout for the Spring Festival, Ludlow Food & Drink Festival & the Medieval Christmas Fayre.
The Ludlow Farm Shop is an amazing, mouth-watering shopping experience. Part of the Earl of Plymouth’s Oakly Park Estate, artisans make over half of the food they sell by hand using traditional methods. Just a couple of miles north of Ludlow, it’s easy to reach from Orchard Barn.
Ludlow is renowned for great pubs and restaurants, take your pick from the wonderful range available
For those with a desire for refined cuisine, Ludlow and the surrounding areas are renowned for fine dining. Here are a couple of our recommendations
Mortimers – Ludlow – Michelin Plate: Luxurious surroundings & exceptional dining
Old Downton Lodge – Michelin Pate: Downton on the Rock - Elegant dining & tasting menus
Fishmore Hall - Michelin plate - just outside Ludlow. Fantastic food in a lovely setting
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Ludlow
Ludlow is renowned for the diversity of local food and drink producers and the top quality restaurants available. Check out the selection below:
There’s a brilliant atmosphere in the town when the Ludlow Food Festivals take place! Lookout for the Spring Festival, Ludlow Food & Drink Festival & the Medieval Christmas Fayre.
The Ludlow Farm Shop is an amazing, mouth-watering shopping experience. Part of the Earl of Plymouth’s Oakly Park Estate, artisans make over half of the food they sell by hand using traditional methods. Just a couple of miles north of Ludlow, it’s easy to reach from Orchard Barn.
Ludlow is renowned for great pubs and restaurants, take your pick from the wonderful range available
For those with a desire for refined cuisine, Ludlow and the surrounding areas are renowned for fine dining. Here are a couple of our recommendations
Mortimers – Ludlow – Michelin Plate: Luxurious surroundings & exceptional dining
Old Downton Lodge – Michelin Pate: Downton on the Rock - Elegant dining & tasting menus
Fishmore Hall - Michelin plate - just outside Ludlow. Fantastic food in a lovely setting
Orchard Barn is in Corfton, and there are some great country local pubs within walking/cycling distance!
Orchard Barn is just a few hundred metres away from the Corvedale pub. Check with us to see if it's currently open.
Other locals we recommend within walking/cycling distance:
The Swan Inn – Aston Munslow – good traditional pub food with a warm welcome.
The Crown – Munslow – local pub & restaurant with award winning chef.
The Tally Ho – Boulden – a busy local, great food & a beer garden with fab views! Check with us to see if it's currently open.
Corfton
Orchard Barn is in Corfton, and there are some great country local pubs within walking/cycling distance!
Orchard Barn is just a few hundred metres away from the Corvedale pub. Check with us to see if it's currently open.
Other locals we recommend within walking/cycling distance:
The Swan Inn – Aston Munslow – good traditional pub food with a warm welcome.
The Crown – Munslow – local pub & restaurant with award winning chef.
The Tally Ho – Boulden – a busy local, great food & a beer garden with fab views! Check with us to see if it's currently open.
Sporty activities
Ideas for things to do (if you can pull yourself away from Orchard Barn that is!)
Walkers! There are some wonderful walks from Orchard Barn either down to the river meadows near the Corve or up to the scarp into Hope Dale. We can share our favourites with you, ranging from a quick 2-mile / 30 minute leg stretch to a wonderful 11 mile yomp ‘The Three Castles Walk’ around the Corvedale.
The South Shropshire Hills are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - it’s a hidden gem rich in wildlife, geology, heritage and culture.
There’s so much variety from the Long Mynd, the Wrekin & Stretton Hills, the Stiperstones and Clee Hills, the Wenlock Edge and the Clun forest – all are special and distinctive & only a short drive from Orchard Barn.
We can lend you maps and suggest our favourite walking routes on your arrival to Orchard Barn.
National Trust: Carding Mill Valley, the Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge
Corfton
Walkers! There are some wonderful walks from Orchard Barn either down to the river meadows near the Corve or up to the scarp into Hope Dale. We can share our favourites with you, ranging from a quick 2-mile / 30 minute leg stretch to a wonderful 11 mile yomp ‘The Three Castles Walk’ around the Corvedale.
The South Shropshire Hills are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - it’s a hidden gem rich in wildlife, geology, heritage and culture.
There’s so much variety from the Long Mynd, the Wrekin & Stretton Hills, the Stiperstones and Clee Hills, the Wenlock Edge and the Clun forest – all are special and distinctive & only a short drive from Orchard Barn.
We can lend you maps and suggest our favourite walking routes on your arrival to Orchard Barn.
National Trust: Carding Mill Valley, the Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge
Cyclists!
We can recommend our favourite rides, from those that keep on the flat(ish) roads in the Corvedale or tracks along the Wenlock Edge to routes that take you to the top of Shropshire’s highest – the Brown Clee – hills.
Just 10 miles away are Hopton Woods – the home of mountain biking in Shropshire, with over 12km of descents and climbs for moderate & experienced downhill riders.
Plenty of gravel trails are also waiting to be explored in the Mortimer Forest, again just 10 miles from Orchard Barn.
Hopton Woods
Cyclists!
We can recommend our favourite rides, from those that keep on the flat(ish) roads in the Corvedale or tracks along the Wenlock Edge to routes that take you to the top of Shropshire’s highest – the Brown Clee – hills.
Just 10 miles away are Hopton Woods – the home of mountain biking in Shropshire, with over 12km of descents and climbs for moderate & experienced downhill riders.
Plenty of gravel trails are also waiting to be explored in the Mortimer Forest, again just 10 miles from Orchard Barn.
Fly Fishers!
There’s a superb trout fishery just 2 miles away at Delbury Hall, and a variety of other opportunities for fishing in the Ludlow area. See the Ludlow website for further details
Delbury Hall Trout Fishery
Mill LaneFly Fishers!
There’s a superb trout fishery just 2 miles away at Delbury Hall, and a variety of other opportunities for fishing in the Ludlow area. See the Ludlow website for further details
Golfers! Ludlow golf course is only 10 minutes drive from Orchard Barn – described as ‘inland links’ it offers visitors an excellent relatively flat course.
By contrast, Church Stretton golf course, right in the heart of the Shropshire Hills uses the spectacular ‘undulating’ landscape to provide the golfing challenge – not for the faint hearted!
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Ludlow Golf Club
Golfers! Ludlow golf course is only 10 minutes drive from Orchard Barn – described as ‘inland links’ it offers visitors an excellent relatively flat course.
By contrast, Church Stretton golf course, right in the heart of the Shropshire Hills uses the spectacular ‘undulating’ landscape to provide the golfing challenge – not for the faint hearted!
Horse Racers! Ludlow Racecourse & Ludlow Races – known as ‘Lovely Ludlow’, this friendly racecourse shares its position with Ludlow golf course. Racing between October and May each year and just a 10 minute drive from Orchard Barn.
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Ludlow Race Club Limited
Horse Racers! Ludlow Racecourse & Ludlow Races – known as ‘Lovely Ludlow’, this friendly racecourse shares its position with Ludlow golf course. Racing between October and May each year and just a 10 minute drive from Orchard Barn.
Horse riders! Country Treks is a short drive away, but offers great opportunities to ride in the beautiful South Shropshire countryside.
Country Treks
Horse riders! Country Treks is a short drive away, but offers great opportunities to ride in the beautiful South Shropshire countryside.
Winter Sports Lovers! Skating or Skiing in Telford
Telford Ice Rink – Check out the internet pages for opening times during term times or holidays.
Telford Snowboard and Ski Centre – advanced bookings recommended for use of the dry ski-slope
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Telford Ice Rink
Winter Sports Lovers! Skating or Skiing in Telford
Telford Ice Rink – Check out the internet pages for opening times during term times or holidays.
Telford Snowboard and Ski Centre – advanced bookings recommended for use of the dry ski-slope
Garden Lovers
A walled garden haven for horticulturalists & garden lovers. Only 2 miles from Orchard Barn just beyond the church in Diddlebury. Sells lovely homemade afternoon teas too!
Mynd Hardy Plants
Mill LaneA walled garden haven for horticulturalists & garden lovers. Only 2 miles from Orchard Barn just beyond the church in Diddlebury. Sells lovely homemade afternoon teas too!
Nursery, gardens and tearoom in the old redbrick walls of Millichope Park's former kitchen garden. Just 3 miles up the B4368 towards Much Wenlock.
Wildegoose Nursery
Nursery, gardens and tearoom in the old redbrick walls of Millichope Park's former kitchen garden. Just 3 miles up the B4368 towards Much Wenlock.
A garden centre in Bromfield near Ludlow. Right next door to the wonderful Ludlow Food Centre and just behind the Clive Inn & the Ludlow Cafe. You'll be able to while away a few hours here!
The Plant Centre Ltd
A garden centre in Bromfield near Ludlow. Right next door to the wonderful Ludlow Food Centre and just behind the Clive Inn & the Ludlow Cafe. You'll be able to while away a few hours here!
(National Trust) A restored plantsman's garden & old kitchen garden too. Just 25 minutes away in Broseley, near Ironbridge
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Benthall Hall
(National Trust) A restored plantsman's garden & old kitchen garden too. Just 25 minutes away in Broseley, near Ironbridge
A 15th Century Castle in Herefordshire with spectacular gardens & a famous maze. About 30 minutes from Orchard Barn, just south of Ludlow. Absolutely wonderful walled gardens!
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Hampton Court Castle
A 15th Century Castle in Herefordshire with spectacular gardens & a famous maze. About 30 minutes from Orchard Barn, just south of Ludlow. Absolutely wonderful walled gardens!
Local market towns & market days
Much Wenlock Market days: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday
A lovely medieval town that feels more like a village. There are no ‘big names’, but plenty of traditional, independent shops. Discover links to the revival of the Olympic Games in the museum & visit the Wenlock Priory.
Much Wenlock Tourist Information and Visitor Guide
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Much Wenlock
Much Wenlock Market days: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday
A lovely medieval town that feels more like a village. There are no ‘big names’, but plenty of traditional, independent shops. Discover links to the revival of the Olympic Games in the museum & visit the Wenlock Priory.
Much Wenlock Tourist Information and Visitor Guide
Church Stretton – Market Day: Thursday
A busy and historic market town known as ‘Little Switzerland’ from its picturesque setting in the South Shropshire Hills. Popular as a base to explore the Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc & Hope Bowdler Hills, it has a variety of interesting shops and cafés to enjoy. Many go to walk the Cardingmill Valley, we’d encourage you to explore beyond that!
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Church Stretton
Church Stretton – Market Day: Thursday
A busy and historic market town known as ‘Little Switzerland’ from its picturesque setting in the South Shropshire Hills. Popular as a base to explore the Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc & Hope Bowdler Hills, it has a variety of interesting shops and cafés to enjoy. Many go to walk the Cardingmill Valley, we’d encourage you to explore beyond that!
Bridgnorth – Market day - Saturday
A spectacular setting for a town split into two: the high & low towns are connected by Britain’s steepest inland funicular railway. The River Severn flows past the low town which housed one of the busiest river ports in Europe. The high town has many timber framed buildings & the Castle Keep leans at an angle greater than the Tower of Pisa!
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Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth – Market day - Saturday
A spectacular setting for a town split into two: the high & low towns are connected by Britain’s steepest inland funicular railway. The River Severn flows past the low town which housed one of the busiest river ports in Europe. The high town has many timber framed buildings & the Castle Keep leans at an angle greater than the Tower of Pisa!
Clun
Mentioned in the Doomsday book & given an early town charter in the 14th Century, Clun in reality is more like a village. The Norman castle ruins make a scenic picnic spot & an idyllic stone packhorse bridge takes you into the heart of the village. From the quiet square, drop into the Clun Brewery or one of the little cafés for a cuppa.
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Clun
Clun
Mentioned in the Doomsday book & given an early town charter in the 14th Century, Clun in reality is more like a village. The Norman castle ruins make a scenic picnic spot & an idyllic stone packhorse bridge takes you into the heart of the village. From the quiet square, drop into the Clun Brewery or one of the little cafés for a cuppa.
Kid's adventures!
Check out the full size replica of a mammoth, take in an ice cream, go geocaching along the River Onny & enjoy the adventure play area. 10 minutes drive from Orchard Barn in Craven Arms.
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Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Market StreetCheck out the full size replica of a mammoth, take in an ice cream, go geocaching along the River Onny & enjoy the adventure play area. 10 minutes drive from Orchard Barn in Craven Arms.
Cycle hire for all the family – just 10 minutes drive from Orchard Barn near Ludlow.
Wheely Wonderful Cycling
Cycle hire for all the family – just 10 minutes drive from Orchard Barn near Ludlow.
Acton Scott Working Farm – Victorian working farm with pigs, goats, chickens etc. Daily farming activities, traditional crafts being demonstrated (or book on a course), tours & events. 20 minutes drive from Orchard Barn towards Church Stretton.
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Acton Scott
Acton Scott Working Farm – Victorian working farm with pigs, goats, chickens etc. Daily farming activities, traditional crafts being demonstrated (or book on a course), tours & events. 20 minutes drive from Orchard Barn towards Church Stretton.
Telford Town Park
Hinkshay RoadPark and adventure playground for kids
Safari Drive-through, adventure theme park, land of the living dinosaurs… and more! 40 minutes drive from Orchard Barn near Bewdley
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West Midland Safari Park
Spring GroveSafari Drive-through, adventure theme park, land of the living dinosaurs… and more! 40 minutes drive from Orchard Barn near Bewdley
High wire, archery, climbing wall, quad biking, mountain boarding, segways and much more
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The Edge Adventure Activities Ltd
Shrewsbury RoadHigh wire, archery, climbing wall, quad biking, mountain boarding, segways and much more
Check out the Blists Hill Victorian Village - part of the Ironbridge Gorge museums – great fun for kids. 30 minutes drive from Orchard Barn.
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Blists Hill Victorian Town
Legges WayCheck out the Blists Hill Victorian Village - part of the Ironbridge Gorge museums – great fun for kids. 30 minutes drive from Orchard Barn.
Check out Ingenuity - part of the Ironbridge Gorge museums – great fun for kids. 30 minutes drive from Orchard Barn.
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Enginuity
10 Wellington RdCheck out Ingenuity - part of the Ironbridge Gorge museums – great fun for kids. 30 minutes drive from Orchard Barn.
The Great Escape Company
Zip lines, high and low ropes courses available!
Birdwatching
From Orchard Barn, we’ve spent many hours watching families of buzzards circling overhead, red kites gliding past in search of prey and flocks of swifts screaming around the buildings on summers evenings. Come in the spring to hear the chatter from the jackdaws nesting in the trees at the bottom of the field. Keep your eyes peeled at dawn and dusk for the barn owls that live in the farm buildings opposite the barn.
From Orchard Barn, there are many local birding sites that can offer a rich variety of flora and fauna:
Orchard Barn
From Orchard Barn, we’ve spent many hours watching families of buzzards circling overhead, red kites gliding past in search of prey and flocks of swifts screaming around the buildings on summers evenings. Come in the spring to hear the chatter from the jackdaws nesting in the trees at the bottom of the field. Keep your eyes peeled at dawn and dusk for the barn owls that live in the farm buildings opposite the barn.
From Orchard Barn, there are many local birding sites that can offer a rich variety of flora and fauna:
Woodland habitat with the River Teme in a steep sided valley – 15 minutes drive, in Ludlow
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Whitcliffe Common Nature Reserve
4 Whitcliffe RdWoodland habitat with the River Teme in a steep sided valley – 15 minutes drive, in Ludlow
A former quarry & open mosaic habitat with 70 bird species & 23 species of butterfly recorded . Seasonal and permanent ponds surrounded by meadows, scrub & woodlands– 20 minutes drive, near Bridgnorth
Eardington Nature Reserve
A former quarry & open mosaic habitat with 70 bird species & 23 species of butterfly recorded . Seasonal and permanent ponds surrounded by meadows, scrub & woodlands– 20 minutes drive, near Bridgnorth
Large area of upland & a good chance to see Meadow Pipit, Merlin, Ravens & Red Kites – 20 minutes drive, near Church Stretton
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Long Mynd
Large area of upland & a good chance to see Meadow Pipit, Merlin, Ravens & Red Kites – 20 minutes drive, near Church Stretton
Managed as a wetland site for waders and waterfowl - 30 minutes drive away, near Cound
Venus Pool Car Park
Managed as a wetland site for waders and waterfowl - 30 minutes drive away, near Cound
A massive reclamation project has resulted in the colliery spoil heaps to be landscaped with birch woods, open scrub, meadows & formal grassland – 40 minutes drive, near Alveley
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Severn Valley Country Park
Chapel LaneA massive reclamation project has resulted in the colliery spoil heaps to be landscaped with birch woods, open scrub, meadows & formal grassland – 40 minutes drive, near Alveley
Steam train enthusiasts
Bridgnorth station is just a 35 minute drive from Orchard Barn.
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Severn Valley Railway (Bridgnorth)
Hollybush RoadBridgnorth station is just a 35 minute drive from Orchard Barn.
50 minutes drive from Orchard Barn.
Journey through beautiful Mid Wales countryside on a steam railway with memorable experiences for all ages.
Embrace the smells, sights, sounds and tastes of this fabulous visitor attraction.
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Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
50 minutes drive from Orchard Barn.
Journey through beautiful Mid Wales countryside on a steam railway with memorable experiences for all ages.
Embrace the smells, sights, sounds and tastes of this fabulous visitor attraction.