Secret Hills Walking Holidays

Location:	Shropshire Hills
For:	Singles Walking
From:	28th December 2010
Days:	3, 4
Nights:	2, 3
Price:	£215, £275

Your alternative to Christmas Blues

In between Christmas and New Year - a social walking break in Shropshire glorious hill country. Evening entertainment, prizes for silly things, Two or three days walking, stay as long as you want.

A perfect antidote for those post Christmas blues, designed as the alternative to shopping, endless TV, visiting relatives and the boredom that Christmas can sometimes bring. Just relax, bring your sense of fun, and go away refreshed in time for your New Year celebrations. Relax and enjoy the antidote to Christmas with us.

Your Social Walking for Singles break

Two glorious walks on Wednesday and Thursday in the magnificent Shropshire Hills, with an option to walk onTuesday afternoon as well. Talking is as important as walking on this singles social walking break. The Shropshire Hills are a walkers paradise with good paths and an ever changing beautiful landscape. Gradual climbing to 500 metres, with every opportunity to revitalise yourself in our clean fresh air, amongst good company. Unrivalled views over 360 degress take in the mountains of mid Wales to Cader Idris and the Berwyns, the Malverns, Clee Hills and Staffordshire peaks as well as Shropshire's own individual hills. Superb hotel, good meals.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation is single en suite rooms - no sharing. All hotels have a bar, and lounge You can see the hotel accommodation by visiting www.longmynd.co.uk,  We have lunch at one of Shropshire’s lovely country pubs, and dinner is three course at the hotel. An example of a menu is shown here.  Walking starts at 9.30 am, and we generally finish for that welcome cuppa at 4.30 pm. This will give you plenty of time to get ready for dinner. Dress code is smart casual.

Your walks leaders will make this weekend break relaxing and the wonderful walking will stimulate your enthusiasm for the wide outdoors.

What you get on a Secret Hills break

• Hotel bed and breakfast– en suite two nights
• Three course dinner
• Lunch
• Personal service
• Expert guiding
• Flexibility
• No single supplement
• A social, relaxed approach

Walking - Grades and difficulty
We walk between 8 and 9 miles per day. We walk at a steady pace, we don’t rush. We want you to enjoy our lovely scenery - these hills are a walkers paradise with good paths and an ever changing landscape.

There are hills to ascend  - we go up to a maximum of 500 metres over two miles of walking, but the climbing is gradual and we won’t rush. What’s the point of huffing and puffing, being exhausted then not being able to enjoy this fabulous land. Descending is not precarious, and is gentle in relationship to many walking areas.

Shropshire is a land of ever changing vista’s - on any walk we get four or five different landscapes to enjoy. The views over 360 degrees are unrivalled - we see into Mid Wales to Cader Idris, the Berwyns, Malverns, Clee’s and Staffordshire peaks, as well as Shropshir’es own individual hills. Walking boots or shoes are obligatory, and many walkers find a walking pole useful, especially on the downhills. You will also need wet weather gear—generally we have a mild climate, lovely springs and autumns, and winter walking too is outstanding in theses secret hills.

Just arrive and enjoy.

Food  - all part of relaxing in these hills

All our hotels excel in giving you value for money and very tasty evening meals—they pride themselves on their food, much locally sourced and grown. At our lunch stops, they will make sure you have value for money and tasty baguettes, baked potatoes, sandwiches or salads, with tasty soups in the colder months. We cater for vegetarians and other dietary requirements.

The following menus is a sample. Menus change daily.

• Carrot and Coriander Soup
• Fresh Fruit and melon platter
• Crispy bacon salad with honey and mustard dressing
• Braised beef in Red Wine Gravy
• Grilled Rainbow Trout with Tomato and Citrus salsa
• Spanish Omelette with new potatoes, Peppers and red onions
• Dark Cherry and Chocolate Trifle
• Pear and Almond Tart with Vanilla Sauce
• Teas and Coffees
• Selection of Ice Creams and Sorbets

Walk One

A superb walk through Carding Mill Valley,  ascending to the top of the Long Mynd at Pole Bank. Walking along the heather-clad ridge before descending down one of the many delightful valleys for our lunch stop at a local hostelry. In the afternoon, we ascend Ragleth Hill and walk along it’s ridgeline with superb views in all directions. We finally return to Church Stretton in time for a cuppa.

 Walk Two

Our walk takes us to the ancient and picturesque village of Cardington, over the Stretton Hills in the morning, passing ancient rock formations, steeped in local legend. Lunch is at the magnificent Royal Oak - a 16th Century hostel, offering a great menu selection. We return to Church Stretton via the Wilderness and moody Caer Caradoc, site of an ancient hill fort.

 Walk Three

We travel out over the Long Mynd to reach the rocky tors of the Stiperstones ridge. This is a magnificent drive in Shropshire’s best hill country. Our walk takes us under the legendary Devil’s Chair before descending to the old lead mining village of Snailbeach. Lunch is at the quaint Stiperstones Inn.  In the afternoon, we pass several old lead mines as we view the Stiperstones Ridge from a distance ending up at The Bog Visitor Centre for a cuppa and cake. Transport back to Church Stretton.