Secret Hills Walking Holidays

Location:	Shropshire Hills
For:	Singles Walking
From:	7th May 2010
Days:	2/3
Nights:	2
Price:	£195

Your Social Walking for Singles break

Two glorious walks on Saturday and Sunday in the magnificent Ironbridge Gorge and the Severn valley, with an option to walk on Friday 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 250 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.

We offer two days of walking, with two nights in the Best Western Valley Hotel, deep in the Ironbridge Gorge, just 400 yards from the Ironbridge itself. We meet on Friday evenings, at 7.00 pm, for a three course dinner and a discussion on what we are doing during the weekend. Each weekend’s walking has a different theme, to fit into the time of year, or events going on in the area. 

 Accommodation and meals

Accommodation is single en suite rooms - no sharing. The  hotels have a bar, and lounge You can see the hotel accommodation by visiting the hotel website 

  Ironbridge is a fantastic tourist destination for group travel, and is one of the world's "must see" destinations. Three hundred years ago the industrial revolution was born here, and is now a World Heritage Site enjoyed by all who visit.

Best Western Valley Hotel is a Georgian listed building offering group accommodation in the Ironbridge Gorge, winner of the Best western Hotel of the year award in 2008. Set on the banks of the River Severn overlooking award winning parkland it is ideally situated for exploring the Gorge and it is the only AA 3 star 2 AA rosette awarded hotel actually in Ironbridge. So why not wake up in the remarkable Ironbridge Gorge, you'll find the past all around you, and all the museum sites and the Ironbridge site itself within walking distance.

Our Chef will prepare a delicious menu with a choice of three options for each course, changing on a daily basis.

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.

 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.

• Cream of Cauliflower soup
• Fresh Fruit and melon platter
• Breaded mushrooms in garlic mayonaise dressing
• Roast breast of chicken with all the trimmings
• Salmon, Haddock and Herb Potato cake 
• Char grilled sirloin steak, field mushrooms vine tomatoes and chips.
• Mediterranean vegetable tart
• Warm apple and cinnamon pie, creme anglaise
• Selection of cheeses and biscuits
• Vanilla Creme brulee, with shortbread biscuits
• Teas and Coffees