Name: Shropshire’s Ten Peaks Challenge
Brand: Secret Hills Walking Holidays
SKU: 1
Price: 880 GBP
Availability: InStock

01694 723600 info@secrethillswalking.co.uk

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One of Britain’s real secrets – The Shropshire Hills – rolling, hill country, with good walking paths and a real welcoming attitude. The whole Shropshire Hills area is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with Church Stretton at it’s heart. Join us in these secret hills for a Shropshire Experience – a holiday that lets you get away from everyday life into tranquil, peaceful land.

Our company designs specialist guided walking experiences for solos and single – in some of the most spectacular areas of the UK and Europe. We also specialise in designing bespoke holidays for specific groups.

Five days
Refund guarantee
Expert Tour Guides
Five Nights
Location: Shropshire Hills

What you get on a Secret Hills Break

Hotel bed and breakfast– en suite five nights.
Lunch- except first day
Sole Occupancy
Personal service
Expert guiding- friendly, local guides that know the area superbly well
Transport to walks start and finish as needed
Flexibility
No single supplement
A social, relaxed approach
Full joining details prior to your holiday
Our administration support from the point of booking to you joining the holiday

Hotel and Meals

This holiday is based in the centre of Church Stretton and uses several local guest houses – excellent accommodation and lovely breakfasts. Rooms en suite and no single supplement

We eat at the excellent eating houses in the town – varied cuisine – and we eat together each night.

We have not included the charge for evening dinner in this holiday cost – giving you the opportunity to select your own choices- and as Church Stretton hostelries like to feed you well- managing three courses might be yet another “peaky” challenge for the week.

We stay for five nights. Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday and Thursday.

Lunches either at one of our local pubs/cafes or in this holiday – there may be a packed lunch.

Flexibility

We offer you the opportunity to add additional nights to this holiday.

Great reasons to join us

There are other walking holiday companies that cover the countryside but we believe we offer the best value for many reasons….

We specialise in organising guided walking holidays for single and solos travellers
We are a small friendly company
We have a loyal customer base who return again and again (so we must be doing something right) – read our testimonials page on the website
We offer a lot of flexibility – you can stay extra nights which we are happy to organise for you. We are also very flexible on the walks we provide, adapting to suit walkers and weather conditions
Our walk leading is second to none. Unlike some other large Walking Companies, we use LOCAL leaders who live in the area and who love their surroundings. They have expert knowledge of everything you need to know to make an area come alive.
You are safe in our hands – our guides are experts, fully qualified in first aid. Also, because of their local knowledge of the hills, they can respond to any situation that might for example demand cutting short a route. They don’t need to consult maps – they know the hills intimately.
Our leaders are all easy-going, genuinely sociable people who want to ensure that you have the best time you can with the rest of the group. They make the weekend fun by engaging with all members of a group, and ensuring that everyone feels part of the group experience.
We give great value for money. Because we recognise that lots of walkers holiday on their own, we have negotiated no single supplement deals with all our hotels to ensure the best possible deal.
We always use good hotels.
We have smaller groups than some of the larger walking companies, because we believe the social experience is much better in a smaller group. People can talk to everyone, especially at dinner where you can all sit on one table in a small group. Our numbers vary from holiday to holiday but an average group size would be 8-12.

Directions

Getting to Church Stretton

By train – Church Stretton is the nearest station, right in the centre of Church Stretton. See http://www.nationalrail.co.uk

Full detailed journey instruction will be sent with your Joining Details prior to the holiday.

Itinerary

The holiday starts after lunch time on arrival day – we meet at the Buckatree Hall Hotel for a light lunch, to introduce ourselves and to your other guests- then we walk up the Wrekin 407 metres to its summit and return.

Solos and Singles Guided walking in the Shropshire Hills

We then travel to Church Stretton to our accommodation in the town’s guests houses. We dine together in one of Church Stretton’s superb hostelries and prepare for the next four days of excellent walking.

Day two– We take in Caer Caradoc– 458 metres, The Lawley 377 metres and Hope Bowdler Hill 426 metres in the Stretton Hills

Day three – Travel to the flanks of Brown Clee Hill and we walk the Clee Hills –Brown Clee 540 metres and and Titterstone Clee Hill 533 metres

Day four– Travel to the iconic quartzite ridge. The Stiperstones Natural England reserve is our walking target- we walk along the Stiperstones Ridge – highest point 536 metres and Black Rhadley Hill 402 metres

Solos and Singles Guided walking in the Shropshire Hills

Day five – We walk the Long Mynd – Haddon Hill 467 metres, Yearlet 466 metres, Pole Bank 516 metres along the long ridge of this iconic moorland hill country.

Walking starts each day at 9.15am and except for day 2, we will be back at our accommodation at 5.30pm. On day two – likely to be 6pm.

Are you counting? There are 11 peaks shown here- this allows flexibilty but sometimes we take in an extra peak as we are approaching one of our targets.

PLEASE NOTE

Although our leaders are well trained and experienced in dealing with different capabilities of our walking clients, if they have any concerns about any client’s ability or suitability to undertake safely any walking activity we plan or feel that participation of an individual may affect the groups safety and cohesion, then they have full permission to exclude that client from an activity.

They will always try to provide and alternative suggested activity, though this may involve the client in additional local cost.

We rarely have to enforce this above recommendation, but it is a sensible and necessary protection for the individual client, the group, and the leaders.

Grade and Difficulty

Walking – Grades and difficulty

Walking Grades

The paths in the Shropshire Hills are exceptionally good underfoot. There is an active Footpaths Group which regularly surveys paths and reports problems. This keeps the standard extremely high which makes walking in this area a real delight. You don’t have to worry about wading through waist high crops or stumbling over worn out stiles, you can simply relax and enjoy the views.

Our walks are usually between 10-11 miles. We don’t rush because we want you to have time to enjoy the amazing views and take those photos as mementos. Yes, you will be going up hills – with the ascents challenging for short periods. Descents are steep for short sections.

The walks on this trip are rated as Moderate but each day involves a fair amount of ascent and descent. The trip requires a reasonable amount of fitness, ideally with previous hill walking experience.

You need good walking footwear, preferably waterproof walking boots with good soles for protection. You may find that walking poles will aid your enjoyment of this land.

Exclusions

Although our leaders are well trained and experienced in dealing with different capabilities of our walking clients, if they have any concerns about any clients ability or suitability to undertake safely any walking activity we plan or they feel that participation of an individual may affect the groups safety and cohesion, then they have full permission to exclude that client from an activity.

They will try at all times to provide an alternative suggested activity, though this may involve the client in additional local cost.

We rarely have to enforce this above recommendation, but it is a sensible and necessary protection for the individual client, the group and the leaders.

The Walking Routes

This holiday is designed to cover most of the peaks of the Shropshire Hills.

The first afternoon – we ascend the Wrekin Hil

Day two – We take in Caer Caradoc – 458 metres, The Lawley 377 metres and Hope Bowdler Hill 426 metres in the Stretton Hills Solos and Singles Guided walking in the Shropshire Hills

Day three – Travel to the flanks of Brown Clee Hill and we walk the Clee Hills – Brown Clee 540 metres and Titterstone Clee Hill 533 metres

Day four – Travel to the iconic quartzite ridge. The Stiperstone Natural England reserve is our walking target- we walk along the Stiperstones Ridge – highest point 536 metres and Black Rhadley Hill 402 metres

Day five– We walk the Long Mynd – Haddon Hill 467 metres, Yearlet 466 metres, Pole bank 516 metres along the long ridge of this iconic moorland hill country

Walking starts each day at 9.15am and except for day 2 we will be back at our accommodation at 5.30pm. On day two – likely to be 6pm.

Meet New Friends

Its all about meeting new friends. Each holiday is designed to be a friendly, relaxed and stress free occasion. Talking is as important as walking on Secrethills Walking Holidays. We don’t go in for discos, we may use an event that is taking place in the area we are in to boost the weekends activities – but its good, old fashioned chat that makes our short breaks successful.

“Make new friends that turn into old friends” – that’s our motto.

You might be surprised by what fun you’ll have with people who are older or younger than you during a holiday with us, and that’s exactly the sort of atmosphere we encourage; people find it very rewarding. It doesn’t matter what your reasons for traveling with us are, we’ve had people who are single, divorced or widowed, people who have partners that are unable to travel, and people who can’t holiday with their friends anymore as they’ve all got married themselves. There are people who want to make friends, see sights, and experience something completely new. Whatever your reason, we’ll welcome you with open arms and our friendly hosts will help you to get the most out of your holiday.

Don’t worry if this is the first time you have ventured to join a group holiday – its always a bit daunting – but we will look after you and ensure that you get used to being amongst friends again. Trust us to to get you back into the swing of things.

Oh – by the way – its not a dating agency – over the years we have had people meet and fall in love – but that’s just chance. Our aim is that you make like minded friends – just relax and enjoy.

Just arrive and enjoy.

How to Book

To reserve a place on any of our holidays, please follow these simple instructions.

Reserve online – once you have chosen your holiday, click on Proceed Booking and complete the online form. If you have difficulty reserving online, please contact us (tel: 01694 723600, email: info@secrethillswalking.co.uk) and we will assist you to complete your booking.

Payment

Please note we cannot take credit/debit card details over the phone. You may pay by the following methods when you book online…

Paypal – if you have a Paypal account, simply click on the link to the Paypal website.
Credit / Debit card – we use Paypal to host our credit/debit cards facility because it is a very secure system. So if you want to pay with a card, simply click on this option which will take you to our page on the PayPal website. Check in there as a “Guest” to enable your card payment. You do not need to have a Paypal account for this transaction.
We will also accept a Bank Transfer – you will find our account details on the booking form.
Finally, we will also accept a cheque payable to Secret Hills Walking Holidays and sent to: Secret Hills Walking Holidays, 35 Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6BH

Please note than an initial deposit is required with each booking regardless of which payment method you choose. Your booking will be accepted when your payment (deposit or full balance) is received. Note – if you are reserving a holiday within a month of the start date then the full amount is due immediately and no deposit should be paid.

It is important that you read the terms and conditions before you sign the booking form.

Note – if you are reserving a holiday within a month of the start date then the full amount is due immediately and no deposit should be paid.

Location

The Local area

Church Stretton is an historic Market Town situated in the heart of the South Shropshire hills on the English/Welsh border known as The Marches. It is the only town in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The area is renowned worldwide for its geology, with some of the oldest rock formations in existence.

Church Stretton and its picturesque surrounding villages forms an excellent base for the country lover and sportsman alike at all times of the year whether hikers, horse riders, mountain bikers, or naturalists . The Long Mynd rising above the west of the town is renowned for gliding, hang gliding and paragliding, and boasts the second highest golf course in England. The beautiful countryside, with its wild uplands and breathtaking views, features prominently in the books of Mary Webb, A E Housman, and Malcolm Saville.

Church Stretton is very well situated to act as a base for visits to many local attractions. At the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are market towns & villages, castles, hill forts and much much more nearby.

Solos and Singles Guided walking in Shropshire

It’s not just the stunning scenery that will captivate you, but the people and places, its history and heritage, the walking and wildlife, its food and festivals. Combined they offer magical experiences. Such magic is best summed up by the Independent newspaper review in 2009 which claimed Church Stretton to be “England’s ultimate retreat”.

Near Church Stretton

Within a short car or train journey, you have the iconic Ironbridge Gorge, picturesque Shrewsbury – its castle, gardens and medieval centre, Ludlow and its foodie centres, the Wrekin, Mid Wales coast line, Powys Castle, historic Chester, the Dee Valley, the Severn Valley, its railway and Bridgnorth town. All are well worth a visit.

Photos

Solos and Singles Guided walking in the Shropshire Hills

Solos and Sigles Guided walking in the Shropshire Hills

Guided walking in Shropshire and Ironbridge

Reviews

6 Reviews

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Tracy Threadgold

Solo Traveller

Hello Alan,
Thank you so much to you, Ing, Helene and Ian (walk leaders) for another fantastic holiday – my 36th with Secret Hills Walking Holidays, doing the strenuous Ten Peaks holiday based at Church Stretton. Great food, first class accommodation, the best walks as ever, even on the day it rained!
It was lovely to meet up with so many people on that weekend from previous holidays. It is not only me who appreciates the firstclass customer service and flexibility which makes me return time and time again and puts Secret Hills Walking Holidays way above the rest.
Regards to all.

August 23, 2023

David Abbott

Solo Traveller

Another very enjoyable holiday with Secret Hills.
Good guiding from all guides, as usual. Looked after us well, and kept us going in the tropical heat, over many hills!
Yew Tree Inn was excellent. Rooms really comfortable. Looked after us well…Food really good quality and presentation, at reasonable prices. Beer good too…Thoroughly recommend the place. Organisation, again as usual, was very good… have booked another holiday.

September 9, 2022

Pete Hurst

Solo Traveller

My first time on this type of holiday. Guides were helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I liked the Yewtree. Good food, good value. Good that most of the group was there. Organisation of holiday – Good, clear instructions. Any queries speedily dealt with via phone or email. I liked the personal/helpful service – a good ‘family’ feel. Thanks again to you and your team for a a great experience.

August 26, 2022

Jane Walford

Solo Traveller

Hotel was excellent. Lovely rooms, friendly and helpful staff. Good food in large portions. Walks were in fantastic scenery, of a good length and the guides were all very good. Overall, it was a great holiday. Thank you.

August 8, 2021

Tracy THreadgold

Solo Traveller

Alan, Thanks to you and all the team for another brilliant walking break. Spectacular, varied scenery, great leaders and plenty of good food as usual.

August 8, 2021

Shropshire’s Ten Peaks Challenge

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