Southwell Ramblers Spring Break for 2019 was to Church Stretton, and fifteen members of the group spent three nights at the HF Holidays Longmynd House.
Church Stretton is a small town in Shropshire, 13 miles south of Shrewsbury and 15 miles north of Ludlow. The town was nicknamed Little Switzerland in the late Victorian and Edwardian period for its landscape, and became a health resort. Today, Church Stretton is a busy market town in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
On arrival on Tuesday afternoon the group went on a familiarisation walk into the town of Church Stretton to learn something of the history of the town.
Members of the group outside the HF Holidays Longmynd House
A short walk and a long walk was organised for each day, and non-walkers took trips in the surrounding area. On Wednesday the weather was fine and the short walkers and long walkers started on the same route to Pole Bank on the top of the Long Mynd. The short walkers returned to Longmynd House with Christine, and the long walkers were led by Peter on an extended walk returning over Minton Hill.
The walkers at the trig point on Pole Bank, the highest point on the Long Mynd.
On Thursday the weather was not so good with some rain showers, but again both short walkers and long walkers started on the same route over Ragleth Hill. The short walkers returned to Church Stretton with Pamela, and Dynah let the long walkers over Caer Caradoc Hill before returning to Church Stretton.
A few walkers made it to the top of Caer Caradoc Hill despite the howling gale!
It was a most enjoyable few days away and all group members were grateful to Christine and Keith for organising the trip.