dearnford: local attractions & surrounding area

Located just south of Whitchurch in Shropshire, between the county towns of Chester and Shrewsbury and only one hour from Manchester and Birmingham. Dearnford is easily accessible and is surrounded by a wealth of interesting places to visit. add text etc...

Gardens of Delight

Wollerton Old Hall - www.wollertonoldhallgarden.com
Among the finest gardens in the world in terms of design and content. A plantsman's paradise this 3 acre garden surrounds a 16th century house with a lime alley and collection of clematis and roses. Open through the summer on Friday and Sunday afternoons - 12 noon till 5pm.

Dorothy Clive Gardens - www.dorothyclivegarden.co.uk
A quarry garden and spectacular waterfall.

Hawkstone Historic Park and Follies - www.hawkstone.co.uk
A unique Grade 1 landscape of dramatic cliffs, towers, grottos and secret valleys - a bracing walk with wonderful views and we recommend you wear stout walking shoes.

Cholmondeley Castle - www.stmem.com/cholmondeleycastlegardens
A romantic castle garden.

Bridgemere Garden World
Europe's largest garden centre.

Weston Park - www.weston-park.com
Seat of the Earl of Bradford.

Walks and Trails

There are lovely walks at Brown Moss and around the mere or glacial at Ellesmere.

Colemere Country Park
A gentle stroll around this glacial mere with lots of birdlife to watch.

Mosses Trail
On Fenn's and Whixall Mosses to see butterflies, dragonflies, curlews and birds of prey overhead. Tel: 01948 880362

You can pick up the Sandstone Trail at Grindley Brook Locks just north of Whitchurch or enjoy the towpath walks along the Shropshire Union Canal, a liquid highway to Telford's stupendous aqueduct.

Food and Farming

Shropshire boasts some of the best farming land in the country and produces some of the finest food in the UK. Whitchurch district is well-known for its Farmhouse Cheshire Cheese and Real Dairy Ice-Cream.

Visit Heart of England Fine Foods - www.heff.co.uk

Appleby's of Hawkstone Traditional Cheese - applebysofhawkstone.co.uk

Things to do!

Wickers World Balloon Flights - www.wickersworld.co.uk
Launching from Dearnford Lake

West Midland Shooting Ground - www.wmsg.co.uk
Offers Clay Shooting, 4x4 driving, archery, quad bikes and helicopters.
Tel: 01939 200644

National Trust - www.nationaltrust.org.uk
For Attingham Park, Sunnycroft, Erddig, Chirk Castle, Powis Castle, Biddulph Grange Garden, Bodnant Gardens.

Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Museum - www.ironbridge.org.uk