Perfect for a Bank Holiday or weekend day trip, Church Stretton offers magnificent walks, fun independent shops and cosy cafes in the heart of Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd
15:50, 01 May 2026
Characterful Church Stretton in Shropshire is easy to reach by train
There are some places that simply make you feel great to be alive.
Stood on top of the Long Mynd, having walked the Carding Mill Valley waterfall walk, I could see a full 360 degrees around me and it was just wild ponies, heathland, birds of prey and big skies.
The Victorians described this cinematic landscape as ‘Little Switzerland’, according to the Lonely Planet England guide, and it’s easy to see why.
Read more: I fell in love with a National Trust waterfall walk just an hour from Birmingham
Read next: I found a National Trust cafe with a stunning rooftop terrace view just 70 minutes from Birmingham
Could there be a better way to top off a school holiday day trip out?
Oh yes, there could. And that was to drop into Church Stretton, the market town just a mile from this dreamy location.
Church Stretton in Shropshire(Image: Zoe Chamberlain)
If an afternoon spent mooching quirky independent shops, supping a pint in a quintessentially English beer garden or tucking into homemade cake in a family-run cafe is your kinda thing, then this is the place for you.
Also, Church Stretton train station is in the centre of the town, making it really easy to get there on public transport too.
We love a bargain so we had great fun browsing the rails of the charity shops in the quaint little place. There was even a posh one where all the clothes were colour-co-ordinated on white wooden hangers.
The beer garden of The Buck’s Head overlooking the church in Church Stretton, Shropshire(Image: Zoe Chamberlain)
We popped into The Outdoor Depot, a family-run shop that has everything you need for walking in the Shropshire countryside and Rainbow’s End for unusual gifts.
The Buck’s Head has a great beer garden with views of St Laurence Church and pretty hanging baskets and we couldn’t resist Mr Bun the Bakers for proper scones and tiffin. They even serve traditional school cake topped with sprinkles!
Whilst we didn’t go in, we loved the look of The Door Knocker Company hardware store – how many towns have their own door knocker shop?
The Door Knocker Company in Church Stretton in Shropshire(Image: Adam Fradgley)
We popped into indie bookshop Burway Books and the Stretton Antiques Market and had fun in Kaboodle, which smelt of the most amazing incense.
There are also clothing boutiques and a toy store too plus a chocolate shop and toy store tucked away on Sandford Avenue.
The King’s Arms is a cool black and white pub that serves Joule’s Pale Ale, Slumbering Monk, Pure Blonde and craft lager Green Monkey and The Little Cafe on the High Street offers bargain meals like beans on toast for just £3.
And, we liked the look of Housmans Restaurant as it had tapas plates for a fiver.
Housmans Restaurant in Church Stretton(Image: Adam Fradgley)
Read our review of the Carding Mill Valley waterfall walk and the National Trust rooftop cafe for must-see places to visit whilst here.
From here, you could also pop into Wyle Cop in Shrewsbury, which is said to have the longest stretch of uninterrupted independent shops in the UK.
And Britain’s oldest licensed brewery site is at the Three Tuns in Bishop’s Castle, where you can stop off to sample a tipple and you could add a visit to Stokesay Castle in Craven Arms to your day trip too.
This is where Atonement, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, was filmed.
How to get to Church Stretton from Birmingham
It takes around an hour and 20 minutes to get to Church Stretton via the M54.
Alternatively, there’s a station at Church Stretton so you can catch the train there from Birmingham New Street, changing at Shrewsbury. It takes around an hour and 40 minutes, depending on train times.
Follow Brummie Mummies Facebook and Instagram, get our free Brummie Mummies newsletter and listen to our podcasts here to keep updated on fun family things to do.