Craven Arms

The railway carved this market town from thin air in the 1860s, creating a junction where six lines met in what was previously empty farmland. Today's Craven Arms feels refreshingly unpretentious - a proper working town that happens to sit in one of England's most beautiful areas. The high street does what it says on the tin: shops for locals rather than tourists, though the weekly market still draws folk from across south Shropshire.

Black Mountain looms to the west, offering cracking walks for those willing to make the climb. It's a proper hill, not some gentle slope, but the views across the Clun Valley are well worth the effort. Closer to town, Dingle-du forest provides easier rambling through mixed woodland, while Rhos Fiddle Nature Reserve protects a lovely patch of ancient meadow that comes alive with wildflowers in late spring.

The surrounding countryside rolls away in all directions - classic border country where England meets Wales. Drive ten minutes south and you'll hit Clun, one of the quietest towns in England according to A.E. Housman's poem. Head north towards Church Stretton and the Shropshire Hills unfold before you, all heather-covered slopes and hidden valleys.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The railway still serves Craven Arms, though with far fewer lines than its Victorian heyday. By car, it sits where the A49 meets the B4368, making it a natural base for exploring both the Marches and the wider Shropshire Hills. Staying at one of the local parks puts you right in the heart of walking country, with trails leading directly from your door into some of the most unspoiled landscape in the Welsh borders.