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Carding Mill Valley and The Long Mynd

Shropshire  >  United Kingdom

Part of the wider National Landscape area of Shropshire Hills. An expansive area of heath and moorland with great countryside views.

Added* by Anastasia Mochalova
Most recent update 1 април 2026

Description

Starting from the bottom of the valley at Carding Mill Valley National Trust car park there is a stream along which you can hike up for excellent views of the surrounding National Landscape. Around the buildings here селска ластовичка and градска ластовичка often breed and can be seen during summer.

Follow the signs and path up to the waterfall Lightspout, keeping an eye out for воден ќос along the way, or explore your own route through the heather and bracken amongst which birds such as Red Grouse, планинско ливадарче, ливадска трепетилка, голем српоклун свиркач would be expected. In the air above гавран, Обична (Црнонокна) ветрушка, црвена луња, and глувчар are common.

In the summer полска чучулига display flights and distinctive song is often heard. In early May жолтоного блатарче is possible.

Overall spring and late summer are probably the best times of year to go.

Details

Access

Most visits will start by passing Church Stretton and either go along the valley towards the National Trust carpark, from which several advertised trails start, or along Bur Way where there is lots of parking spots and good view points. If prefering to stay in your car, a slow drive towards the Gilder Club can be interesting (or the adventerous could even take to the air there!) Press a P on the map for directions to a carpark.

There are train connections in Church Stretton from Shrewsbury, and Manchester. As well as local bus connections. It is about a mile from Church Stretton to the natural areas of interest. Although there would be quite an elevation gain a visit by bicyle is also possible.

Be prepared to spend at least half a day here for a thorough visit. The route shown on the map is about 7 km in total.

Terrain and Habitat

Moors/heathland , Scattered trees and bushes

Conditions

Hilly , Rocky

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Summer

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Strenuous

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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