Things to do at Black Sheep Barn
We think this is a very special place to spend your time so we wanted to share some ideas of what we like to do - and hopefully you will too.
Leave the car where it is and explore the magic of Brown Clee Hill from your doorstep or head out for lunch and a stroll through one of the many lovely local market towns.
We will be adding more details of some of our favourites on this page whenever we can.
We have lived on the hill for many years now and never tire of exploring it. You could bring all the food you need with you for your whole holiday (or arrange a supermarket delivery), park the car up and easily spend your whole time exploring this beautiful wild place, swimming in Boyne Water and searching for the wild horses - and then relaxing by the fire listening to records and watching the clouds whizz by.
Brown Clee Hill
You will be able to explore the magical, and relatively unknown, beauty of Brown Clee Hill from your doorstep. We think it is the perfect place for families, walkers, runners, cyclists, picnickers, bird watchers, tree lovers, wild swimmers - and anyone else who likes to spend time outdoors.
When you arrive at Black Sheep Barn you will find ideas, information and maps to help you plan - and you can always ask us if you like .
Here's a sketch map to whet your whistle.
**Please note: We've made some of these place names up over the years so don't worry if you can't find them on a 'proper' map.
Exploring the area
Here's a little map showing the local towns and wild places that are worth a visit in our opinion.
Local hills and forests to explore
The Long Mynd - A great place for longer walks, runs, cycles etc. Lovely steep sided valleys holding fast streams. Heather covered hilltops. Curlew if you are lucky. Most visits start at Cardingmill Valley where there is a massive National Trust carpark, visitor centre and cafe.
We like to head to one of the many lovely cafes in Church Stretton, which is at the base of the Long Mynd. Our current favourite cafe is Berrys. It has a nice little high street too.
Clee Hill - People tend to confuse Clee Hill with Brown Clee Hill (where we are). Clee Hill, also called Titterstone Clee Hill is more barren and windswept than Brown Clee Hill, in our opinion, but somewhere we like to walk, run and visit. You can work your way through the old quarry buildings and excavations up on the top for some fab views. There is a big radar thing up there that looks like a giant golf ball. Locals still talk of there being a listening station up there that used to spy on Russia....
Stiperstones - A bit further from here but worth the trip as it is wild, rocky, windswept and beautiful. Like much of South Shropshire, an ancient place where you can almost feel how old it is. Ravens and other birds soar overhead as you scrabble along rocky paths surrounded by heather.
Wenlock Edge - If you are into geology then this is a bit of a mecca for some people. I think there's a whole geological age named after it? We go fossil hunting here sometimes, or walk or run along the lovely paths, through the ancient woods, past old lime kilns, exposed ancient sea beds and bird hides with the fields to the north of you dropping away below.
Mortimer Forest - A large ancient forest with miles of marked paths to follow. From short accessible paths for all, to challenging longer routes like the Climbing Jack. A good place for wildlife spotting if you keep your eyes open. Then you can descend a short way into Ludlow for lunch.
Wyre Forest - A bit more of a commercial and busy place. But we still head here sometimes for bike rides, Go Ape and there is a Parkrun too.
Local towns and Attractions
Ludlow - we use Ludlow as our local town. It has a few supermarkets and all the useful things we need - but if you are on holiday and have the time - I would suggest strolling the lovely streets, entering any of the many independent pubs or shops in the town, many selling delicious food and drink type of things, exploring the many markets or pretty impressive castle and sitting by the river. It's a great town for lunch (or late breakfast). Our favourite is The Green Cafe, right by the river, run by a local family using the most local food they can find.
Bridgnorth - We are a bit spoilt for lovely towns. This is another one. The Severn Valley Steam Railway runs from here which is a good day out, or just pop in and watch the trains from the platform. There is a high town and low town and a funicular joining them - everyone loves a funicular surely?
Much Wenlock - A small ancient market town, with a cracking butchers, some lovely shops and cafes, an abbey to visit - and it's the home of the modern olympic games. Our favourite cafe there is Barrow Street. You can combine a visit here with a trip to Wenlock Edge.
Bishops Castle - A bit further to drive but a great little place renowned locally for its breweries, pubs, bookshop and our favourite.....the Poetry Pharmacy . You can combine a trip here with a visit to the Stiperstones or The Long Mynd.
The Iron Bridge - The world's first iron bridge and a bit of a tourist hot spot. It's a proper holiday day out in the lovely Severn valley with a living Victorian museum too.
Food and Drink
South Shropshire has many great places to eat. Some of our favourites, which are mostly relatively close by are:
CSONS Green Cafe in Ludlow - sit right by the river in Ludlow and eat wonderful locally sourced food. We suggest you book. The same family also run a good pizza place in Ludlow called SOURCED
Boyne Arms in Burwarton - country pub that we like for a pint as you can walk to it over the hill. They serve food too and its always worth checking their opening hours.
Willows Cafe in Ditton Priors - Small cafe in our nearest village of Ditton Priors. We like it as you can walk, cycle or run there and then eat lots of cake. Walking back full of cake is hard work but worth it. Check their opening times.
The Pheasant at Neenton - Great pub serving great food. It is a few miles away and worth getting in the car for. You may need to book if you plan to eat.
The Tally Ho at Bouldon - Another good country pub serving good food. It is 3 miles away and you can walk along the relatively quiet lanes to it. Unfortunately it is all uphill on the way back so you may need to have a designated driver or taxi ready...
There are loads more so please ask if you would like other recommendations!
Please feel free to contact us if you need to: blacksheepbarn.uk@gmail.com
Thanks, Alex and Chris