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The Joys of the Shires

Daily Itineraries
Participant flexibility will be much appreciated, dependent on weather, restaurants closing, and other such factors!
(All activities are optional)

Ironbridge & Blists Hill Victorian Village

Arrival  -  Sunday, May 14th

Hotel Check-In - After 1:00 pm

Early Welcome Dinner at 5:00 pm - Henry Tudor House - easy 5 minute walk from our hotel. Closes 7:00 pm on Sundays.

Perhaps an early night for those newly arrived, there are many local pubs for those not so tired.

 

Day 1 - Monday, May 15th

9:00 am -  Breakfast

10:00 am - 12:00 pm  - A leisurely walk around the River Severn and Quarry Park

Optional Scenic Walk through Doctors Fields - where Charles Darwin played as a child (his birthplace is Shrewsbury).

12:00  - 1:00 pm - Lunch locally

1:00 - 4:00 pm - A wander through the lovely, historic Shrewsbury Town centre. 

Free time until dinner

7:00 pm - Dinner at  La Lanterna

 

Day 2 - Tuesday, May 16th 

9:00 am - Breakfast

Leave at 10:00 am -  Ironbridge Gorge Museums

12:00 pm - Lunch at  The Golden Ball

Afternoon -  Blists Hill Victorian Village 

Back to Shrewsbury

7:00 pm - Dinner at  The Golden Cross Hotel

Day 3 - Wednesday, May 17th 

9:00 am - Breakfast

Free Morning 

Join us midday as we explore the many Charity Shops (vintage and secondhand) in Shrewsbury

7:00 pm - Dinner at Cafe Saffron

 

Day 4 - Thursday, May 18th

8:30 am - Breakfast

9:30am  - Departure

Day trip to Hay-on -Wye (Wales) An hour and a half scenic drive each way.

A unique and charming town, famous for having  more book shops than any other place in the world.

Thursday is their Market Day we will be able to browse and then eat lunch at one of the many great food stands

We plan to be back late afternoon.

7:00 pm - Dinner at The Armoury

 

Day 5 - Friday, May 19th

9:00 am - Breakfast

A Day of Options

A Train Trip to Birmingham by train. A short direct journey of just over an hour. The train station is central to galleries, restaurants and great shopping (for every budget). 

or

A Day Trip to the Welsh Sea-side (Aberdovey). A gorgeous little village with a long sandy beach for walking. Great seafront fish and chip shop, ice cream parlour, and local pubs. A lovely 1hr and 45 minute direct scenic train trip through Wales.

or

A Day To Do Absolutely Nothing At All.

7:00 pm - Dinner at the Old Post Office Pub

 

Day 6  - Saturday, May 20th

9:00 am - Breakfast

10:00 am - Optional hike to Haughmond Hill. A lovely leisurely walk along the river and up a (not too steep hill) with gorgeous views of Shropshire all around. Those who don't want to tackle the hill itself can wait in a lovely pub close by!

7:00 pm - Dinner at  The Walrus - this is a Michelin rated restaurant, so a tad expensive,  and we will need to make reservations well ahead of time. Others may choose to have a pub meal elsewhere. 

Stiperstones

Day 7 - Sunday, May 21st

9:00 am - Breakfast

A morning to relax

12:00 pm - Leave for a pub lunch at the  Stiperstones Inn

Afternoon - Stiperstones visit, drive back over the Long Mynd, and a visit to Mitchell’s Fold stone circle

Back to Shrewsbury

7:00 pm - Dinner at River Thai

Day 8 - Monday, May 22nd

9:00 am - Breakfast

Day trip to Chester -1 hour lovely non-stop train trip there and back.

Back to Shrewsbury late afternoon

7:00 pm - Dinner at  "To Be Decided Later" - we are waiting to hear on some new places opening! 

Ludlow

Day 9 -  Tuesday, May 23rd

9:00 am - Breakfast

10:00 am - Full day excursion:

Stokesay Castle 

Lunch at The Unicorn, Ludlow

Shop at the 900-year old outdoor Ludlow Market  /optional visit to  Ludlow Castle  and St Laurence's Church

4:00 pm -  Afternoon tea!

Venus Pools nature reserve 

Back to Shrewsbury

7:00 pm - Dinner at  Casa Naranjo

 

Day 10 - Wednesday, May 24th

9:00 am -  Breakfast

Last minute Shopping.

 Mailings, if required

Lunch and Browsing in Shrewsbury's Market Hall

Free time until evening river raft trip and dinner at Mel and Vic’s

 

Departure - Thursday, May 25th 

 Check Out 11:00 am

Price:

$3,450 per person

$3,600 per person by CC

 

Included in price:

11 nights private hotel room

11 breakfasts, 1 dinner, 1 picnic 

Transportation & entrance fees to all inclusive excursions

NOT included in price:

Transportation to and from The Abbots Mead at arrival/departure 

Lunches

Dinners

Our hotel is centrally located and all local restaurants are within reasonable walking distance. There are some hills. If you wish to take an Uber/taxi, you will assume this cost yourself.

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