Local Attractions
Clifton House is situated in such a great location for exploring the surrounding area and attractions that it is difficult to mention them all. Here are some of our favourite places to visit:
Whitchurch is an old, well-established market town and has been a busy town since the Romans arrived and named it 'Mediolanum', meaning the place in the middle of the plain. It wasn't until after several name changes to 'Westune' under the Saxons and then 'Album Monasterium' under the Normans that Whitchurch was finally settled on.
Whitchurch offers a great selection of retail shops from big chains to small friendly boutiques and on Fridays there is a large indoor market. There is also a popular farmers market on the first Saturday of each month. If you are planning a trip to Whitchurch during your stay a visit to 'Whitchurch Heritage Centre' is always worthwhile. Here you will find information and artefacts regarding the history and culture of Whitchurch, and there is also a number of activities for children to do.
From the Heritage Centre you can take part in the 'Whitchurch Clock Trail', which takes you around the town visiting examples of the work of 'JB Joyce' who have been making quality timepieces since 1690. Whitchurch is very proud of its title as the 'Home of Tower Clocks'.
On the outskirts of Whitchurch there is the Brown Moss, a beautiful and tranquil site boasting over 30 rare plants and numerous amounts of woodland birds and wildlife.
During your stay at Clifton House, you can visit the Shropshire Union Canal that travels through Tyrley Locks and Market Drayton or the Llangollen Canal that has lift bridges and staircases on route to Whitchurch and Wem. At Grindley Brook, just the other side of Whitchurch on the way to Chester, you can enjoy quality food in a picturesque surrounding next to the Grindley Brook Staircase Locks, at the Lockside Store and Café.
If you enjoy fishing why not take a trip to Dearnford Trout Fishery, just 3 miles away. Here you can fish from the banks of the pool or in a boat. Dearnford Trout Fishery offers professional fly-casting and fly-dressing tuition and demonstrations, they also hire out all fishing tackle if you have left yours at home. More information is available at www.dearnford.com.
If you decide to take a trip to Shrewsbury, just 16 miles from Clifton House you will not be disappointed. Offering a wide choice of shops and a great number of places to eat, Shrewsbury has a number of places to visit including Shrewsbury Castle that houses the collections of the Shropshire Regimental Museum Trust from the 18th century to the present day.
There is also the Battlefield Heritage Site where the Battle of Shrewsbury took place in 1403 between King Henry IV and Henry Tudor. Here you can visit the medieval site and enjoy a number of walks that take you past fish pools and the Battlefield Church (Saint Mary Magdalene). There are information boards along the walks containing information about the Battle of Shrewsbury.
For fun days out for all the family, there are several attractions such as Park Hall Countryside Experience at Oswestry. Set on 130 acres, it has animals large and small, milking, pony grooming and cart rides among other activities. There is also a huge indoor play arena with bouncy castles. For more information visit the website at www.parkhallfarm.co.uk.
Chester Zoo also offers a fun and stimulating day out with over 500 different species of animals and award-winning gardens, and all within easy reach from Clifton House. More information about Chester Zoo can be found at www.chesterzoo.org.
Then of course there is the famous Ironbridge, now a World Heritage Site. Set within a beautiful valley, there are 10 museums offering a range of exhibits and demonstrations, and the original factory buildings that will lead you back to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. You can easily spend a whole day here, if not longer. For more information on this fascinating place visit www.ironbridge.org.uk.
For more information on Shropshire and its attractions visit www.shropshiretourism.co.uk.