Horses Welcome Acreditation Scheme

The Riding in Shropshire website will shortly be updated to reflect the new Horses Welcome accreditation undertaken by the British Horse Society. This scheme also provides you with affordable insurance as part of the accreditation.

Shropshire has a countywide policy of only promoting inspected properties on its 'official' tourism marketing and local authority websites. These are accommodation providers that are inspected by a recognised national inspection body such as Visit Britain or the AA which ensures that as a county we offer our visitors a high standard of quality accommodation.

The Horses Welcome scheme ensures that visitors to the Riding in Shropshire website will be able to select accommodation that not only meets their needs, but also those of their horses. Principally the requirements are good quality overnight stabling.

If you are an accommodation provider that holds a current inspection for your property and you would like to feature on the Riding in Shropshire website in the future, you will also need to also hold a Horses Welcome accreditation.

You can download a Horses Welcome scheme (Operated by the British Horses Society) application form by clicking the link below. The form contains information about the scheme including the cost.

Download Horses Welcome Application Form

Please download and save the form on your computer, complete it electronically and attach it to an email to Tony Felgate at the British Horse Society. T.Felgate@bhs.org.uk

Consultation on the Draft Countryside Access Strategy for Shropshire is underway

Plans to make Shropshire's countryside more open and accessible to residents and visitors are included within the new draft Countryside Access Strategy for Shropshire.

Shropshire County Council's draft access strategy has been produced following on from widespread consultation with local residents, visitors and others. The strategy looks at the existing countryside access network in the County, and outlines improvements to modernise the network and to make the countryside a more welcoming and accessible place for everyone.

The public are being invited to comment on the strategy, during a three-month consultation period. The final 10-year strategy is due to be published by the end of this year.

Deb Hughes, Countryside Access Manager with Shropshire County Council, said: "In Shropshire there are more than 5,500km of public rights of way, and people can also visit 10,000 hectares of 'open access' land, 16 countryside heritage sites managed by the County Council and 34 nature reserves managed by Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Many other landowners also allow public access to their land.

The implementation of this plan will aim to make these and many other areas more accessible and to provide people with the best possible opportunity to enjoy Shropshire's distinctive and renowned landscape."

Barbara Craig, Cabinet member for community services, said: "Shropshire County Council takes the lead in providing the best countryside access for everyone and this is achieved through promotion, positive action and partnership with local communities, access organisations and providers. I welcome these plans which aim to ensure that the County's countryside can be accessed and enjoyed by both residents and visitors for years to come.

I would urge everyone who cares about access in the countryside to let us know what they think. People’s views really can make a difference."

Please take the time to respond by 31st October 2007.

Copies of the full draft strategy and short summary document are available by contacting our Customer Service Centre on 01743 255061 or by visiting our website. www.shropshire.gov.uk

Please return your comments to: Countryside Access Team, Shropshire County Council, FREEPOST SY522, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6BR

Email: countrysideaccess@shropshire-cc.gov.uk
Web: http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/countryside.nsf/open/6E65B287A13B268380256F270033EE37

Launch of the Ride Shropshire guide 25th May 2007 at the Bog Visitor Centre

Several people had already arrived when we got there with various horse boxes and trailers parked at the starting point for The Stiperstones Ride – Mines, moors and Wild Edric. This is just one of the 10 rides in the new Ride Shropshire series and has great views (good for photos). The horse riders and carriage drivers that attended were from the Longmynd and District Bridleways Association (LMDBA) who used their local knowledge to devise the routes for us. All the gates, signposts and waymarks were put in by our in-house maintenance team who are based a Nils Quarry in Pontesbury.
The guides are the culmination of a project started 4 years ago as an extension to the improvements being carried out on the Jack Mytton Way. The project has been mainly funded by Shropshire County Council with some additional money from Advantage West Midlands through the Rural Recovery Fund after the Foot and Mouth crisis.

The success of the project has been due to community and partnership working as many volunteer hours have been put in by the Long Mynd & District Bridleway groups along with National Trust volunteers. In addition the National Trust have provided several miles of permissive access to improve the routes.

The Bog Visitor Centre ladies had been busy making tea and cakes so as soon as everyone had assembled the ceremony began. Helen Foster from (LMDBA) on Beejay opened with a thank you speech, followed by Henry Whittaker for the British Horse Society. Councillor Barbara Craig did the honours by cutting the ribbon and the ride was declared open.

It was great to see so many people and horses there and everyone enjoyed the day, a successful end to a very successful project. The guides are available to download from this website (see below), or pick on up from local Visitor Information Centres and libraries our contact our Customer Services Centre on 0845 6789000.

Ride Shropshire Map
Route 1 - Wenlock Edge
Route 2 - Rushbury
Route 3 - Acton Scott
Route 4 - Minton Ride
Route 5 - Wentnor
Route 6 - Stiperstones
Route 7 - Habberley
Route 8 - Ratlinghope
Route 9 - Bethcott
Route 10 - Acton Burnell

The Wenlock Edge Ride - Cavaliers, Fossils and Folk law - Route 1

Ride along the limestone escarpment of Wenlock Edge rich in folklore and legend. Travel through ancient villages where Romans walked and Parliamentarians fought Royalists.

Route 1 - Wenlock Edge

The Rushbury Ride - Ridges, Vistas and Nature - Route 2

Long ridges, wonderful views and nature in abundance - this ride has them all. Discover medieval houses, ancient churches, wonderful woodlands and the quietest of country lanes.

Route 2 - Rushbury

The Acton Scott Ride - Old Ways, Wild Views and Rebellion - Route 3

Here you will ride where people have lived and worked for at least 3000 years. See a historic working farm, a Bronze Age hill fort and medieval fields and villages. Even the name of the place is ancient, Acton from the Saxon for oaks – “ac” and settlement – “tun”

Route 3 - Acton Scott

The Minton Hill Ride - Books, Falcons and Bombs - Route 4

The Long Mynd has its ancient tracks and Bronze Age works but the most fascinating history is far more recent. This ride envelopes you in tales of the Second World War, spies and secret bases the Home Guard and own goals!

Route 4 - Minton Ride

The Wentnor Ride - Ancient Ways, Hills and Hollows - Route 5

Cross the Long Mynd then stretch to the Stiperstones. Travel the same tracks as Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age man, the Romans, Saxons, Norman Invaders, medieval knights and Victorian doctors!

Route 5 - Wentnor

The Stiperstones Ride - Mines, Moors and Wild Edric - Route 6

Ride over wild haunted moors and down steep valleys that were once the realm of Wild Edric. Pass Bronze and Iron Age cairns and forts, medieval houses and the stark skeletons of old mine workings.

Route 6 - Stiperstones

The Habberley Valley Ride - Quiet Lanes and Ancient Places - Route 7

Follow some of the quietest lanes in Shropshire, to see medieval villages, the remains of Norman and Bronze Age forts along with wonderful views.

Route 7 - Habberley

The Church Pulverbatch to Ratlinghope Ride - Castles, Ways and Churches - Route 8

Prehistoric remains, medieval churches, one of the oldest roads in England and wonderful views of the Stiperstones and Long Mynd make this a great ride.

Route 8 - Ratlinghope

The Betchcott Hills Ride - Ancient roads, castles and spies - Route 9

Travel a track used for the last 6000 years, see the remains of Norman castles, the handiwork of a World War 2 German spy and some of the best scenery in the country on this ride.

Route 9 - Bethcott

The Acton Burnell Ride - High Views, Parks and Parliaments

The views of the Lawley and its Bronze Age settlements are wonderful from this ride. You cross a Roman road, see the ruins of a 13th century manor house and ride past an Elizabethan lodge.

Route 10 - Acton Burnell

Blue Remembered Hills Bridleway

In summer 2007 the Blue Remembered Hills project will launch a 35 mile circular bridleway through the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This route uses existing bridleways, quiet lanes and forestry and also links with the Jack Mytton Way. More information about this route will be available soon from this site or contact the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership in Craven Arms.

www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk