Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Latest Reviews
What a nice surprise! Being mid-week in December we had the museum to ourselves and were able to take our time. It was only opened in 2001 and presents a good overview of the history of the Shropshire Hills. There's just enough detail to provide a solid insight into the area. The film, simulating a 15 minute balloon ride over the hills, was great and at times you felt you were up there. The museum entry was £3.50 and proved good value.
Within the building there is also a cafe, shop and general sitting and meeting area. The cafe was superb! The cakes and scones all looked home made and were good value. We would have no hesitation in dropping in again to sample their delights. Outside there is plenty of space to wander around the water meadows.
Within the building there is also a cafe, shop and general sitting and meeting area. The cafe was superb! The cakes and scones all looked home made and were good value. We would have no hesitation in dropping in again to sample their delights. Outside there is plenty of space to wander around the water meadows.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Finished a long walk here and made use of the excellent cafe. Pleasant staff, good range of cakes etc, including the best shortbread I've for ages! Interesting things to look at and there was plenty going on for children.
A good place to base a walk or to break a journey along the A49.
A good place to base a walk or to break a journey along the A49.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An interesting history of the area, not too much heavy-going reading matter, and a simulated balloon ride, which was quite a strange sensation. There were easy walks in the grounds, and the items in the shop were very reasonably priced, unlike some.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went here today with our 6 yr old for the bear hunt activity. The staff were really helpful as although they were fully booked they allowed him to join in (after I explained the problems I had with their phone and internet being out of action). He loved the activity and got to make mud pies too. This was great value at £3 too. We didn't do the exhibition as the ballon ride we wanted to see wasn't working. We will be back to do the geocaching on a nicer day and hopefully the technology will be back up and running then.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We stopped off here with 5 families, I had emailed to ask about the facility and the woman at the counter knew instantly when we walked in, that it was me. She was very friendly explaining they have a FREE craft room, and fantastic outdoors, bit like a back garden of a pub, but obviously cleaner and countryside views. The cafe was great and reasonable, we then did the FREE orienteering around the fields at the back, although we got a bit confused and never worked out the clues, the kids loved the adventure, they found a dead mole ( they loved this??) and they enjoyed crossing the little bridges along the way. Fab facility and I recommend to all. This has the feeling of a children s centre ( for those that have been to these)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
are really nice place to take kids really good if the weather is nice, a variety of different walks to go on and places for the kids to play so they don't get bored, we took a picnic but there is a cafe inside and a small museum of sorts, will go again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Discovery Centre is easy to get to by car, just off the A49 on the South side of Craven Arms, with a free car park. It is housed in an interesting modern building with a grass roof. We paid to visit the Exhibition, which turned out to be disappointing. Very much geared towards children, and probably good for those in primary school, with some hands-on exhibits. But it was quite superficial - we had expected to learn something about how the Shropshire hills were formed, what type of rock they are made of, what commercial activities take place here nowadays etc, but there was very little about any of this. (Incidentally the Bog visitor centre in the Stiperstones hills was much better in this regard). There is a large cinema-style screen in the exhibition which showed artistic views from a hot-air balloon, but with very little commentary to explain what we were actually being shown. The audio for this was too loud and distracting when trying to look at the rest of the exhibition. We walked through the adjacent Onny Meadows in the rain, which was moderately interesting and I'm sure would have been better in decent weather. The cafe was good for tea and cake, and the small shopping area near reception was pleasant and reasonably well stocked.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I do not care for long drives on the M6 so when I travel south I use the A49 which passes through Craven Arms in which I found, several years ago, the Discovery Centre (or, to be precise, the cafe in the Discovery Centre). The centre is located conveniently just off the main road.
On my most recent visit a Turkey Lunch was available so I opted for that. In no time a well-filled plate was brought to me containing sliced turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes and sausage wrapped in bacon. This looked quite substantial but the assistant returned a moment or two later with a tureen conaining boiled potoato, cabbage, cauliflower and carrots. I had just started my meal having taken a paper napkin from the counter but the manageress quickly dropped a clean white serviette in front of me remarking that this would be better than the paper one. I felt I was being well looked after and I thoroughly enjoyed what was a very substantial course and more than adequate to keep me going for the remiander of the journey.
I have never been disappointed at the Cafe and I really must find time to look at the operative part of the Centre on my next visit. The shop is always interesting and well worth spending a little time in and there are supplies of leaflets regarding other attractions in the area. All the staff are helpful and the A roads are better blessed with eating establishments than the motorways, in my view.
On my most recent visit a Turkey Lunch was available so I opted for that. In no time a well-filled plate was brought to me containing sliced turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes and sausage wrapped in bacon. This looked quite substantial but the assistant returned a moment or two later with a tureen conaining boiled potoato, cabbage, cauliflower and carrots. I had just started my meal having taken a paper napkin from the counter but the manageress quickly dropped a clean white serviette in front of me remarking that this would be better than the paper one. I felt I was being well looked after and I thoroughly enjoyed what was a very substantial course and more than adequate to keep me going for the remiander of the journey.
I have never been disappointed at the Cafe and I really must find time to look at the operative part of the Centre on my next visit. The shop is always interesting and well worth spending a little time in and there are supplies of leaflets regarding other attractions in the area. All the staff are helpful and the A roads are better blessed with eating establishments than the motorways, in my view.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We stopped by here recently with our 2.5 year old boy and took the short trail. It was great for our son who ran around and explored the various sights along the way. Staff were friendly enough and gave us a leaflet with the various walks/routes.
We did notice that some of the waste bins were overfull on route and some areas overgrown, so we though maybe they're a bit understaffed at the moment (what with all the funding cutbacks etc). It did give us that impression to a degree, but all things aside, it was a pleasant short visit and we all had fun! If you have a "little one" and need to kill an hour before lunch then i'd recommend a visit. The Ludlow Food Centre is a short drive up the road for a nice lunch on the way home too...
We did notice that some of the waste bins were overfull on route and some areas overgrown, so we though maybe they're a bit understaffed at the moment (what with all the funding cutbacks etc). It did give us that impression to a degree, but all things aside, it was a pleasant short visit and we all had fun! If you have a "little one" and need to kill an hour before lunch then i'd recommend a visit. The Ludlow Food Centre is a short drive up the road for a nice lunch on the way home too...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Been on a visit before but still found it interesting,the short film is very interesting,nice gift shop too.the meadows around the centre are lovely for a stroll,the dogs loved it,well worth a look.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Quite a short but interesting visit on a wet day - better in fine weather as you can explore the meadows and walks outside. Cafe does really nice food There is a small farmers market on the first Saturday of every month.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It has a huge skeleton of a Mammoth which is mid-blowing, the remains of which were discovered locally. The exhibition is very interesting. There is a film (like being in a hot air balloon) over the Shropshire Hills and and it looks at the history of this stunningly beautiful area of South Shropshire.
I like the shop for their quirky gifts and the cafe is excellent. Great locally sourced food.
Then there's 30 acres outside for walks, pond dipping, geo-caching and walking round the sculpture trail and there is the biggest dragonfly in the whole world!
Stunning scenery too
I like the shop for their quirky gifts and the cafe is excellent. Great locally sourced food.
Then there's 30 acres outside for walks, pond dipping, geo-caching and walking round the sculpture trail and there is the biggest dragonfly in the whole world!
Stunning scenery too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
the exhibition is quite short, staff very helpful, meadows lovely, best of all the homemade food, lovely roast, amazing quiche, staff very good, although clearly very pushed, would reccomend
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went here with my baby daughter for a day out and it was surprisingly interesting. The cafe was lovely here and the staff are so friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We needed somewhere to go when the weather was bad. Although there is a large outdoor area there was enough to see inside with an interesting display about the Ice age ect and a giant mammouth which would amaze most kids! Helpful and friendly staff.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Plenty of parking just off the A49 and to the south of Craven Arms, it is a strange mixture of a Visitor Information Centre, a library, an art display area, a cafeteria, a walking centre and an attraction that tries to enthuse & inform on the local Area of Outstanding Beauty.
Unfortunately it does none of these very well, with the result that once visited you probably won't want to return. Council owned and financed it seems to have lost its way in its desire to become a general attraction.
Unfortunately it does none of these very well, with the result that once visited you probably won't want to return. Council owned and financed it seems to have lost its way in its desire to become a general attraction.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Some of THE best walking in England. Long Mynd is the obvious place but all around the area has hidden gems to discover so get your walking boots on and visit the Secret Hills!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a great place to go whoever you are. We were particularly impressed by the exhibition, a fine example of making the most of a small space. Loved the virtual hot air balloon ride.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great day out for the whole family, well worth a visit in the holidays. My daughters loved it, making education fun! And it's not often you can say that about History and Geography.... The staff are very friendly and helpful and the cafe choices are good too.
Source: thebestof.co.uk
Ever so slightly cheesy "experience", but provided a very good overview of the geology & history of the shropshire hills. Is geared more towards children than two middle aged grumppies & their mums. Good for maps etc.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
