Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Latest Reviews
The Discovery Centre is easily accessible off the A49 in Craven Arms. We had been led to believe it was aimed at children, but this is far from the case, although children will certainly enjoy its many attractions. The exhibition of the history of the area is fascinating. We can all learn something from it. The film of a balloon flight over the area narrated by Pete Postlethwaite gives a good birds eye view of the county, but probably needs refreshing.
There is a pleasant walk outside the centre to some old oxbow ponds, the river and a community orchard. Afterwards you can stay and enjoy a snack or a meal in the cafe. We visited on a Sunday and judging by the number of reserved tables, it is a popular spot for Sunday lunch.
An exhibition of local artists work and a display of calligraphy completed our tour. Altogether very enjoyable.
There is a pleasant walk outside the centre to some old oxbow ponds, the river and a community orchard. Afterwards you can stay and enjoy a snack or a meal in the cafe. We visited on a Sunday and judging by the number of reserved tables, it is a popular spot for Sunday lunch.
An exhibition of local artists work and a display of calligraphy completed our tour. Altogether very enjoyable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a good place to stop for a simple lunch, coffee etc. The prices are reasonable and everything ( restaurant, toilets) were clean and well maintained. On this occasion there was adequate parking, and the restaurant not too noisy .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The dinosaur on display was very impressive even if it was an exact replica of the original. The story of the find was very informative & interesting as was the history of the surrounding area. There were many woodland walks within the grounds but unfortunately walking is not our strong point so we probably missed out on some nice flora, fauna & scenery.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very useful centre to find out about the local area, with a small and interesting exhibition on the local area and history. Lovely café with excellent and very generous portions of ice cream, a well stocked shop with plenty of info on local walks. Very friendly and helpful staff
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic base for exploring Shropshire - lots of information, ideas and the free wifi is brilliant! Helpful and pleasant staff made this a great place for the family to visit and revisit during our week in Shropshire.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The small museum (for which there is a charge) is well laid out and informative. There are a number of activities for children, including dressing-up, which delighted our small grandson.
Outside there are a number of walks and a trail for children.
The cafe serves a variety of ice creams which are very good value!
Outside there are a number of walks and a trail for children.
The cafe serves a variety of ice creams which are very good value!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great deal of money has been spent here producing a perfect visitors centre , and it shows.
Lots and lots of free things fo a family to do - maybe three hours worth at a push- the one good thing about shropshire is it is not as overcrowdwd as many counties .
Lots of info on local attractions , I would have stoped longer but I planed to go other places .
Cafe superb if a bit dear, good informed staff at the centre
Lots and lots of free things fo a family to do - maybe three hours worth at a push- the one good thing about shropshire is it is not as overcrowdwd as many counties .
Lots of info on local attractions , I would have stoped longer but I planed to go other places .
Cafe superb if a bit dear, good informed staff at the centre
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very well laid out visitor centre with great walks of varying lengths around and lots of places to sit. Good cafe too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited with my family and it was OK for a couple of hours.
The museum was small but interesting however I was a bit annoyed to find out after I had paid to go in that it was actually free to go walking in the grounds which was all we really wanted to do. We were let to believe that you had to pay to do anything there.
The museum was small but interesting however I was a bit annoyed to find out after I had paid to go in that it was actually free to go walking in the grounds which was all we really wanted to do. We were let to believe that you had to pay to do anything there.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A variety of food, no chips!! Pleasant atmosphere. Shop. Gifts. Art. Outdoor events, children's events, always busy with exhibitions etc.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
attended the cycling event on sat 27th june with some disabled young people who thoroughly enjoyed themselves using the new cycleway. also had a lovely walk around the meadows and saw red kites ( birds of prey) flying around.
staff were friendly and helpful the food in the restaurant was enjoyable. lots of places to sit out and enjoy your own picnics too.
the book corner and papers were appreciated too.
staff were friendly and helpful the food in the restaurant was enjoyable. lots of places to sit out and enjoy your own picnics too.
the book corner and papers were appreciated too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Thank you to all the friendly staff at The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre and especially to everyone in the cafe who served our group of over 20 people with coffee and cake very efficiently when we visited on Friday - we are looking forward to visiting again in July.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
called in for a bite to eat friendly staff and lovely plough and excellent value Lovely walks very interesting
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We enjoyed our visit, our children and dog enjoyed exploring around the site and we had a lovely lunch from the cafe(which we ate outside on the picnic benches, as we had our dog with us)
Lots of interesting things inside too (but because we had our dog with us, we couldn't all go in together, but managed in pairs)
Lots of interesting things inside too (but because we had our dog with us, we couldn't all go in together, but managed in pairs)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
LOvely little cafe used as a training place for locals to get on a catering ladder with food all freshly prepared. Nice trip round Shropshire by air balloon - well a video simulation that is so realistic I felt slightly sick - and lots of good information about the area. They have started to feed red kites - but it's a bit sporadic at times as to whether the kites visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is halfway between my hometown and my parents, so we often stop in for refreshments. Its a really interesting stop with a shop full of interesting and unique items, a good coffee shops. Its always a really good break on what is otherwise a long and arduous trip
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We stopped off at the Discovery Centre yesterday but only for refreshment. We had been hunting for a quaint tea-shop really but, try as we may, we could not find one. After about an hour's hunting, we stumbled across the Discovery Centre and resigned ourselves to having to eat and drink in a 'boring, generic cafe'. How wrong we were!
The coffee shop was bright and scrupulously clean. The young staff were extremely friendly and polite and the variety of the menu was good. I had a pot of tea, fruit crumble and clotted cream and my partner had a cream tea. The crumble was one of the best I have ever tasted and, apparently, the cream tea was delicious too. The pots of tea were generous, affording two cups from each pot and all served in lovely white crockery.
It was just a shame we hadn't time to explore the Centre itself as, judging by the leaflet, it sounded very interesting, with something for everyone. Well done, Shropshire Hills.
The coffee shop was bright and scrupulously clean. The young staff were extremely friendly and polite and the variety of the menu was good. I had a pot of tea, fruit crumble and clotted cream and my partner had a cream tea. The crumble was one of the best I have ever tasted and, apparently, the cream tea was delicious too. The pots of tea were generous, affording two cups from each pot and all served in lovely white crockery.
It was just a shame we hadn't time to explore the Centre itself as, judging by the leaflet, it sounded very interesting, with something for everyone. Well done, Shropshire Hills.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited this centre on a warm April day x as soon as we entered the centre we were met by a lovely lady who filled us in on all activities available that day x we visited the discovery centre , kids loved it and then we walked the area following the nature trial . By 6 year old daughter took the lead finding all the clues x our dog asha had a great time aswell ,, very dog friendly place . We picnic on the grass area and our boys took a football. And had a knock around x we then ended the trail and the kids skinny dipped in the river x we had a lovely day and the place is well worth a visit . I even purchased 2 terramundi money pots at a discount price xxxx
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
There is a nice shop and cafe here. There is a charge for entering the exhibition, but well worth it especially if you have children with you. One thing which will appeal to all ages and which I particularly liked was the simulated hot air balloon ride over the locality. There are various walks outside the Centre which are of differing lengths and difficulty - leaflets can be bought for 50p each to guide you along these walks. We did the Riverside Ramble which was a lovely walk along the river and back along the lanes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The staff were very helpful, giving advice on walks in the area. The toilets were clean. There was also free wifi in the building.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth the entrance fee to visit the exhibition. The virtual balloon flight was certainly a different way to see the views over the Shropshire Hills having walked over most of them it was interesting to see them from above.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We often visit this lovely area of Shropshire in the District of Craven Arms there are several gentle walks radiating from the Discovery Centre into the hill country beyond. At the centre there is ample parking and after a circular ramble what better place to return to around mid- day to sample their local homemade meals there is a choice from four hot meals with a variety of side vegetables but beware they are in limited supply so it's first come first served however there are other options to choose from be it sandwiches cakes and drinks of course. In addition to the cafe there is a shop selling local books and various wild bird feeding items plus locally made jewelery and paintings or often on display for sale. For children there is a small display exhibition area in the centre for which there is a small fee
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Centre exceptionally clean though maybe a little too pristine as it would have many walkers using its facilities. Bags were available to put over your boots but it seemed a little excessive. Some good literature to buy about the local area but no free leaflets or leaflets of any description as far as we could see detailing information about the posted walks as regards length and route.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The exhibition has been there for quite a while and can be done as quickly as in 5 minutes or up to probably 30 but no more. It is £3.50 per adult and £3 per child so in my opinion doesn't really represent very good value for money. But it is only my opinion! During half term they were holding paper making workshops for £3.50 and the session was 1 1/2 hours. This was good value and the children enjoyed this immensely. You could also access the craft area for free and there are large grounds to walk around, also for free. However there is a great amount of maintenance required to the site, including the garden area and the Onny meadow, which is currently over run by moles! Not that I have anything against moles, but come summer they are going to be a real hazard for people using the fields. Was ok to fill time but wouldn't look to go back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Good for exploring local wildlife, geology, topography etc of area. Gives you a better perspective of the area - useful if you are walking the hills and local villages.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
