This small hostel, once the old village school, is tucked away in the Shropshire hills with the Long Mynd to the east and Stiperstones to the west. It is an ideal spot for ramblers with the Shropshire Way passing close by and a great network of uncrowded paths to explore. Ideally situated for the End to End cycle route and plenty of mountain biking opportunities. The nearby small towns of Church Stretton, Ludlow, Much Wenlock, Bishops Castle and sleepy Montgomery are all worth a visit. There's also the Acton Scott working farm museum and Snailbeach former lead mines close by.
During Covid the hostel is providing private rooms for 2, 4 or 6 people with assigned showers. Each room has its own table in the hostel common area so you can play some board games and enjoy your meals together. The hostel is providing proper breakfasts and home cooked evening meals, so you won’t miss the self catering kitchen, which is closed due to Covid regulations. Prices are shown below.
In normal times the hostel has a good kitchen, lounge with wood fire, books and games, a drying room, a food shop and a large garden. There are two en-suite rooms of 4 and one 6 bed room, with discounts for families. One of these has some facilities for the disabled which the hostel will tell you more about if you phone.
Home cooked three course evening meals are available, using fruit and vegetables from the hostel garden all year round. These are not standard YHA meals, they are grown and cooked with pride by the hostel staff. Camping is available and there is a pub nearby.
All year except Xmas. Reception open 8-10 am & 5-10 pm. Hostel closes at 11pm.
Price per night:
From £20 per person in private rooms for 6,4 or 2.
Booking:
Telephone to book. No credit or debit cards accepted. Cheques must be made payable to Bridges Youth Hostel not YHA.
Directions:
From Church Stretton, take The Burway road uphill. Take right fork at top of Long Mynd (this route is not advisable in bad winter weather). From Shrewsbury take road via Longden and Pulverbatch, then left by Bridges Pub.
Public Transport :
Trains at Church Stretton (5 miles) with a shuttle bus to Bridges at weekends from April to September.
Access: there is ramped access into the main entrance, the door has a slight sill and can allow a wheelchair to comfortably manoeuvre through.
Bedroom: There is a ground floor accessible bedroom with ramped access and accommodations to make the room more user friendly
Toilet: This is ensuite to the previously mentioned room and has low shower controls and grab bars for the toilet and shower ..Click for photos and more
With a network of uncrowded footpaths to enjoy, Bridges Youth Hostel gives you a relaxing opportunity to get to know Shewsbury’s nature while taking a few nights rest from your adventure!
News
Bridges hostel has an accessible room
March 14th 2018
Access: there is ramped access into the main entrance, the door has a slight sill and can allow a wheelchair to comfortably manoeuvre through.
Bedroom: There is a ground floor accessible bedroom with ramped access and accommodations to make the room more user friendly
Toilet: This is ensuite to the previously mentioned room and has low shower controls and grab bars for the toilet and shower
Bridges Youth Hostel lies between two of Shropshire’s iconic hills: The Long Mynd and Stiperstones.
“Into my heart an air that kills
From yon far country blows
What are these blue remembered hills
What spires, what farms are those?”
A.E. Housemann wrote these words from A Shropshire Lad, and I too remember these blue remembered hills, although right now they’re purple. Ablaze with heather. Sometimes literally.
Childhood holidays based in Church Stretton were spent exploring the area. After a tough climb, The Long Mynd yields a satisfying long plateau, while to the west the rugged rocky ridges of The Stiperstones offer an altogether more vertiginous adventure. Down in the valley we dammed the stream of Carding Mill Valley with pebbles, probably to the annoyance of The National Trust!
I’m sorely tempted to book a room at Bridges, its an old-school hostel with dorm rooms and friendly communal areas, and spend a weekend re-exploring “Yon far country.”
A weekend of fell running and walking in Shropshire and one of discoveries: Bridges Youth Hostel in Ratlinghope was a great place to stay, cosy and warm, with power showers, hearty vegan/vegetarian breakfasts, lots of advice on the best routes and a lovely pub a stone’s throw away. Shropshire exceeded all expectations, with stunning views, deserted routes and the wonderful sound of silence. I will be back!