When I posted an article on Facebook about ‘Secret Egypt’ at the Shrewsbury Museum I thought – what a good idea for half term! Peter, my youngest, was doing Egypt at School and would love it – and the rest of us had never visited Shropshire beyond driving through! So I booked a couple of nights with Frankie at All Stretton Bunkhouse and we were set!
When I posted an article on Facebook about ‘Secret Egypt’ at the Shrewsbury Museum I thought – what a good idea for half term! Peter, my youngest, was doing Egypt at School and would love it – and the rest of us had never visited Shropshire beyond driving though! So I looked on the map of Shropshire bunkhouses on the Independent Hostel Guide and booked a couple of nights with Frankie at ALL STRETTON BUNKHOUSE and we were set!
Day one we drove to Shrewsbury in Shropshire for the start of our adventure.
Straight to the exhibition and got up close and personal with some Mummies! The Egypt section was great but we also thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the Museum – my older kids even joined in trying on the ‘speaking’ costume hats.
The museum was followed by a trip to Bellini’s – a café that did wonderful ice cream milk shakes, can thoroughly recommend them. Then we were off to the bunkhouse. We found the bunkhouse easily and were instantly blown away with the beautiful location. The bunkhouse has good parking and we were welcomed by the owner – Frankie – who gave us some tips for what to do! The bunkhouse has 3 rooms and we had sole use for our time – but it is big enough for sharing. The beds were comfy and linen was provided – so we trotted off for a quick walk before tea – then got back to settle down for Pizza followed by a long session of card playing – (cards are provided). Frankie thinks of everything – so there is tea and coffee if you’ve forgotten yours – and also tea towels and plenty of crockery and pots and pans etc – there’s even a supply of ear plugs!
Day 2 Carding Mill Valley in Shropshire
The Next morning we did a walk from the Bunkhouse to Carding Mill valley – about 30-40 mins – a really stunning walk – I had no idea Shropshire was so beautiful. At Carding Mill there is a tea room and a little ‘Adventure’ trail for the kids to follow. You walk up the valley stopping at the various activities for the kids – a jump over the stream to a rope to pull yourself up a steep hill – a wooden fort and a bird watching hut – and at the top is a reservoir.
On Leaving Carding Mill Valley – we were delighted to see some of the wild ponies that live there (we had no idea). We headed for Church Stretton – approx 30 mins – as I felt the need for chips! We stopped at the local fish and chip shop – before carrying on back to the Bunkhouse. Another night of food and card playing – and a little ‘Midnight’ – well not really that late, but very dark, night walk to see if we could see some night nature before bed – we found lots of sheep!
Day 3 we went in search of an Iron Bridge – and we found one – in Ironbridge – as we knew nothing about it before we went it was fascinating to read the history then take a walk across the bridge. As it was a bit of a wet day we did a bit of a drive around the area before heading back to Derbyshire – a thoroughly lovely few days!
