Shropshire Hills Walking Weekend - Clun Mill
Discover the tranquil, rolling Shropshire Hills on this leisurely guided walking weekend taking in countryside views and Offa’s Dyke Path.
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 22
Level: Leisurely Plus
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
In a Nutshell:
Explore the Shropshire hills with a friendly group and a Large Outdoors host on this exquisite walking weekend away.
Relax in the hostel and take the time to relax and escape daily life, perhaps with a glass of your favourite wine or one of our endless hot drinks!
Admire the ancient site of Offa's Dyke, built over a thousand years ago and running the full length of the ancient border with Wales.
Watch for wildlife on the hills, make great new friends and let us worry about the navigation as you head out on some brilliant local walks.
How do we grade our walks?
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Clun Mill YHA is described as a rural retreat and it’s easy to see why as you pitch up at the impressive restored water mill and the extensive grounds that it stands in. If arriving after dark, please make sure your head torch is to hand as there’s no lighting in the car park.
Walk through the front door and with the log burner fired up, the comfy sofas beckoning and your host for the weekend greeting you, settling in will be a doddle.
While your evening meal is being prepared there is then plenty of time to get to know your fellow walkers or catch up with old friends if you’re a Large Outdoors regular.
Day 2
After breakfast our walk today will be a 10 mile circular walk, heading out to explore Offa's Dyke, which King Offa ordered to be constructed in the 8th century to protect his kingdom of Mercia from rival Welsh kingdoms.
As we follow this hilly route, the distinctive whaleback ridge of the ancient earthwork stands out from the surrounding rolling hills and forests while the horizon is punctuated with castles.
Once we return to the hostel it’s time to enjoy a well deserved cuppa and a chance to wind down. Then while your dinner is being prepared, there will be time for an early-doors pint at the local pub in Clun.
Day 3
After breakfast we will pack up our belongings and check out of the hostel. Then it’s time to head out for a 5-6 mile walk, visiting Bury Ditches, with more views of the undulating Shropshire countryside. Perhaps you’d like to stop for a spot of Sunday lunch or cuppa somewhere with your fellow participants before heading home? We hope you’ll leave having great memories of this beautiful area and some new Large Outdoors friends.
Please note: on some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Good to Know
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Meeting Time: from 5pm
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.Meeting Location:
YHA Clun Mill
The Mill
Clun
Craven Arms
Shropshire
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Parking: There is parking available at the hostel. If arriving after dark, please make sure your head torch is to hand as there’s no lighting in the car park.
Public Transport: YHA Clun Mill is located 6.6 miles from Hopton Heath Train Station, with services to/from Swansea and Shrewsbury.
Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
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You’ll stay at the handsome YHA’s Clun Mill for this weekend break. A beautifully restored water mill in the Shropshire village of Clun, this accommodation retains much of its industrial charm, with exposed beams, stripped timber floors, and old machinery still in place!
Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
Accommodation Address:
YHA Clun Mill
The Mill
Clun
Craven Arms
Shropshire
SY7 8NYRoom Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male RoomAt this accommodation there are Shared Rooms where you’ll be sharing a room - with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).
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Included:
2 nights’ accommodation at YHA Clun Mill.
A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.
Guided walks on 2 days (Day 2 and Day 3).
Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.
A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.
Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
Travel to and from the meeting location.
Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
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Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.
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• What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as Leisurely Plus. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.• Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.• I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide meals with dairy* free ingredients - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.• What transport is provided during this trip?
We do not provide any transport for this experience.• Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.