Discover Shropshire: Spend A Long Weekend At Oxon Hall Touring Park

If you’re planning your next getaway and fancy somewhere tranquil and relaxing but with plenty of things to see and do, the county of Shropshire is a perfect option. Located in Shrewsbury, an historic market town right in the heart of the county, Oxon Hall Touring Park is a fantastic base for exploring everything this hidden gem of a location has to offer. Not sure where to start with your planning? Read on to discover an itinerary for a three-night stay at Oxon Hall to get your inspiration flowing!

Day 1: From Georgian Mansions to Mediterranean Food

Discover the Regency Era

Spend your morning at Attingham Park, a beautiful National Trust property less than ten miles away from Oxon Hall. Explore the beautiful Georgian Mansion before taking a stroll around the expansive grounds. Start your walk in the picturesque walled garden and orchard, before venturing further into the woodland and deer park, home of the Attingham fallow deer.

If you’re feeling peckish, grab a hot drink and a slice of cake in the Carriage House Cafe or Mansion Tea-room and absorb the history and beauty of the estate.

Pitch Up at Oxon Hall

Head over to Oxon Hall, ready for check-in after 1pm. Pitch up and take a tour of the park and award-winning facilities to discover scenic paths, a spotless toilet block and an on-site dog field for any four-legged friends.

Food, Wonderful Food

After settling in, you won’t need to venture far to find some evening food. Enjoy a delicious meal at Ego at The Grapes, located a ten-minute walk from the park, which serves a menu of freshly cooked Mediterranean dishes. If you fancy staying in your caravan/motorhome, choose between a Chinese takeaway, fish and chips or Greggs – all less than a ten-minute walk from the park.

Day 2: Exploring Shrewsbury

Step Back in Time

Nestled in a loop of the River Severn, Shrewsbury is a quaint market town brimming with history and culture. Home to over 660 listed buildings, including traditional timber-framed buildings and cobbled streets, step back in time and explore this picture-postcard town. Shrewsbury has ample parking within the town, such as Frankwell car park, or you can hop on the park and ride bus service adjacent to Oxon Hall.

Start your morning with a stroll around The Quarry, a 29-acre sweeping parkland that offers an enchanting dose of nature within the town centre. Walk along the River Severn or relax on the grassy banks and watch the swans and ducks swim by.

Don’t forget to detour into The Dingle, a beautiful sunken garden tucked away in the park. Cultivated by Percy Thrower for 28 years, the garden features a stunning array of blooms, shrubbery and water features.

Take a River Cruise

Carry on through The Quarry towards Victoria Quay, and hop on the Sabrina Boat for a boat trip along the River Severn. This 45-minute cruise runs daily between March and October, with trips departing on the hour from 11am to 4pm. With commentary from the knowledgeable captains as you navigate the river, this is a great way to see Shrewsbury from a different angle.

Visit Britain’s Favourite Market

After your cruise, head back towards the town for a spot of lunch and shopping. Visit Shrewsbury Market Hall, voted Britain’s Favourite Market in 2024, and discover a variety of artisan stalls, local produce and mouth-watering street food inspired by all corners of the globe. Enjoy delicious options such as Thai street food from House of Yum, authentic hand-made Chinese dumplings at Moli Tea House, or grab a scrumptious slice of cake from The Market Cafe.

Shop ‘til you Drop

Refreshed and refuelled, it’s time to hit the shops! Shrewsbury is a treasure box of independent shops and boutiques, and you never know what delights you will stumble upon down the winding, cobbled streets. Don’t miss Wyle Cop, an historic street lined with 16th and 17th-century timber-framed buildings, and thought to be the longest row of uninterrupted independent businesses in the UK. If you’re looking for well-known shops and brand names, stroll through Pride Hill and visit the Darwin Shopping Centre.

With Oxon Hall Touring Park open all year, it is an ideal site for finding those perfect Christmas presents for your loved ones and making the most of your motorhome or caravan in all seasons.

Culture and Cuisine

To finish the day, grab a spot of food at the restaurants lining Victoria Quay, overlooking the river, before popping across the Welsh Bridge to the Theatre Severn. With performances from the worlds of comedy, drama, musicals, dance and more, discover something for all the family.

Day 3: Lace Up the Walking Boots

Shropshire is a beautiful county, home to majestic landscapes and untouched, rolling hills – all right on the doorstep of Oxon Hall. Before you head out on your countryside adventures, be sure to visit the Co-op convenience store adjacent to the park and stock up on all your essentials for a picnic in the hills.

Whether it’s sweet, savoury or both that tickles your tastebuds, create your ideal hamper of snacks to accompany the stunning Shropshire Hills views.

Visit ‘Little Switzerland’ and the Beauty of Nature

Don your walking boots and head to the charming town of Church Stretton, a half hour drive from the park. Nicknamed Little Switzerland in the Victorian era, this market town is the only town in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the Shropshire Hills.

Discover breathtaking views from the Long Mynd, a plateau of heathland brimming with fauna and wildlife, and Carding Mill Valley, owned by the National Trust. Enjoy a spot of wild swimming in the reservoir, or marvel at the four metre high Lightspout Waterfall.

From the Long Mynd, you can follow The Shropshire Way to the Stiperstones and the Clee Hills. Along the way discover ancient hill forts and woodlands, as well as iconic Shropshire landmarks such as the Devil’s Chair, a rocky outcrop that legend says was created by the Devil himself.

With beautiful natural landscapes, magnificent landmarks and enchanting views to be found, the Shropshire Hills is a fantastic place to experience the great outdoors and absorb the stunning scenery of the county.

Working up an Appetite

On your drive back to Oxon Hall, there are a couple of cosy, country pubs along the way that are the perfect pit-stop after your day of adventuring. The Pound, located in Leebotwood, offers a relaxing environment to enjoy a hearty meal that has been freshly prepared. Make sure to check out their Life of Pie menu to create your own pie dish. Choose from a variety of fillings for your handmade pie and pair it with potatoes, a side and gravy – all of your choice.

Alternatively, visit Dorrington’s Horseshoes in Dorrington. Originally a coaching inn, it is now a cosy pub that serves seasonal dishes made from fresh, locally sourced produce.

Day 4: Prisons and Pastries

On your final day, why not make the most of this wonderful town before heading home? Shrewsbury is home to many fascinating and fun attractions, with one of those attractions being Shrewsbury Prison.

Life Behind Bars

Located in the town centre, near the train station, this decommissioned prison offers visitors the chance to glimpse life behind bars, from the Victorian era to modern times, through Guided Tours led by Prison Officers. With the option to also take a self-guided tour, peer into prisoner cells, stroll around the exercise yard or view the executioner’s room.

Not only open for prison tours, Shrewsbury Prison also offers fun activities such as escape rooms, ghost tours, axe throwing and more.

The Taste of Freedom

After you’ve made your escape from the prison life, take a short walk up Castle Street towards the town centre to find a delicious lunch in an independent eatery. Discover cosy cafes like Bear Steps Cafe or Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, and mouth-watering dishes in restaurants such as House of the Rising Sun or Beefy Boys.

Don’t forget to grab any last-minute souvenirs from the local shops and take one last stroll around The Quarry before heading on your journey home.

Hopefully, this itinerary has inspired your next adventure to Shrewsbury! The award-winning Oxon Hall Touring Park offers a convenient location to explore this beautiful market town and the surrounding area, whilst also providing a tranquil location and picturesque setting.