Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Latest Reviews
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
What a nice surprise! Being mid-week in December we had the museum to ourselves and were able to take our time. It was only opened in 2001 and presents a good overview of the history of the Shropshire Hills. There's just enough detail to provide a solid insight into the area. The film, simulating a 15 minute balloon ride over the hills, was great and at times you felt you were up there. The museum entry was £3.50 and proved good value.
Within the building there is also a cafe, shop and general sitting and meeting area. The cafe was superb! The cakes and scones all looked home made and were good value. We would have no hesitation in dropping in again to sample their delights. Outside there is plenty of space to wander around the water meadows.
Within the building there is also a cafe, shop and general sitting and meeting area. The cafe was superb! The cakes and scones all looked home made and were good value. We would have no hesitation in dropping in again to sample their delights. Outside there is plenty of space to wander around the water meadows.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Finished a long walk here and made use of the excellent cafe. Pleasant staff, good range of cakes etc, including the best shortbread I've for ages! Interesting things to look at and there was plenty going on for children.
A good place to base a walk or to break a journey along the A49.
A good place to base a walk or to break a journey along the A49.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An interesting history of the area, not too much heavy-going reading matter, and a simulated balloon ride, which was quite a strange sensation. There were easy walks in the grounds, and the items in the shop were very reasonably priced, unlike some.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went here today with our 6 yr old for the bear hunt activity. The staff were really helpful as although they were fully booked they allowed him to join in (after I explained the problems I had with their phone and internet being out of action). He loved the activity and got to make mud pies too. This was great value at £3 too. We didn't do the exhibition as the ballon ride we wanted to see wasn't working. We will be back to do the geocaching on a nicer day and hopefully the technology will be back up and running then.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We stopped off here with 5 families, I had emailed to ask about the facility and the woman at the counter knew instantly when we walked in, that it was me. She was very friendly explaining they have a FREE craft room, and fantastic outdoors, bit like a back garden of a pub, but obviously cleaner and countryside views. The cafe was great and reasonable, we then did the FREE orienteering around the fields at the back, although we got a bit confused and never worked out the clues, the kids loved the adventure, they found a dead mole ( they loved this??) and they enjoyed crossing the little bridges along the way. Fab facility and I recommend to all. This has the feeling of a children s centre ( for those that have been to these)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
are really nice place to take kids really good if the weather is nice, a variety of different walks to go on and places for the kids to play so they don't get bored, we took a picnic but there is a cafe inside and a small museum of sorts, will go again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Discovery Centre is easy to get to by car, just off the A49 on the South side of Craven Arms, with a free car park. It is housed in an interesting modern building with a grass roof. We paid to visit the Exhibition, which turned out to be disappointing. Very much geared towards children, and probably good for those in primary school, with some hands-on exhibits. But it was quite superficial - we had expected to learn something about how the Shropshire hills were formed, what type of rock they are made of, what commercial activities take place here nowadays etc, but there was very little about any of this. (Incidentally the Bog visitor centre in the Stiperstones hills was much better in this regard). There is a large cinema-style screen in the exhibition which showed artistic views from a hot-air balloon, but with very little commentary to explain what we were actually being shown. The audio for this was too loud and distracting when trying to look at the rest of the exhibition. We walked through the adjacent Onny Meadows in the rain, which was moderately interesting and I'm sure would have been better in decent weather. The cafe was good for tea and cake, and the small shopping area near reception was pleasant and reasonably well stocked.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I do not care for long drives on the M6 so when I travel south I use the A49 which passes through Craven Arms in which I found, several years ago, the Discovery Centre (or, to be precise, the cafe in the Discovery Centre). The centre is located conveniently just off the main road.
On my most recent visit a Turkey Lunch was available so I opted for that. In no time a well-filled plate was brought to me containing sliced turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes and sausage wrapped in bacon. This looked quite substantial but the assistant returned a moment or two later with a tureen conaining boiled potoato, cabbage, cauliflower and carrots. I had just started my meal having taken a paper napkin from the counter but the manageress quickly dropped a clean white serviette in front of me remarking that this would be better than the paper one. I felt I was being well looked after and I thoroughly enjoyed what was a very substantial course and more than adequate to keep me going for the remiander of the journey.
I have never been disappointed at the Cafe and I really must find time to look at the operative part of the Centre on my next visit. The shop is always interesting and well worth spending a little time in and there are supplies of leaflets regarding other attractions in the area. All the staff are helpful and the A roads are better blessed with eating establishments than the motorways, in my view.
On my most recent visit a Turkey Lunch was available so I opted for that. In no time a well-filled plate was brought to me containing sliced turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes and sausage wrapped in bacon. This looked quite substantial but the assistant returned a moment or two later with a tureen conaining boiled potoato, cabbage, cauliflower and carrots. I had just started my meal having taken a paper napkin from the counter but the manageress quickly dropped a clean white serviette in front of me remarking that this would be better than the paper one. I felt I was being well looked after and I thoroughly enjoyed what was a very substantial course and more than adequate to keep me going for the remiander of the journey.
I have never been disappointed at the Cafe and I really must find time to look at the operative part of the Centre on my next visit. The shop is always interesting and well worth spending a little time in and there are supplies of leaflets regarding other attractions in the area. All the staff are helpful and the A roads are better blessed with eating establishments than the motorways, in my view.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
