Attractions
The Secret Hills Discovery Centre (www.shropshirehills.info) marks the starting point for various way-marked walks varying from two-eight miles in length. It also has a small tourist information area, library, shop with maps, books and gifts, a café, an exhibition of Shropshire through the ages - and a unique simulated balloon ride enabling you to experience an airborne journey through the Shropshire Hills without leaving terra firma.
The Land of Lost Content (www.lolc.org.uk) - an award winning nostalgia museum - features a superb collection of memorabilia from the 1900s onwards and is open daily from 1st February - 30th November (except Wednesdays).
Mickey Millers Play Barn (www.mickeymillers.com) is a firm favourite with children.
The Wernlas Collection (www.wernlas.com) is situated between Craven Arms and Onibury (just off the A49) and provides an introduction to the colourful world of rare poultry. It’s open daily (except Mondays) from mid September - mid July.
The Acton Scott Historic Working Farm Museum (www.actonscottmuseum.co.uk) is open from April-November, Tuesdays to Sundays, and situated approximately five miles from Craven Arms (three miles south of Church Stretton). The museum provides an insight into Victorian farming techniques and traditional rural life.
Oaker Wood Leisure (http://www.owlactivities.co.uk/) provides a world of outdoor activities.
Further afield...
Glansvern Hall Gardens (www.glansevern.co.uk) in Welshpool and the gardens at Hampton Court, Herefordshire (www.hamptoncourt.org.uk) are stunning all year round.
The Ironbridge Gorge Museum (www.ironbridge.org.uk), regarded as the birthplace of industry, is a World Heritage Site and home to a fascinating collection of 10 family-friendly museums.
And the Offas Dyke Information Centre (www.offasdyke.demon.co.uk) is just over the border into Knighton, Powys (around 20 miles from Norton).
At the Red Kite Feeding Station (www.gigrin.co.uk) in Rhayader, visitors can experience ravens, buzzards and other carrion feeding birds being fed each day. And there’s more great walking country to be enjoyed in the nearby Elan Valley (www.elanvalley.org.uk).
Open all year - and offering free admission - the Royal Air Force Museum at RAF Cosford (www.rafmuseum.org, www.nationalcoldwarexhibition.org.uk) is home to the award winning ‘ National Cold War Exhibition’.
And aficionados of all things ‘steam’ should be sure to visit the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway - which runs between Welshpool and Llanfair Caerinion (www.wllr.org.uk) - and the Severn Valley Railway (www.svr.co.uk) which spans Bridgnorth and Kidderminster.
The Grade II listed Hall at Abbey-Cwm-Hir, near Rhayader (www.abbeycwmhir.com) is one of Wales’ finest examples of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, which - following its recent refurbishment - was featured on BBC Wales’ Discovering Welsh Houses and Wales Today, ITV Wales’ Wales Tonight, Great Welsh Roads and How The Other Half Lives, and on S4C.
In particular, Christmas at the Hall is a magical time, with all 52 rooms decorated for the festive season (between mid November and early January) creating a truly Victorian Christmas atmosphere.
English Heritage properties
An excellent English Heritage leaflet entitled Historic Shropshire details all the properties in the area - including:
Stokesay Castle
Boscobel House
Wroxeter Roman City (open all year except Christmas)
Wenlock Priory (open all year except Christmas)
Haughmond Abbey
Buildwas Abbey
Ironbridge (open all year except Christmas)
The closest English Heritage property to Upper Norton is Stokesay Castle. Nestling in an attractive valley in the heart of rural Shropshire, it is arguably England’s most impressive fortified medieval manor.
Dating back to the 11th century, with a great hall that has remained unaltered since it was built in 1291, Stokesay is open:
Daily, from 21st March-30th September
From Wednesday to Sunday during October
Thursday to Sunday, from 1st November-28th February,
Wednesday to Sunday, throughout March
Note: Stokesay is closed from 24th - 26th December and on 1st January.
National Trust properties
An excellent National Trust booklet -Houses & Gardens in the Heart of England - covers all the National Trust properties in the area. Within easy reach of Norton are:
Croft Castle
Croft Castle is steeped in history. From the Iron Age hill fort at Croft Ambrey to the 17th century castle - which is set in beautiful Herefordshire countryside - there is plenty to discover.
Berrington Hall, near Leominster
Berrington Hall is idyllically located in the heart of Herefordshire. Here you can experience the lives of the many characters who made this beautiful house their home. Sample life as a servant in the Butler’s pantry or the laundry, and savour the beautiful interiors, exquisitely painted ceilings (created by Biaggio Rebecca) and the French Regency furniture (from the Digby collection), as well as the fine tapestries and carpets. The beautiful gardens surrounding the house, include a walled area that is home to a collection of over 50 traditional Herefordshire apple trees and other exotic fruit.
Attingham Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Attingham Park reflects the Regency splendour of England with its richly furnished rooms surrounded by magnificent landscaped parkland.
Powis Castle, Welshpool, Powys
This beautiful medieval castle - which rises dramatically above the 26 acre garden - is probably the mightiest of all Marcher strongholds, having evolved from a Medieval Welsh castle into a truly great country house.
Other National Trust homes worth of mention include:
Sunnycroft, Wellington, Shropshire
Dudmaston Hall, Quatt, Nr Bridgnorth, Shropshire
Benthall Hall, Broseley, Shropshire
Brockhampton Estate, Greenfields, Bringsty, nr Bromyard
The Weir Garden, Swainshill, nr Hereford
Wightwick Manor, Wightwick Bank, Wolverhampton
Kinver Edge & The Rock Houses, Kinver, nr Stourbridge