Things To Do

You will never be short of things to do in Shropshire during your stay at The Castle Hotel. Whether it be one of the more energetic activities such as cycling or hill walking, or just a lazy stroll around the ancient cobbled streets of Bishops Castle, this lovely and unspoilt area offers something for everyone. The entire area surrounding The Castle Hotel is designed an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it is fast becoming a renowned as a centre for outdoor activities.

Places to Visit

You are spoilt for choice for things to do near Bishops Castle, including characterful towns, ancient castles and bountiful gardens.

Shrewsbury is about half an hour away, and has been called England’s finest Tudor town. Famous for its “black and white” buildings, there are no less than 660 listed buildings in the town. The museum houses artefacts from the nearby Roman city of Wroxeter, and the town also has a superb Abbey and excellent shopping facilities. You may also choose to relax in beautiful Quarry Park, where the famous Shrewsbury Flower Show is held, or take a boat trip on the River Severn.

Ludlow is a similar distance, famous for its fine food, glorious architecture, and independent shops. There is fine Castle too. The town is frequently named as one of Britain’s best-preserved medieval town.

There are several National Trust properties nearby, including Powis Castle and Attingham Hall. Both offer a full day out in themselves, and the gardens at Powis Castle are world famous.

The Ironbridge Gorge is an easy drive, where the industrial revolution was started, and it is now a World Heritage Site. There are ten museums, including Blists Hill, an entire Victorian town recreated complete with a pub, Victorian sweet shops and a working foundry. The Coalport China Museum is also located here.

Other places for a day out include small towns like Montgomery and Church Stretton, or for more dramatic scenery motor over to Snowdonia and ascend Mount Snowdon on foot, or by the famous narrow-gauge railway.

Walking and Hiking

The Castle Hotel is a Walker Friendly Hotel, which means we go the extra mile to cater for even the most intrepid of walker needs. For more information on our extra facilities specifically for walkers please click the icon below.

From the more famous walks of the South Shropshire Way and Offa’s Dyke, to the hundreds of miles of public footpaths across the county, there is a walk here to suit all levels of fitness. The South Shropshire Way runs right past the front steps of the hotel, and we are also a popular stop-off for hikers walking the entire length of Offa’s Dyke. The Kerry Ridgeway Walk is a gentle 15 mile route through the hills of the central Welsh Marches, walking you through history – from the Stone Age, via the Bronze and Iron Ages, to a Norman motte and bailey high above Bishop’s Castle.

We also have a large number of illustrated local circular walks available from the hotel reception, ranging from under an hour, to a full day walk.

Walks on the Long Mynd and over to the Stiperstones are a must for the more hardy of walkers. For anyone looking for a more leisurely stroll take an amble up Carding Mill Valley in nearby Church Stretton. Owned by the National Trust you will be rewarded with glorious and panoramic views.

For an extensive collection of local walks all starting from Bishops Castle please visit The Roberts Family Walking in Bishops Castle website. It has a great range of short to all day walks in this wonderful corner of Shropshire.

Every year in June Bishops Castle hosts its annual Bishops Castle Walking Festival. This is a “Guided 3 Day Walking Festival in the Shropshire and the Mid-Wales Hills.” It is run by experienced volunteers and is one of the leading small Walking Festivals in the country.

Cycling

The Castle Hotel is a Cyclist Friendly Hotel, which means we go the extra mile to cater for all cyclist’s needs. For more information on our extra facilities specifically for cyclists please click the icon below.

As long as you are not afraid of the odd incline or two (you will struggle to find horizontal ground!) then cycling in and around Bishops Castle, The South Shropshire Hills and over into neighbouring Wales is truly a rewarding experience.

From long rides over to Church Stretton and the Stiperstones, to serious mountain biking over the Long Mynd and into Cardingmill Valley, you will constantly be surrounded by unspoilt countryside with countless miles of off-road tracks and valleys to explore. And what better way to end the day with a pint or two of locally brewed real ale and good food.

Bishops Castle is also a great place to stop over if you are cycling the Lands End to John o’Groats ride. For more details on this check out Pedal Nation

We offer a bicycle lock up facility.

Hang Gliding, Paragliding and Flying Instructor/Lessons

Leavesley Aviation Air Experience School owned and run by Ex-British Squad Member Mark Leavesley is based in Bishops Castle . Mark offers one to one professional guiding and tandem paragliding flights, with thousands of hours flying all around the world you are in the safest of hands guaranteed.

For more details visit Leavesley Aviation

For more information on Hang Gliding and Paragliding, visit the Long Mynd Soaring Club.

Green Adventure Tours – 4×4 & Classic Car Scenic Tours

Based in rural South Shropshire, Green Adventure Tours provide you with an ideal way to take your own car out into the countryside and explore some of the best places and scenery across Shropshire and the Welsh Borderlands.

Green Adventure Tours organises car tours that take in safe and secure green lanes routes especially for driving your 4×4 or planned road routes ideal for sports cars, classic cars or GT owners. For more information click here to visit their website

Golf

If Golf is your sport then you are well looked after. Church Stretton, Ludlow, Welshpool and Knighton all have courses to test even the most well travelled golfer. Shrewsbury is within 30 minutes drive and offers over three courses including the famous Hawkstone Park Golf Club.

Fishing and Shooting

The Castle Hotel is ideal for country sport getaways with superb shooting and fishing right on our doorstep for you to enjoy. Excellent course and fly fishing is available in many lakes, pools and rivers in the area.

“Highly recommended by friends the Hotel did not disappoint. charming and helpful staff, delicious food and drink and comfortable room made this a very pleasant overnight stay on our Journey.”

A. Person — Trip Advisor

This is a wonderful place to enjoy if you’re in Bishop’s Castle. We called in for coffee and cake on the Saturday and returned for Sunday lunch the next day. Fantastic service, excellent food and drink and a really nice atmosphere.

Keith G
1 August 2026
We had 2 specifications a walk in shower and a large bed bigger than a double! The Castle Hotel could meet both requirements! The room was large and well ventilated ,it was very hot, not anyone s fault. What there was an outside seating area close to our room.
The hotel is very dog friendly which we didn t mind but may not suit everyone.
The hotel is very old, lots of changes of level and very atmospheric. The Dining Room has wooden panelling , I expected Mrs Bennett to appear.
The cooking is excellent . We drank excellent local wine from the nearby winery, local beer was available. I suspect the ice cream was also local.
A daily what s on sheet was provided at breakfast , a nice touch to encourage local visits.

ahs1956
1 August 2026
The Castle Hotel is a very well managed hotel. Staff are well trained (and really pleasant and helpful) and everything was very efficient. This was a one night stay as we were cycle touring ; our bikes were safely stored and we were upgraded to a better room which was spacious and comfortable and really tastefully decorated. The only minor disadvantage was the proximity of the Town Hall clock which strikes every 15 minutes night and day - we had to close the window. The food in the restaurant is good, and well
priced, although for us the portions were too large. Breakfast was fine. Check in and checkout times are generous (3pm and 11am respectively) The garden is a very pretty and relaxing space and there is a guest terrace.
We would have no hesitation in returning.

Dajtrav
1 August 2026