The service will run every weekend from Saturday 27th of May until Sunday 8th October 2023.
As well as new route and timetable, the bus will run with a greatly reduced and simplified ticket pricing scheme, but will no longer be free to concessionary bus pass holders.
In response to local demand, and to provide a new attraction for the area, that links more of our delightful villages, we are trialling the new ‘Round the Mynd’ circuit (route A), which links with the original route (route B).
- Route A ‘Round the MyndThis will run once in the morning, starting at All Stretton just before 10am, and do a ‘clockwise’ circuit linking Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton Train Station and the communities south of Little Stretton around the bottom of the Mynd. Once at Bridges, the bus takes it’s usual journey westwards passing the Bog, Stiperstones Village, and Snailbeach Mine to terminate at Plox Green (with connections to the Shrewsbury – Bishops Castle bus). From here the bus returns to Bridges and its route around the Mynd continues clockwise – but with a new link, as it drops down through Woolstaston to Leebotwood and the A49. The circuit terminates at Carding Mill Valley (but stay on if you want to get back to the station).
- Route B The Cross Mynd Dasher will cross the Mynd in the early afternoon following the usual route via the Burway and Shooting Box to Bridges then on to the Bog and Snailbeach. It returns on the same route as Route A, again linking to Leebotwood, The Pound Inn, caravan site and the 435 bus service.
Ticketing
We’ve taken the decision to charge for all tickets, although these will be at a significantly reduced price.
- Adult single ticket £2 for one stop, and £4 for a multi-stop.
- Adult Day Rover £5, (allows you to hop on and off any service, all day)
- Child Day Rover £3 (allows you to hop on and off any service, all day)
- Family Day Rover (2 adults + up to 3 children) £10.00, additional child £3
- Season ticket £50 (allowing unlimited travel throughout the season)
Popular shuttle stops
Carding Mill Valley The National Trust looks after much of the Long Mynd. Carding Mill Valley is the ideal starting point to find out about the wildlife, history and conservation work on the Mynd. Events and activities are held throughout the year and lots of walks start here.
Church Stretton Set in the heart of the hills. There are plenty of cafes and interesting shops, including a huge antiques emporium, to browse. Lots of walks start/finish in Church Stretton, which is designated as a Walkers are Welcome town.
Shooting Box, Long Mynd & walks
- 2 mile walk into Carding Mill Valley. Use the Shuttle Bus to climb onto the Long Mynd and enjoy the down hill walk with breathtaking views.
- 5 mile walk to Bridges. Jump off at Shooting Box and follow the Portway heading north to join the Shropshire Way, route 8 to Bridges. At Bridges, catch the Shuttle Bus back to Church Stretton.
Bridges, Ratlinghope & walksThe Shuttle Bus stops next to the River Onny and outside the popular Bridges Country Pub (open from noon). There is also a Youth Hostel at Bridges.
- 5.5 mile circular Adston Walk. This walk heads to the pretty village of Wentnor, which boasts two pubs. Panoramic views from the summit of Adstone Hill.
- 6.5 miles circular Darnford Walk. A beautiful walk along the Darnford Brook and through the Golden Valley.
Stiperstones National Nature Reserve & walks
This is a wild and atmospheric landscape. The Ordovician ‘Stiperstones Quartzite’, which makes up the ridge was shattered during the last ice age to create the jagged, boulder-strewn landscape seen today.
- You can walk from the Reserve to the Bog Visitor Centre and enjoy a slice of homemade cake whilst you wait for the next Shuttle Bus. To do this, go through the Reserve gate (which leads up to the Stiperstones ridge) and follow the grassy path on the left which skirts around the ridge. This eventually leads you to a junction – turn left (right leads you up onto the ridge). Go through the gate on the left to reach the road. Cross the road and follow the waymarkers across the field to another gate. Entre the next field and head straight down, following an old hedgeline. Go through the kissing gate and follow path down to the Bog Mine and Visitor Centre.
- Stiperstones Butterfly Trail – leaflet to download. An 8-mile circular walk with short cuts. If starting from this Shuttle stop, start from point 9 in the leaflet!
The Bog Mine and Visitor Centre & walks A warm welcome awaits, along with homemade cakes, local crafts and displays on the wildlife and history of the area. The following walks start from this Shuttle stop:
- 4.5 mile Flenny Bank Walk. A shorter walk through scattered mining remains to Shelve, Flenny Back and back.
- 5.5 mile Bog & Stiperstones Walk. Walk walk along the edge of the Stiperstones to Shelve and Flenny Bank.
- 6 mile Mucklewick Walk. This walk leads you through quiet borderland onto Mucklewick Hill and through Nipstone Nature Reserve.
- Nipstone Nature Reserve – stop at the Bog Visitor Centre. The volunteers at the Centre will be able to point you in the right direction for this nature reserve. You want to be heading south on a small lane from the Centre. Look out for the alpaca’s grazing in the fields on your right. The entrance to Nipstone is ahead on your left.
Stiperstones Village & walks Stop here for the popular Stiperstones Inn and village shop.
- 7.5 mile circular walk Hope Valley’s Hidden Heritage. You can halve the length of this walk by taking the short cut at the Hope Valley Nature Reserve and head back to Stiperstones village to catch the Shuttle Bus.