17 things to do in Shropshire with kids

After growing up in the neighbouring county, I’ve got lots of childhood memories of some of Shropshire’s family attractions – but with so many things to do in Shropshire with kids, especially outdoors, there’s still plenty to explore in the county with my daughter, as well as revisiting old favourites.

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We’ve visited for a short break glamping after lockdown, to enjoy getting away from home and getting away from it all at the same time: our first trip away, Shropshire was perfect with gorgeous countryside to explore and attractions which weren’t swamped with people.

It’s still as tempting – and nearly as crowd-free – a few years on. And even when the Great British summer decided mid-July was a good time to rain (sigh), we still packed a lot into our time in the county – here are a few of our favourite things to do in Shropshire with kids.

Ironbridge Gorge Museums

The Ironbridge Gorge museums – and the gorge itself – are somewhere I’ve been visiting since I was a child, including countless visits to the wonderful Blists Hill Victorian Town.

I went back with my daughter a couple of years ago, who loved it as much as I did, from the chance to watch traditional crafts to buying Victorian sweets in the sweet shop, watching horses wandering through the cobbled streets and exploring the old houses.

Check out our review from our visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town

The living history museum has lots of outdoor space to explore as well as the indoor attractions, plus there’s hands-on science at Enginuity, a chance to venture into the Tar Tunnel and gorgeous ceramics and tiles in some of the other Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

See Shropshire from the water

What better way to see the iron bridge than from the river, with a boat trip along the Severn, soaking up the scenery and spotting wildlife as you go?

If you’ve got time to kill, you could plan your whole Shropshire family holiday around the water, hiring a narrowboat to cruise slowly through the countryside – while you can’t take a narrowboat along the Shropshire section of the river, it’s easy to explore along the Shropshire Union Canal.

Want someone else to do all the hard work? Sabrina Boat Tours has daily cruises on the River Severn from Shrewsbury, running every hour.

If you fancy yourself as captain, you might have to settle for a smaller boat, but there’s no shortage of choices. River Severn Canoes has several routes from Bridgnorth, while you can also hire a canoe in Shrewsbury if you want to combine time on the water with a visit to Shropshire’s county town.

Or Shropshire Raft Tours in Ironbridge have a choice of canoe, kayak, mini-raft and coracles, suitable for kids aged 4+ (as well as mega SUPs for children aged 10 and above).

Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre

This is a great place to start a visit to the county – as well as being a good option for a rainy day in Shropshire with kids.

The little discovery centre traces the history of Shropshire from prehistoric times, when the land sat near the equator and was covered by a warm shallow sea, and the Ice Age, which carved out the countryside you can explore today.

From woolly mammoths to Romans, Iron Age Forts, Saxons and Normans, it’s a great introduction to Shropshire for kids, including a little trail (and stickers) plus a short video to watch.

There are some interactive elements too, including dressing up and hands-on displays, plus it starts with a replica mammoth skeleton – four real ones were found in the area – so it’s easy to capture kids’ imaginations.

There’s also a cafe here and toilets, before setting out on some of the walking routes which lead from the centre, sitting at a crossroads of four of the Shropshire Way routes.

Pick up one (or more!) of the six Discovery Walks leaflets with details, including gentle strolls as well as full-day treks through the hills.

Wroxeter Roman City

The Roman settlement of Viriconium was one of the biggest in the country, almost as large as Pompeii – today it’s an English Heritage site and you can take an audio tour to discover more about the lives of the people who once inhabited the ancient city.

There’s also a museum with artefacts found on the site (currently closed, reopening Spring 2023), as well as a huge Roman bath house, plus the remains of walls and the market place. 

The Roman townhouse, reconstructed as part of a project with Channel 4 using Roman tools and materials and based on the design of a town house which once stood here, is also currently closed.

Tickets can be prebooked, although it’s not required – free to English Heritage members.

For more ideas of Roman places in the UK to visit with kids, I’ve rounded up some of the best across the country

Ludlow Castle

One of the prettiest towns in England, with its black and white timbered buildings, colourful little foodie shops and cobbled streets, Ludlow was once at the heart of England’s history – as its ruined castle attests.

The fortress dates back to the 11th century, and was one of the first stone castles to be built in England by the Normans. Later home to the powerful Mortimer family, who ruled this borderland with Wales, it also housed Prince Arthur (elder brother to Henry VIII) and Catherine of Aragon.

Today, you can still see the intricate carving around the entrance to the unusual round chapel as well as the solid Norman tower (currently limited entry times and numbers) – during our visit, we even spotted an unexpected dragon plus a huge wooden throne.

There are information boards dotted around but it’s the ideal place for kids to let their imaginations run free, pretending to be knights, princesses or dragons themselves.

No prebooking needed. As the castle is mostly ruined, you’re effectively outdoors the whole time if you’re looking for things to do in Shropshire in the rain with kids.

While you’re in Ludlow, stop off at the Ludlow Farmshop just outside the town, which has some fantastic food – Ludlow has a well-earned foodie reputation with some lovely shops in town too – including plenty of treats and picnic provisions.

Wyre Forest

This Forestry England site on the edge of Shropshire and Worcestershire is fantastic for kids of any age – as with other forests around England, you’ll often find themed trails for kids (we’ve hunted Gruffalos, Superworm, Stick Man, Zog and Shaun the Sheep at various English sites before now) as well as several circular walking routes and bike trails.

The walking routes at Wyre Forest start from a 30-minute stroll with plenty of signs along the paths – we decided to wander the Woodpecker trail which was a bit longer, and at times, it felt like we had the woods to ourselves (apart from the occasional squirrel, butterflies galore and birds calling in the trees).

As you stroll, you can ponder the fact that this ancient woodland is around 10,000 years old. Where you’re squirrel spotting, Stone Age man was busy using flint tools to chop down trees for his fires…

For older kids, it’s also home to a Go Ape centre with two high ropes courses. The toilets are open, as is the cafe – I highly recommend the scones to fuel you up for the walk.

Boscobel House

Home to the original Royal Oak – the tree where the future Charles II hid during the Civil War, before fleeing the country after the Battle of Worcester – Boscobel House has a great mix of history and family-friendly activities.

The original tree has been standing in solitary splendour for some time, but after a major replanting project, the original woodland which surrounded it has been recreated to return it to the state it would have been in the 17th century, using saplings from the royal oak itself.

There are now rare breed animals in the Victorian Farm for the first time in over 100 years, including Tamworth pigs and Ryeland sheep, and you can wander through period barns and the cobbled farmyard, before heading to the new Hide and Seek play area, made with natural materials.

The timber-framed house itself was a hiding place for persecuted Catholics – after climbing down from the oak tree, Charles spent the night in the house’s priest hole, and you can still see this and its other secrets, with new information on Boscobel’s history, plus more family-friendly Hide and Seek activities.

Stokesay Castle

The best-preserved fortified medieval manor house in England, Stokesay Castle looks like it has stepped from a fairytale – there’s even a fairytale tower, with some gorgeous views out to the countryside.

Built at the end of the 13th century, the great hall has stayed unchanged for over 700 years, and you can see characters carved into the timbers of the 17th century gatehouse as you explore – look out for the Stokesay dragon.

There’s also the walled garden and moat to explore as well as some of the other historic rooms as you visit, including the solar, before strolling through the walled gardens and moat.

Clun Castle

This area of England, along the border with Wales, was once dotted with medieval castles, a legacy of the often turbulent period of history in what was known as the Marches – stretching right down into Gloucestershire, where we explored Goodrich Castle.

And you can still see plenty today, including the dramatic ruins of Clun Castle, built just after the Norman Conquest. It sits high on a mound outside the town – although unlike most other castles, the keep isn’t on the top but off to one side.

You can also visit Wigmore Castle nearby – once home to Roger Mortimer, who briefly ruled England alongside Edward II’s queen Isabella before being executed for treason – as well as the ruins of Acton Burnell castle, a fortified medieval manor house which once housed a bishop.

All three have no entry charge so they’re great if you’re looking for free things to do in Shropshire with kids.

Go for a walk

As well as the lovely Wyre Forest, there are countless other options if you’re looking to go walking in Shropshire with kids.

The Shropshire Way and Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail are both steeped in history and give you the chance for some serious walking as well as a shorter wander with kids.

For another energetic option, climb to the top of Titterstone Clee Hill, one of the highest points in the area. Or discover the legend of the Stiperstones, dramatic rock formations which – so the story goes – were dropped by the devil when his apron strings broke.

You can also explore Mortimer Forest with its Iron Age hill fort – an easier section of the Mortimer Trail which has its own legends of sprites and fairies.

Attingham Park

Home to the Hill family – later the Lords Berwick – lovely Attingham Park dates back to the 18th century, on land once belonging to Haughmond Abbey.

The grounds, include the walled garden, some play areas and deer park, with plenty of space to roam with kids. There’s natural play equipment in the Field of Play, including some traditional playground favourites from slides to swings.

There are regular family trails, including special additional activities during school holidays – the Mile Walk has previously been decorated with the animals of Attingham Wood, a series of panels which kids will love – otters playing Pooh sticks, foxes doing yoga.

And inside the house, head below stairs to see how servants would have lived and worked, as well as heading upstairs to learn the stories of many of those who helped make Attingham Park into the mansion you can explore too.

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World (formerly Hoo Farm)

Shropshire’s only zoo is a lovely stop with younger kids, especially – with smaller exotic animals, including meerkats, lemurs, ostrich, crocodiles and wolves, alongside more traditional farmyard creatures.

Set in 32 acres of woodland and paddocks, the farm itself is thought to date back as much as 200 years, and there’s pig, deer and lamb feeding, as well the option to meet the owls and experiences to spend time with other animals.

And along with family fun like the galloping goat race and pony rides (as well as go carts), the other temptation for kids at Hoo Zoo is 15 full size moving dinosaurs (and other ancient beasts) through the woodland walk, as well as prehistoric family activities.

If you’re looking for other animal attractions in Shropshire for kids, Acton Scott historic working farm is currently closed

Wonderland

Fairytales come to life at Wonderland, a woodland attraction in Telford Town Park that’s perfect for younger kids.

The rides are suitable for children up to 4ft tall, plus other entertainments including crazy golf, while there’s also the Wonderland Maze, Dinosaur Valley to explore and special themed events for Halloween plus the Winter Wonderland Christmas village.

You can also meet the various fairytale characters, as well as discovering their houses along the way.

Explore Shrewsbury

The county town of Shropshire dates back to Saxon times, when its name would have been the rather unpronounceable Scrobbesbyrig.

Once home to an important abbey, only the church remains today, but Shrewsbury is still a lovely town to explore. One of my favourite ways is by going on a treasure hunt – check out the Treasure Map Trails collection for Shropshire, including two for Shrewsbury.

Plus you can get 10% off using code MUMMYTRAVELS – click here to buy

Or you can also follow a Treasure Trail (something we’ve tried in Topsham, Aldeburgh, Greenwich and Salisbury among others).

There are two to choose from – a treasure hunt-themed trail, which takes around 90 minutes, as well as the two-hour Darwin’s Shrewsbury murder mystery trail.

You can also visit the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, including the Roman collection and family activities during holidays.

Weston Park

The history of Weston Park dates back to the Domesday Book, although the current house is a comparative newcomer, built in the 17th century – the stately home, with its impressive art collection, is open on limited dates during the summer months but there’s masses more to discover.

Designed by Capability Brown, the 1,000 acres of parkland and grounds includes the Woodland Adventure playground, as well as Temple Wood, the Walled garden and formal gardens, plus you can pick up a map with more walking routes to explore off the beaten track.

Assuming you can drag your kids out of the adventure playground of course, with its swings, slides, climbing wall, trampolines, sandpit with diggers, and one of the longest double zip wires in the country at nearly 40 metres long.

Add in a maze and miniature railway to the list of outdoor activities and it’s a great day out in Shropshire with kids.

Battlefield Bird of Prey Centre

The Battlefield Bird of Prey Centre (formerly Battlefield Falconry Centre) is unbeatable for older kids who love animals, with the chance to do more than get close up and hands on too.

As well as entry to the centre to see the birds, plus mini handling sessions, there are also a series of other experiences to try – while they’re not the cheapest day out, it’s easily one of the most memorable in Shropshire for kids.

For these, you buy a voucher for entry, which then must be booked for a specific time and date, including the Hawk Walk and Bird Handling session (starting from £35) as well as more expensive experiences.

As its name suggests, the bird handling lets you safely handle some of the wonderful birds of prey including various owls, while the Hawk Walk (for age 14+ only) is an hour-long wander through the woods with the hawks being called to your fist.

Royal Airforce Museum Cosford

Small fans of planes (and large fans, for that matter), will love the RAF Cosford Museum in Shifnal – as well as air shows, there are usually family events during the holidays.

Or you can explore the interactive gallery to help kids learn how aircraft fly as well as trying a VR spitfire experience. Plus the new Bomber Command exhibition is set to open in May 2023.

There’s no entry charge (although you do have to pay for parking) so it’s great for a cheap day out in Shropshire with kids.

For more ideas of days out in the UK with kids, check out my pick of the best across the country

*First published 2020, last updated 2023*

PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN SHROPSHIRE WITH KIDS

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Main image, Stokesay Castle, Shropshire Hills, Shrewsbury, eagle owl courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels

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