North Shropshire District - You'll find peaceful countryside and a unique landscape of sandstone hills, Meres and Mosses, and the four pretty little market towns of Ellesmere, Wem, Whitchurch and Market Drayton where old fashioned service and a warm welcome awaits.

Ellesmere - Is the heart of Shropshire's mere's and mosses, where the nutrient rich waters of the Mere attract an abundant amount of wildlife. This can all be viewed from the comfort of the visitor centre using CCTV.

Market Drayton - A market - so good that the town was named after it. The town is also known as the home of gingerbread which has been baked to a secret recipe in the town for over 200 years. Some say rum is included; but just in case it isn't the locals tend to dip it in port before they eat it.

Wem - Lies at the heart of North Shropshire, a perfect base for exploring in all directions. It is, as our friends across the water might describe as "quaint", filled with pretty Georgian buildings and delightful 'proper' small shops. The annual sweet pea show is a riot of colour and scent to delight the eye and tickle the nostril.

Whitchurch - The oldest continually inhabited town in Shropshire. Whitchurch is also home to the firm J. B. Joyce (est. 1690), the oldest tower clock makers in the world.

Oswestry is named after King Oswald of Northumbria, who died in AD641. Reverend Spooner was educated here and Dick Whittington also reputedly came from the nearby village of Whittington.

Shrewsbury is Shropshire's county town and is almost an island, encapsulated as it is in the meandering loop of the River Severn. Charles Darwin was born here and his statue sits outside Shrewsbury Library watching over his town.

Ironbridge - It's all so peaceful to day... Strange to think, then, that 250 years ago this was the furnace in which the Industrial Revolution was being forged. But it was here, within the dramatic gorge of the River Severn, that the great Ironmaster Abraham Darby (the first) perfected the secret of smelting iron with cheap and plentiful coke, rather than expensive charcoal. There are also the 10 Ironbridge Gorge Museums that are well worth a visit.

Telford - named after Thomas Telford the renowned civil engineer, Telford's gleaming buildings and hi tech businesses mark it out as a town for the future. One of the UK's fastest growing and most successful new towns - it contrasts with its historic neighbour Ironbridge the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

Wellington sits comfortably in the shade of the Wrekin, which dominates the landscape. The proximity of the town to the Wrekin means that it is a popular spot for walkers wishing to work their way to the top.

Madeley is full of history, its orgins can be traced back to the 8th Century and it is recorded in the Doomsday book.

Newport is one of Shropshire's picturesque market towns, located 10 miles from Telford on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border between two streams, River Meece and the Strine Brook, both tributaries of the River Tern.

Bridgnorth - Was described by Charles I as the "Finest View in all my Kingdom" and its easy to see why, for the town remains as stunning today as it was 350 years ago. It is also home to the Severn Valley Railway, Bridgnorth Cliff Railway - England's oldest inland Funicular railway and RAF Cosford - catch the last of the few.

Shifnal - Home to Boscobel House and the Royal Oak, where Charles II did snooze while avoiding capture by Cromwell's bloodthirsty hordes. Nearby, you'll find the Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford. There are over 80 aircraft on view in three wartime hangars on an active airfield. Chocks away!

Much Wenlock - Is home of the Modern Olympic Games, honestly! They were the brainchild of William Penny Brookes, his lofty aim was to provide the locals with an alternative to one of their favourite pastimes: drinking. Fortunately Shropshire's many delightful pubs seem to have survived his attentions. In fact, many of our innkeepers have branched out into serving fine food too. We don't know what happened to the Olympics.

Ludlow - Gastronomic Capital of Shropshire and home of the 14th best restaurant in the world. Ludlow is also an official 'slow' town with a quality of life quite apart from the hustle and bustle of the modern day.

Bishop's Castle - A traditional Old English town with old fashioned butchers, bakers and other high street shops. The town has a house on crutches and there are two museums celebrating local history and the railway.

Church Stretton - 'Little Switzerland' - without the wolves and avalanches. A thriving antiques centre with over 60 stalls is open every day and nearby Acton Scott Historic Farm will give you a taste of farming at the turn of the 19th Century well before mechanisation.

Craven Arms - Is home to Stokesay Castle, the finest 13th Century fortified manor house in England. The town is an ideal place for long walks along scenic routes through Shropshire's idyllic countryside.

Clun - One of "the quietest places under the sun". AE Housman. Clun is a very peaceful place, very pretty and has walks galore with Offa's Dyke, Caer Caradoc and Bury Ditches Hill forts nearby.

Cleobury Mortimer - Cleobury Mortimer is set on the flanks of the Clee Hills - Titterstone Clee and Brown Clee which has the highest summit south of the Pennines. Surrounded by panoramic views and wonderful walks.