Things to do & see

Llandrinio was awarded the Business & Community Life award & also Welsh Region winner of the Village of the Year award in 2001. This was preceded in 2000 by the Welsh Village of the Year award.

The area is very popular for Paragliders with many local & accessible hills, for example, Criggion, Middletown Hill & the Long Mynd.

The Breidden Hills are one of the many attractive circular walks in the area. At the top of the Criggion is the Admiral Rodney monument with its panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. We have been up a few times & it really is breathtaking at the top. You can see right down the Severn Valley to The ironbridge Gorge. There are several routes to the top all varying in difficulty!

The Offa's Dyke, Severn way, Nesscliffe Hill, Ellesmere and the South Shropshire Long Mynd are all convenient for walking.

A local landmark was recently lost: the Criggion Radio Station with it's 600 ft masts closed down in March this year & the masts removed. It had a very interesting history: click here & here to learn more.

Fishing
We have negotiated fishing rights on a 1200m stretch of the River Severn within walking distance of the site. £2.50 per rod per day. Catch your own supper!

Eating
We visited the Bradford Arms in September 2008. Fantastic! http://www.bradfordarmshotel.com/
I had a great Steak & Chile, my wife had Sole, rest of us had Scampi, Lasagne all served with fresh veg & very nice chips. We will return!

Just half a mile up the road from Grantley Court is the "Punch Bowl Inn". 01691 830247. They serve good food & have special offers on for early eaters. They will also do take away meals for you. We have eaten there several times & can recommend it highly. The guest beers are good too!

There is a fish & chip shop & superb Chinese Take awayin the village, just ask us for directions.

"Jugs" restaurant in Llansantffraid can be highly recommended. We had a great meal there in February & it was superb. A family run business with very friendly staff. A restaurant meal works out in the region of £25 per head but they do a simpler "Bar Snack" menu for a lot less. I would say "pricey but worth it". 01691 828324

In Llanymynech is the Golden Valley Chinese Takeaway. 01691 830426. Had a family banquet from here recently and can recommend it thoroughly. The menu is extensive and well priced. We have a few menus on site. Please ask.

In Pant there is a Pub called the Cross Guns Inn. We recently had Sunday Lunch here and for £6.95 you get a choice of a roast dinner and a sweet. The child's portions are £3.50 and nearly as generous as the adults. We all enjoyed the meal. Read a review from the Shropshire Star. We understand that this place has recently changed management. The car park always looks full - so it must still be good. I will update the review next time we visit.

We visited the Cross Gates in Ford at the end of March & had a delicious Sunday Lunch. £5.95, all freshly cooked, very speedy service & excellent value. 5 of us ate and had a drink for less than £40. It is advisable to book for Sunday though - 01743 850332. Update as of October 2004. We went for a lunchtime meal as a family of 7. Absolutely delicious. The landlord has been there 9 years now & is proud of his pub & his Bowls team! Here is a Shropshire Star review from 2003.

Golf
Close by is the Builthy golf course, along with ones at Oswestry, Llanymynech, Welshpool and Shrewsbury.
The area also offers shooting, horse riding, quad biking and various adventure pursuits and plenty of pleasant country lanes for cycling.

PLACES TO VISIT
Shrewsbury with its castle, museums, black and white buildings and links with Cadfael
Ironbridge the birthplace of industry
Oswestry - an unspoilt market town
Welshpool home to Powis Castle
Lake Vyrnwy - (we particularly love the RSPB hide here)
The high waterfall at Llanrhaeadr
Melverly Church
The Ellesmere Lakes (feed the canada geese)
Montgomery and its castle
South Shropshire Hills
Ludlow
National Trust properties including Chirk Castle, Powis Castle, Erddig and Attingham Park & Stokesay Castle

WITHIN CLOSE DISTANCE YOU CAN EXPLORE
Snowdonia
Chester
The Welsh coast
Mid Wales Countryside