Accessible viewpoints created in Shropshire Hills
Shropshire CouncilA network of accessible viewpoints is being developed so that it is easier for people with access needs to visit the Shropshire countryside.
The project, Open Horizons, is led by Shropshire Council and the Shropshire Hills National Landscape team, and is supported through funding from Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The viewpoints will be spread across the Shropshire Hills - which covers parts of both Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.
The authority said the locations offer a range of access options. Some allow visitors to enjoy views from their car, while others involve short, level walking routes to a viewpoint. A small number require a slightly longer walk.
The locations include:
- Asteron Bank
- Castle Pulverbatch Motte
- Clee Hill
- Darnford Brook
- The River Severn meander at Leighton
- Lyth Hill Country Park
- Plush Hill
- Poles Coppice
- The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre and Bog Visitor Centre
Each viewpoint has a detailed access guide, which will provide information about parking, paths, gradients and nearby facilities.
Many of the sites include an audio description of the landscape for those who are blind or partially sighted.
"Shropshire's natural landscape is one of our greatest assets, and it's important that people with different access needs can experience and enjoy it," said Sarah Marston, Shropshire Council portfolio holder for communities and the environment.
"The Open Horizons project is a fantastic example of how we can increase access, providing clear information, innovative interpretation, and creative installations that make our countryside more inclusive.
"Whether people want to enjoy a view from their car or take a gentle walk to a viewpoint, these sites offer something for everyone."
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