15 Free Days Out/Activities to do whilst staying at Sambrook Manor Cottages.

The school holidays are half way through and the kids need entertaining, there are adverts galore for big theme parks and days out and whilst these are great fun they can also be very expensive so why not mix the big trips with some no cost options.

Here are some ideas for free days you can enjoy whilst staying in our holiday cottages –

Head down to the Ironbridge Gorge a UNESCO world heritage site and take a walk over the world’s first Iron bridge ever built. Constructed over the River Severn in 1779 by Abraham Darby, on the south side of the bridge is an exhibition in the former toll house which has no charge and the village of Ironbridge it’s self is a picturesque place to have a mooch around the shops and there are also some great walks along the Gorge.
Take a walk up the Wrekin, a steep climb in places but well worth it when you get to the top to have a spectacular view across Shropshire and the surrounding counties (17 can be seen on a clear day) A small car park at the bottom which does charge. Take a few snacks & drinks to enjoy whilst admiring the view.
Visit the English heritage sites of Lilleshall Abbey, Haughmond Abbey or Moreton Corbet Castle all have substantial remains and a short drive from our cottages and all have free entry, great places to visit for a pic-nic with a stunning backdrop and why not take the opportunity to take some fantastic photographs.
Just 5 miles down the road over the border into Staffordshire is Loynton Moss a SSSI nature reserve, this post glacial landscape is a rich diverse wetland and home to a variety of insects which attract many bird species including the reed bunting, willow warbler and reed warbler.
A little bit further away (less than an hour) and staying in Staffordshire is Lichfield Cathedral, free to get in but donations welcome. Lichfield is the only medieval three-spired Cathedral in the UK and this magnificent building rich in history, architecture and treasures is still very much alive today.
Canal walks take a stroll along the many canal towpaths we have near to us, walk the five flights of locks at Tyrley near to Market Drayton, visit Wappensall wharf, the high bridge at Norbury and the Norbury Junction or walk from our cottages to join the canal at Soudley.
To keep the younger, one’s entertained a tip to Telford town park won’t disappoint, next to the shopping centre is large play area with a junior sand pit, Britain’s largest spider web/space net, swings, slides, equipment for all abilities and ages and don’t forget a spare change of clothes for fun in the water play area.
Immerse yourself in the sight & smell of over 4000 roses with a visit to David Austin award winning rose gardens free to visit with six themed gardens filled with beautiful roses which have been grown on this Shropshire farm for over 60 years.
Visit the RAF Midlands Museum located at Cosford less than 30 minutes from our cottages. A free museum dedicated to the history of aviation and the RAF, a family attraction with lots of hands-on activities. Car parking charges apply.
Walk or cycle the Newport to Stafford Greenway which is car free and follows the route of a redundant railway, total distance is 25 miles (12.5 there and back) but if you didn’t want to do the whole route it’s just over 4 miles to Gnosall on a flat easy route.

Keep the little ones entertained at one of the local village playgrounds the one’s nearest to us are Childs Ercall, Hinstock, or Edgmond all are next to the village hall’s and have car parks and large playing fields nearby to have a good kick about as well. Lilleshall also has a good playground and from the far corner of the field is a footpath up to the top of Lilleshall monument where you can get great views of the local countryside and sit and watch the world go by.
Head to Shrewsbury the County town which has lots of fantastic Tudor buildings to see whilst mooching around the great variety of independent shops or the lively vibrant indoor market Hall. Take a stroll in The Quarry along the River Severn and explore The Dingle Garden with its ornamental flower beds. Shrewsbury Abbey is one of the oldest buildings in Shrewsbury founded by the Benedictine Monastery in 1083, free to enter but donations welcome with various events happening each week. At the top of the quarry, you will find St Chad’s a circular church rebuilt in 1792 and the place where Charles Darwin was baptised on the 15^th November 1805.
Fordhall Organic Farm just a few minutes up the road in Market Drayton has free entry and offers, farm trails, mud kitchen, sensory walk, woodland with sculptures, swings & dens. England’s first community owned farm with 1 farmer and 8000 landlords farm shop & café on site with seasonal events throughout the year.
Dagfields is the largest craft & antique centre in the North West and a great way to loose a few hours exploring & stepping back in time with items from your childhood, not only have they got 7 giant antique emporiums there is also 25 unique & individual shops on site as well and just over 5 minutes down the road is Bridgemere garden centre one of Britain’s largest garden centres with six acres of award winning show gardens, a shopping village and two restaurants.
Get out and explore the great outdoors in Cannock Chase an area of outstanding natural beauty or Natural Trust’s Carding Mill Valley & Shropshire Hills all waiting to be explored great on either foot or bike, with hills to climb and streams paddle in not forgetting the wildlife and fantastic scenery to take in.