A companion who shares their interests, in Shropshire

Somewhere to go

Gentle valley walking at Carding Mill Valley

Church Stretton

A National Trust valley on the eastern flank of the Long Mynd with a stream, a tea room and walking routes of varying length. A carer can drive to the valley car park, take a short stretch along the stream at the walker's own pace and use the tea room as a turning point.

Getting around: There are six designated accessible parking spaces about 40m from the tea room, benches and seats outside the tea room, and an accessible toilet.

Source: nationaltrust.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

The Promenade beside The Mere at Ellesmere

Ellesmere

The largest of the north Shropshire meres, with a lakeside promenade running past the visitor centre to the Victorian Cremorne Gardens. A carer can park at The Moors car park, walk as much of the shore as suits and stop at benches to watch the wildfowl.

Getting around: A broad surfaced path runs from The Moors car park along the side of the Mere for almost a mile to Cremorne Gardens.

Source: accessiblecountryside.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Local food

Shropshire fidget pie

A traditional county pie of bacon or gammon, apples, onions and sometimes cider, historically linked with harvest time. A carer can shop for the ingredients together and take on the peeling and oven work while the older person handles the pastry and seasoning.

Source: bradtguides.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

In the calendar

Ludlow Food Festival at Ludlow Castle

Ludlow

A long running food and drink festival held in the grounds of Ludlow Castle, with producers, tastings and demonstrations. A carer can go on a quieter weekday session if available, plan seating stops and carry purchases so the visit stays comfortable.

Source: ludlowfoodfestival.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

The walled garden and grounds at Attingham Park

Shrewsbury

A National Trust estate near Shrewsbury with a working walled kitchen garden, glasshouses and orchard, plus level parkland tracks. A carer can book a wheelchair or Tramper in advance, then take a slow circuit of the garden and finish at the Carriage House cafe.

Getting around: Wheelchairs and Trampers can be borrowed if booked ahead by phone, there is designated Blue Badge parking and accessible toilets, and the main tracks are flat though they can be uneven or muddy.

Source: nationaltrust.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Hodnet Hall Gardens

Market Drayton

Landscaped gardens of lakes, pools and seasonal borders in the grounds of Hodnet Hall, open to visitors on set days. A carer can check the opening days before setting off and plan a short route around the nearer lawns and borders rather than the full circuit.

Source: visitshropshire.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Volunteering with Shropshire Wildlife Trust

The county wildlife charity recruits volunteers for roles ranging from visitor centre welcome and office help to practical reserve work. A carer can help match a role to what someone can manage, handle the application and provide the lift to shifts.

Source: shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Volunteering in the Shropshire Hills National Landscape

The Shropshire Hills National Landscape team lists volunteering opportunities helping to look after the hills, from surveys and monitoring to practical tasks. A carer can go through the list together, pick something seated or short and go along on the day.

Source: shropshirehills-nl.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.