Four women and young child walking through Abernethy Forest, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, - Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Your local green spaces
Shropshire is full of local nature reserves, walking trails and parks but it is easy to overlook those that are right on your doorstep.
Access to outdoor spaces is essential in improving our physical and mental health at any time, but even more so during times of crisis and stress. A short walk around the local park and encountering the wildlife that calls it home can work wonders if you are feeling stressed, but it often requires a bit of motivation and local knowledge to get yourself out of the front door.
Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Energize Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have been working on a Green Social Prescribing Project with support from local authorities, and have produced a guide showcasing 9 short routes in nature for anyone looking to get active in green spaces to improve their physical and mental health.
The Routes
Each route has its own free downloadable guide with information about the route including how to get there, accessibility, plus what to see and do. We are sure these will help you find somewhere in your local area to walk to for exercise, relaxation and some wildlife watching.
If any of these routes motivate you to get out more, then ensure to read the last section which gives you further links of groups, places, inspiration and how to get involved - there is so much that our county has to offer, so 'Let's Go Outside'!
Aston Nature Reserve
Walk around Bridgnorth
Dothill Local Nature Reserve
Ellesmere & Llangollen Canal Walk
Quarry Wood
Randlay Valley Local Nature Reserve
Rea Brook Valley Local Nature Reserve
Rough Park Local Nature Reserve
Whitcliffe Common Nature Reserve
More FREE places to explore:
Shropshire Wildlife Trust www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves
Shropshire's Great Outdoors www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/waIking/
Walking in Telford and Wrekin www.telford.gov.uk/info/20465/walking/1059/walking routes
Telford and Wrekin Parks and Green Spaces www.telford.gov.uk/info/20085/green and open spaces
You could join a walking group:
Ramblers Wellbeing Walks, Telford and Wrekin www.waIkingforhealthtelfordandwrekin.org.uk
Ramblers Wellbeing Walks, Shropshire www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/wellbeing-walks-groups/ramblers-wellbeing-walks shropshire
Or a conservation group:
Shropshire Wildlife Trust has local branches and affiliated groups in your area: www.shropshirewiIdIifetrust.org.uk/locaI-branches
In Telford and Wrekin, the Telford Green Space Partnership's 'Friends of' groups work with the Local Authority to maintain green spaces. For more information contact the Chairperson on chairman.tgsp@gmail.com or 07813 788094.
For more inspiration:
For ideas about how to get further involved with nature see www.shropshirewiIdIifetrust.org.uk/get-involved and www.shropshirewiIdIifetrust.org.uk/visit-explore-nature
For your local community directory in Shropshire see www.shropshire directory.co.uk and Telford and Wrekin visit https:/livewell.telford.gov.uk
