During a July heatwave took a short break to the scenic Shropshire Hills in the West Midlands. What follows is a compilation of the best landscape photography during my stay in the wonderful Shropshire Hills.

The Wrekin

I checked into a holiday inn express hotel just on the outskirts of Shrewsbury. This put me at the northern end of the Shropshire Hills and a stones throw from the first hill to ascend – The Wrekin.

The northern end of the Shropshire hills have the more iconic hills and better walks. Ideally would have stayed in Church Stretton but accommodation was sparse. Great views from up on the Wrekin, the Wrekin dominates the landscape in the area and kind of isolated. Its popular with town and city folk.

The Lawley Shropshire Hills

The intention was to rise for a sunrise for the Lawley. Glad I did not as took me a couple of hours to find the small carpark. Returned for a sunset from the Lawley and was not disappointed.

Beautiful walk along the Lawley ridge. Experiencing the best of the golden hour and sunset. Even the moon put in an appearance. A lot quieter on the Lawley, more for people in the know.

The Long Mynd Stiperstones

Only stayed in Shrewsbury for two nights I was now making my way to the southern end of the Shropshire Hills to stay in a shepherds hut on a farm, just to be different. On the way scouted out Burway hill and Pole bank on the Long Mynd.

Lots of potential at the Long Mynd, especially for sunset, lots of free carparks along the main road out of Church Stretton and not too many people about. Think the Shropshire Hills are maybe one of England’s secrets. What I saw a few people doing is pulling up in the free carparks then finding a nice spot with their deck chairs, picnic, book and admiring the views all day. Should have done some of that.

Same for the Stiperstones, offering some good foreground interest in the form of Granite rocks catching both the highlights and shadows. The photos are not bad for midday during a July heatwave. Its always a few degrees cooler when your in the hills and often there is a nice cooling breeze. But too hot for a hike. I would return.

Clun Castle

Staying in a hut on a farm in the south was a unique experience, but put me some way from the main attractions for a landscape photographer. It was a 45 minute drive back to Church Stretton. Still I explored the area, don’t know until you try.

That first evening took a drive to Clun to get some supplies and have a pint and pub meal. Clun is a beautiful little Shropshire village. The very photogenic ruins of Clun castle is right next door. The ruins of Clun castle made a great subject for some golden hour landscape photography. Lucky I took my camera gear with me.

Burway, Long Mynd, Shropshire Hills

The next evening I made a return to Church Stretton and the Long Mynd to photograph golden hour and sunset from Burway Hill. From Burway Hill their are magnificent views east back to Caer Caradoc, the Lawley and The Wrekin.

Compositions were difficult from Burway hill, so much to include. That evening the sky was featureless but the golden light soaking the hills was good. The best compositions seemed to be wide angle telephotos or panoramas. Just too much for a single frame.

Bury Ditches

The July summer heatwave was stifling but tried to use the daytime constructively to do some scouting. Close to Clun was a south Shropshire Hill known as the Bury Ditches. Bury Ditches had its own private free carpark nearby so would not require to much walking in the heat.

Despite the heat was a lovely walk around the remain of an ancient hill fort on the top of Bury Ditches. Some nice compositions too made possible by the deep blue sky and cumulus clouds with big splashes of purple on the ground via Fireweed.

Caer Caradoc Shropshire Hills

My visit to the Shropshire hill would not be complete without a climb up Caer Caradoc. Caer Caradoc is the most iconic of the Shropshire hills right beside the small town of Church Stretton.

The walk was not too difficult to the summit. From the summit the views were amazing. On top the weather was changing. Realised on Caer Caradoc a sunrise would be pretty amazing this time of year. What would have made that possible is wild camping on top. Yes, realised then, should have brought my camping gear and stayed the night. Summer sunrise’s just occur too early, to then have to do a long drive and climb a steep hill. Better to come the night before for the sunset, wild camp, be ready for a sunrise too.

Great time had in the Shropshire Hills in the West Midlands. The intention now is every few months to visit, explore and photograph more of England’s iconic locations.

Check out the Shropshire Landscape Photography gallery