Shropshire's countryside opened up as new accessible viewpoints revealed
A major new network of accessible viewpoints has been launched across the Shropshire Hills National Landscape, opening up some of the county’s most famous vistas to visitors with a range of mobility and sensory needs.
The initiative, known as the Open Horizons project, has been developed in a joint partnership between Shropshire Council and the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team. Supported by funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) via its Access for All programme, the scheme aims to give more people the confidence to explore and experience Shropshire’s natural environment.
Ten diverse locations have been carefully chosen for their suitability, spanning across both Shropshire and the neighbouring borough of Telford and Wrekin. The new network includes sites at 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 The Bog Visitor Centre.
To cater to varying physical abilities, the selected viewpoints offer a flexible range of access options. Some spots allow visitors to take in spectacular panoramas directly from the comfort of their cars, while others feature short, level paths. A small number of sites include slightly longer walks, ensuring there are options available to suit individual preferences.
To help visitors plan ahead, each location is backed by a comprehensive access guide detailing precise information on parking, path surfaces, gradients, and nearby facilities.
In addition to physical access improvements, the project has introduced creative installations to support sensory engagement. Many of the viewpoints now feature audio descriptions of the landscape, allowing blind and partially sighted visitors to experience the scenery through rich storytelling. These descriptions have been written and recorded by the partially sighted artist Zoe Partington.
Visitors will also find unique tactile ceramic plaques at most of the sites, each inspired by the surrounding landscape. The artworks were designed and created by local artists living with learning disabilities, who are supported by My Options Telford and Wrekin. This creative aspect was led by Roz Donati of Pneuma Affinity CIC, who worked collaboratively with the artists to establish a lasting, inclusive artistic legacy in the hills.
Sarah Marston, Shropshire Council portfolio holder for communities and the environment, said: “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.
“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.”
Following the successful rollout of the project, Shropshire Council and the National Landscape team have confirmed they are now discussing further ways to enhance accessibility across the wider natural environment.
All detailed access guides, images, artist profiles, and audio descriptions are now live and available to the public via Shropshire’s Great Outdoors website.
