The Bear Inn is the local pub/restaurant which comes highly recommended and where you are assured of a warm welcome. The inn underwent a complete refurbishment in 2020/21 and has received five star reviews in the national press. There are many other fine restaurants and eateries in the locality including Hawkstone Hall, a beautiful Grade 1-listed 18th century mansion with gardens, and a Michelin-star restaurant named Docket no. 33 in nearby Whitchurch.

St Luke’s Church which dates back to Norman times has the only octagonal tower in Shropshire. There is a wide gateway on the right hand side of the road down to Hodnet through which you can take a car and there is then a pathway suitable for wheelchairs round the outside of the tower into the church main door. There is a disabled access toilet within the church.

The renowned Hodnet Hall Gardens are open every Sunday, Wednesday and Bank Holiday Monday between 11am and 5pm from mid-late March to the end of October. In addition to the spectacular gardens and the lakes, there is a restored dovecote and the old black and white stable building housing the accessible tearooms which serve lunches and afternoon tea. More beautiful gardens to visit can be found at Goldstone Hall near Cheswardine, and there are regular gardens open in the area for the National Gardens Scheme.

Further afield, the market towns of Market Drayton (6 miles) and Whitchurch (8 miles) both have a large selection of supermarkets and individual shops plus leisure facilities.

The swimming pool in Market Drayton has a varied programme for both its learner pool and main 25 metre pool. There is a hoist chair at the poolside which the lifeguards are all trained to use. The award-winning Festival Drayton Centre in Market Drayton has a cinema, theatre and café with full disabled access.

There are a number of good farm shops in the area, including Battlefield 1403 which also has a very popular café, a small museum about the Battle of Shrewsbury and a falconry centre.

Alderford Lake near Whitchurch has a lovely café with floor to ceiling windows where you can sit and watch the wildlife on the lake or take a stroll around the lake. It is a venue for car boot and antique fairs and occasional plant fairs and has recently become the go-to place locally for wild swimming.

The county town of Shrewsbury which lies on the River Severn holds the renowned Shrewsbury Flower Show every August and there are beautiful gardens down by the river. Shrewsbury is 14 miles south of Hodnet and there are very efficient park and ride facilities into the town.
Attingham Park, a National Trust property, is just outside town and has good access to the ground and first floors and some wheelchair friendly paths through the parkland.

Cheshire’s county town of Chester is just under an hour’s drive north from Marchamley and is another historic town with Roman walls, a racecourse and plenty of shopping. Further north at Ellesmere Port just off the M53 is Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet shopping centre for those designer labels at discount prices.

The Old Canal Towpath which runs from Ditherington to Uffington is one of several wheelchair friendly footpaths in and around Shrewsbury. There is an all-ability trail at Haughmond Hill that winds through woodland.

ELLESMERE, south-west of Whitchurch, is lovely for a visit on a good day for a stroll along the side of the Mere and lunch or afternoon tea in The Boathouse overlooking the mere (lake). There is a wheelchair friendly path that goes around part of the lakeside and an accessible towpath along the canal from the wharf in the town centre.

TELFORD, about 14 miles south-east of Marchamley, has a huge indoor shopping complex with wide malls – ideal for wet days.

Ironbridge

The World Heritage site at Ironbridge has ten different museums, the majority of which are wheelchair friendly. Blists Hill Victorian Town has plenty for wheelchair users and is a fascinating insight into the Victorian age.

The Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford has excellent access throughout the site and plenty to see with hangers full of vintage aircraft, exhibitions and displays. The annual air show is in June.

Bridgnorth

The Severn Valley (steam) Railway is on the edge of town. There are some specially adapted carriages for wheelchairs accessed via a ramp and designated toilet on the train. There is a tearoom, shop and designated toilet at Bridgnorth station.

Ludlow

Perhaps an hour and a half from Marchamley travelling south (25 miles from Shrewsbury) driving through the fabulous South Shropshire hills – with its castle and its superb gastronomic reputation – is well worth a visit if you don’t mind travelling further afield.