Family Walk: Hawkstone Follies, Shropshire. An Unforgettable Family Walking Experience!

Digging through my “interesting walks” archive, I came across a day trip from back in 2019 to Hawkstone Follies, Shropshire, an outdoor walking experience probably like no other in the country!

What is Hawkstone Follies?

Hawkstone has an interesting history to it, which can be read on their website here, but essentially the 100 acres of parkland were developed as an “amusement park”, if you will, for the people of the 1700 and 1800s. Visitors would travel far and wide to come and wander through the beautiful grounds, and across the rugged lanscapes, exploring the interesting Grottos and Follies within.

When we visited, our boys were almost 3 and 5, but with plenty of things to stop and look at, or explore, the sometimes steep and testing walks were actually not too much for them. That said, there are plenty of walks available to suit all family groups – but take note, the footpaths and trails are not pushchair friendly, so I would recommend a sling for the non walkers!

The Cost

Price wise, it’s not the cheapest day out (which is probably the only reason we haven’t been back yet), sitting at £9.50 per person 5 years and older (prices correct at the time of writing, July 2024) . It makes a family of 4 £38 (there are no family ticket options) which probably sits about the average price when looking at other similar activities/places to visit in Shropshire that I’ve found this summer. There is free parking, a gift shop and café, and a couple of ice-cream stands along the routes. If you are local, there is an annual pass at £28.50 per person, and could be an excellent option if you see yourself going back a lot.

Why I recommend a visit

Price aside, it’s a brilliant day out if you enjoy interesting walks, and it’s one you won’t forget (my boys still remember bits of it now, even at 3 and 5 years old!) I would recommend it, especially if you are in the area and unlikely to get back anytime soon. The views across the county are stunning, and there is a wealth of things to photograph, for any photographers reading this! There are also lots of grottos and follies to keep the children entertained, and you could easily make a day of this if you wanted too, especially if the weather is nice! We took a packed lunch and enjoyed some food on a picnic bench by the Tower.

We enjoyed climbing up the huge 150 step, 100ft tall, monument too – the spiralling staircase was a feat and a half, but even my 5 year old had a go scaling it (and succeeded!). The views at the top were one of a kind, with a 360′ view of the whole of Shropshire – and beyond – it was a clear day when I went and I took this panoramic view from the top – according to the website, you can view 13 counties from up here! Wow! Explore more of the Follies here!

Let me know if you’ve been, or if you’re inspired to visit now!