Severn Valley Secrets seven top attractions
Monday 25 August 2025 to Friday 29 August 2025
£730pp Single supplement £160
- Destination
- Itinerary
- Full inclusions
- Hotel
- Booking request
Why visit Shropshire? Shropshire is one of England’s best kept secrets. Other regions grab the limelight, and rightly so, but Shropshire sits quietly on the Welsh borders, just waiting to be discovered. Rolling hills, medieval towns, a rather famous river and with links to the Industrial Revolution throughout – it is one of the country’s most scenic and interesting locations to visit. Rail and sail your way along the River Severn with a cruise out of Shrewsbury and a nostalgic steam train through the valley. Find out how this well-known waterway was pivotal during the Industrial Revolution with visits to Blists Hill and the Museum of the Gorge, and imagine a life of luxury at Chirk Castle and Attingham Park.
Why visit with us? In 2024 99% of our holiday customers said they would book again and 99% also said they would recommend us to a friend. Shaws Coaches has a strong reputation for a dependable service, with a proven track record for punctuality and professionalism.
What do our customers say? “Shropshire was relatively unknown to us; the area proved most interesting and the programme provided enough time to get a good feel of places visited” • "The driver was a mine of information to all the passengers and he enabled everyone to make the best use of our time in the places that we visited, I particularly enjoyed Attingham Park, Severn Valley Railway and Blists Hill” • "British Ironworks Centre an absolute joy" • In 2022 and 2024 customers rated this holiday destination 4.8/5 based on its content, overall satisfaction and value for money (new hotel for 2025).
Holiday Insurance. We always recommend taking out adequate holiday insurance, that's why we’ve partnered with SunWorld holiday insurance who can offer single or annual multi-trip cover. Get your free custom quote.
Tour code: C3486
Monday
After being collected from home, get comfy in your reserved, executive class seat as you make your way to the Telford Hotel & golf Resort, perhaps make use of the hotel leisure facilities before dinner (available from 3pm).
Tuesday
Cruise along the River Severn with tea/coffee and biscuits served as you sail. Marvel at historical sites such as Grade I listed Shrewsbury Castle and the medieval Town Walls during this peaceful 40-minute cruise. Disembark and spend free time in Shrewsbury, this delightful town boasts over 600 listed buildings and was described by Sunday Times Style Magazine as “a half-timbered beauty awash with independents”. Continue to 18th century Attingham Park (NT) and discover an impressive Regency Mansion set within 200 acres of parkland. With impressive architecture and fine furnishings up top and busy servant’s quarters below you’ll gain a real insight into the lives of those that once lived and worked here.
Wednesday
The British Ironwork Centre is 90 acres of uniqueness, it is Art With Conscience! Follow trails through the UK’s largest collection of metal sculptures, looking out the Spoon Gorilla (made with 40,000 spoons!) and an entire recycled tractor that’s been used to create Head On With The Future. This afternoon, discover 700 years of history at Chirk Castle & Garden (NT) – this magnificent medieval fortress is the last castle of this period that’s still lived in today, despite never been intended as a family home. Lavish interiors include a 17th century Long Gallery and rich tapestries in the State Rooms, outside herbaceous borders and rose gardens should be alive with colour.
Thursday
Visit the (recently restored) Museum of the Gorge and learn about the building’s key role in the Industrial Revolution from its position on the banks of the Severn, with views down to the famous Iron Bridge from outside. Continue your links with the River Severn during a journey from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway, the line follows this ancient waterway and crosses it at the impressive 200ft Victoria Bridge. Spend time in the medieval town of Ludlow amongst almost 500 listed buildings before taking the scenic route back to the hotel past Wenlock Edge – a narrow limestone escarpment with flower rich grasslands and ancient woodlands.
Friday
Spend the morning experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian life at Blists Hill Open Air Museum (part of the Ironbridge World Heritage Site). This immersive attraction transports you back to daily live in 1990 – inspect unusual remedies at the Pharmacy, watch candlemakers at work, see a traditional printing press in action and perhaps treat yourself to traditional fish & chips for lunch before heading home.
- 4 night stay with breakfast
- 3 course dinner with tea/coffee every evening (min 3 choices)
- River Severn Cruise with tea/coffee and biscuits
- Journey on the Severn Valley Railway
- Entry to Blists Hill Open Air Museum
- Entry to Attingham Park (NT)
- Entry to Chirk Castle (NT)
- Visit to the British Ironworks Centre
- Visit to the Museum of the Gorge
- Free time in Shrewsbury and Ludlow
- Use of the hotel leisure facilities (available from 3pm Monday to 11am Friday)
- Porterage
- All travel including home collection*
- International Passenger Protection
- Reserved coach seat
- 18kg suitcase pp
- Executive touring coach featuring a refreshment station, reclining seats, reading lights, curtains, foot and arm rests, toilet, safety belts, air suspension and individual air-flow controls
- An experienced, friendly, highly-rated and professional tour driver
- Friendly booking team on hand to answer any questions you might have in the run up to your holiday
- HALF PRICE DEPOSIT OFFER! Book before 31 July 2025 and pay just £25pp with the balance due 8 weeks prior to departure (deposit rises to £50pp thereafter)
- LOYALTY DISCOUNT! Book 3 holidays (in any calendar year) and save £15pp, book 4+ and save £20pp, just let us know in special requests that you'd like to redeem your discount
- SAVE £10PP by meeting the coach at Maxey, Stamford Bus Station or Peterborough Extra Services
- £10PP DISCOUNT for National Trust Members
- *Free home collection providing you live in Bourne, Stamford, Peterborough, Uppingham, The Deepings, Spalding, Whittlesey, Oakham and most of the villages between them and Maxey (we're happy to collect from outside of our free pick-up area with a small additional charge)
The Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf 
- Part of the Q Hotels collection
- Country hotel overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge Gorge and nestled within the Severn Valley countryside
- Ensuite rooms with TV, phone, hairdryer, safe, trouser press or ironing equipment, internet access (check charges) and complimentary tea/coffee tray
- Restaurant and terrace
- Bar/lounge with terrace
- Complimentary guest access to the health club including gym, 15m indoor pool (with relaxation areas), steam room and sauna (available from 3pm on the day of arrival until 11am on the day of departure)
- Elemis spa treatments (additional charge)
- 18 hole golf (additional charge)
ACCESS Lift to most floors, some bedrooms are accessible by a few steps (no lift to these), ground floor bedrooms on request, steps and ramp at the main entrance, classic rooms feature walk-in showers
Please ask us about upgrades which may be available at a supplement