News

Shropshire Council and the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team are proud to announce the development of a network of accessible viewpoints across the Shropshire Hills National Landscape as part of the Open Horizons project, helping more people experience some of the county’s most iconic scenery.

The project, supported through DEFRA’s Access for All funding, has been designed to help open the natural landscape to people with a range of access needs, ensuring that more visitors can enjoy Shropshire’s countryside with confidence.

The viewpoints have been carefully selected for their suitability for people with limited mobility. Spread right across the Shropshire Hills National Landscape – which covers both Shropshire and neighbouring Telford & Wrekin. The locations include Asteron, Castle Pulverbatch, 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, offering a diverse range of viewpoints across the area.

These locations offer a range of access options: some enable visitors to enjoy spectacular views directly from their car, while others include short, level routes to the viewpoint. A small number of sites require a slightly longer walk, offering options to suit different abilities and preferences.

Each viewpoint is supported by a detailed access guide, providing clear and practical information about parking, paths, gradients, and nearby facilities. This enables visitors to decide in advance whether a site meets their individual needs and to plan their visit with confidence.

To further enhance the experience, many of the viewpoint include an audio description of the landscape, allowing people who are blind or partially sighted to engage with the scenery in a meaningful way. These audio descriptions have been written and recorded by partially sighted artist Zoe Partington, bringing the landscape to life through rich storytelling.

Most of the sites feature a unique tactile ceramic plaque reflecting the view. These have been designed and created by local artists living with learning disabilities and who are supported by My Options Telford & Wrekin. This aspect of the project was delivered under the artistic direction of Roz Donati of Pneuma Affinity CIC. Roz worked collaboratively with the artists to design and produce the pieces, creating a lasting and inclusive artistic legacy at each location.

All information about the accessible viewpoints, including access guides, images, details about the artists and audio descriptions, is available via the Shropshire’s Great Outdoors website, providing a comprehensive resource for visitors planning their trip.

“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,” said Cllr Sarah Marston, Shropshire Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and the Environment.

“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.”

The Open Horizons project forms part of Shropshire Council’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and enabling more people to connect with the natural environment.

Shropshire Council and the National Landscape team are now discussing how else they can make both the National Landscape and wider natural environment more accessible to everyone.

For details about the accessible viewpoints check out Access for All - Shropshire's Great Outdoors.

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