Shropshire’s Great Outdoors

With 23% of the county designated as a National Landscape, it’s no surprise that visits to Shropshire’s natural environment generate over £100 million annually.

Shropshire boasts one of the largest rights of way networks in the country, with 5,600 km of footpaths—equivalent to the distance from Shrewsbury to New York!

From June 2024 to January 2026, Shropshire Council led a project to review and audit promoted routes for walking, cycling, and horse riding. As part of this work, Shropshire Great Outdoors was relaunched.

Working closely with partners across the county’s outdoor sector, we developed a comprehensive plan outlining potential projects and opportunities to enhance Shropshire’s walking, cycling, and outdoor activity offer.

The plan’s primary goals are to:

• Grow the value of the outdoor sector, particularly by encouraging overnight stays
  
• Increase engagement among Shropshire residents
  
• Protect, enhance, and regenerate our natural landscapes
  

An Executive Summary and the Full Report are available to download below:

Shropshire Outdoor Activity Development Plan – Exec Summary

Shropshire Outdoor Activity Development Plan – Full Report

This report should not be seen as Shropshire Council’s action plan, but as a shared resource for the entire outdoor sector.

It can help guide future developments, foster partnership working, and serve as an evidence base to support applications for potential development funding.

For more information, please contact:

Paul Gossage
CLT Projects and Marketing Manager – Head of Culture, Leisure & Tourism
Email: paul.gossage@shropshire.gov.uk