The Smart Stop Before Hawkstone Park Follies
Hawkstone Park Follies is one of Shropshire’s most dramatic days out — cliffs, caves, towers and woodland walks that easily fill a full morning or afternoon.
And just 15–20 minutes away sits the perfect place to begin.
Market Drayton is ideally placed for visitors heading to Hawkstone, offering a relaxed market town start before the adventure begins.
Rather than rushing straight to the car park, why not fuel up properly?
Start the day with coffee and breakfast at The Hideout or Jones Coffee Shop, both ideal for a relaxed sit-down before you tackle Hawkstone’s famous steps. If you’re planning to explore all 100 acres, you’ll want the energy.
Prefer to take supplies with you? Call into Drayton Deli for a takeaway meal deal or picnic bits, or pop into Greggs to build your own packed lunch for the trail. A good sandwich tastes even better at the top of a tower.
And because Hawkstone’s terrain is famously rugged — and Shropshire weather can be unpredictable — it’s worth being prepared. If you’ve forgotten a warm layer or raincoat, Newlife in Market Drayton often has quality pre-loved jackets and outdoor wear, and every purchase supports charitable causes.
After climbing to the White Tower or exploring the Grotto, Market Drayton is also the ideal place to return. Refuel with coffee, enjoy lunch, or wind down in one of the town’s welcoming pubs before heading home.
For those travelling without a car, Market Drayton benefits from regular bus services connecting to Shrewsbury and Whitchurch, making it easy to plan a combined town-and-country day out.
Hawkstone may be the adventure.
But the best days start — and finish — in Market Drayton.
