Shropshire’s Great Outdoors
Shropshire’s Great Outdoors showcases the very best of the county’s natural beauty, offering countless opportunities to explore scenic landscapes, historic trails, and tranquil green spaces. Whether you’re an avid walker, weekend adventurer, or simply looking to enjoy fresh air and countryside views, there’s something for everyone to discover. From peaceful riverside paths and rolling hills to charming market towns and heritage routes, Shropshire’s Great Outdoors invites you to stay active, reconnect with nature, and experience the county’s stunning surroundings at your own pace.
Explore the Great Outdoors
If you’re looking to explore everything Shropshire’s Great Outdoors has to offer, a wide range of walking guides and route suggestions are available to help you get started. From gentle circular walks and family-friendly trails to more challenging countryside hikes, these guides highlight scenic landscapes, local landmarks, and hidden gems across the county. Whether you’re an experienced walker or just beginning your outdoor adventures, they make it easy to discover Shropshire’s natural beauty at your own pace.
Shropshire Union Canal Walk
Enjoy a peaceful waterside path along the Shropshire Union Canal, ideal for walking, running, and cycling. This tranquil route offers beautiful countryside views and is a great escape for those looking to stay active in nature. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely stroll or a brisk cycle, the canal path is accessible to all fitness levels.
🔗 More information: Canal & River Trust
Raven House & Rural Walk
This Walking Guide contains an easy to read map, and step by step directions, to help you follow the ‘Walking for Life’ waymarkers around two short, circular walks through Market Drayton.The walks help you to follow marked footpaths from the centre of the town into the surrounding unspoilt countryside, where you can walk peacefully and admire the beautiful views. You can either start and finish at Raven House on Cheshire Street, or, simply join the walk from any point on the map.
Tern Valley Country Park
Escape into nature at Tern Valley Country Park, a serene riverside location with walking and running trails suitable for all abilities. Home to an abundance of wildlife, the park is a great place to enjoy a workout in a natural setting. With plenty of picnic spots, it’s also an ideal destination for families looking to combine fitness with relaxation.
Tyrley to Market Drayton
This leisurely walk is 1.5 miles to Market Drayton and back following the routh of the Shrosphire Union Canal. See locks, embankments and cuttings on the last canal built by renowned engineer, Thomas Telford
Town Trail
Lovely towpath walks from Market Drayton to Tyrley Locks about a mile and a half (2.5 kilometres) each way. Most of it is on firm ground, though some parts can be a bit muddy after rain. Tyrley Locks is a group of five locks dropping 33 feet through a delightful sandstone cutting.
War Walks
This self-guided walk through Market Drayton uncovers the personal stories behind the names etched on local war memorials. From the heart of town to the quiet corners of the cemetery, the route honours those who left home for the front lines and never returned. Along the way, you’ll hear about men like 2nd Lt Eric Upton, who died of wounds in the Battle of the Somme, and Major Cuthbert Brisley, a scholar, sportsman and soldier whose memory lives on in the town. With each stop, these once-distant histories are brought vividly to life—through letters, landmarks, and legacies that remain etched in local memory.
Burntwood Forest
Discover the beauty of Burntwood Forest, a stunning woodland area with an array of trails for walking, jogging, or hiking. Whether you’re looking for a short walk or a more challenging route, the forest offers a peaceful and scenic space to stay active. In autumn, the vibrant colours make it a fantastic spot for photography and nature walks.
🔗 More information: AllTrails – Market Drayton Walks
Market Drayton War Walk 12
War Walks on the Home Front including The Man Who Fell to Earth and other First World War stories from Market Drayton In May 2017 Market Drayton District Council recorded that the District had returned more recruits than any other in Shropshire. The memorial was unveiled on Armistice Day 1921. The plinth has the names of the 114 fallen from the War.
🔗 More information: Shropshire’s Great Outdoors
Walking Guides
Visit the Walking Guides Page:
🔗 More information: Walking Guides
Explore Market Drayton with the Rotary Treasure Trail
In 2024, Market Drayton Rotary put together a fantastic Treasure Trail, inviting participants to follow directions and solve clues.
Copies of the Treasure Trail booklet are still available to buy from the Market Drayton Library for £3.00. The trail remains a fun activity for all ages, encouraging people to explore the town, solve clues, and discover hidden gems along the way.
🚶♂️ The trail is under 2 miles long, can be completed at your own pace, and takes you past Market Drayton’s fantastic cafés, shops, and landmarks. Once you’ve solved the clues, you can still submit your answer by emailing Market Drayton Rotary through their website—just select “Treasure Trail Answer” as the subject!
💙 All proceeds from the booklet sales go to charities supported by Market Drayton Rotary.
Cycling Guides
If you’re looking to explore Market Drayton by bike, there are a number of cycling guides available to help you get started. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or just getting into riding, they make it easy to discover everything the area has to offer on two wheels and at your own pace.
Market Drayton Cycle Rides Route 1: To Tyrley Locks
A short, easy six mile cycle route including some cycling on busy roads. This route crosses the Shropshire Union Canal at the pretty Tyrley Locks and gives you the option of returning to Market Drayton along the towpath.
🔗 More information: Shropshire’s Great Outdoors
Market Drayton Cycle Rides Route 2: Cheswardine, Bishops Offley & Cop Mere
A brilliant 24 miles cycle ride around quiet country lanes. Easy cycling with a few short steep hills. The whole route will take you through the spectacular Bishop’s Offley and pretty Cop Mere. A 16 mile option is also available.
🔗 More information: Shropshire’s Great Outdoors
Market Drayton Cycle Rides Route 2: Cheswardine, Bishops Offley, Cop Mere
A brilliant 16 miles cycle ride around quiet country lanes. Easy cycling with a few short steep hills. The whole route will take you through the spectacular Bishop’s Offley and pretty Cop Mere. There is a short cut back through Cheswardine and also along the Shropshire Union Canal. A 24 mile option is also available.
🔗 More information: Shropshire’s Great Outdoors
Market Drayton Cycle Rides Route 3: Across the River Tern to Hodnet
An interesting 16 mile cycle route taking in Tern Hill Airfield and Old Colehurst Manor as well as the pretty villages of Stoke on Tern, Wollerton and Hodnet. Easy cycling but with some cycling on busy roads.
🔗 More information: Shropshire’s Great Outdoors
Market Drayton Cycle Rides Route 4: Audlem; around Cheshire
A fantastic 19 mile circular cycle route taking in beautiful countryside and pretty villages including the canalside village of Audlem. This route is suitable for more experienced cyclists, following roads that can be busy at times and offers an option to use the towpath to enter Audlem.
🔗 More information: Shropshire’s Great Outdoors
Shropshire Cycleway: North East (Wrekin, Whitchurch, Telford)
This 33 mile linear route between Whitchurch and Telford is a great journey for those wishing to take in industrial heritage and beautiful landscapes.
🔗 More information: Shropshire’s Great Outdoors
Cycling Guides
Visit the Cycling Guides Page:
🔗 More information: Cycling Guides
Market Drayon Picnic Area
Market Drayton Picnic area is a mixture of parkland, trees, marsh and pools on the banks of the River Tern just south of the centre of Market Drayton. The parkland is an ideal spot for a picnic, flying a kite or kicking a ball around while the pools and marshland support a variety of wildlife.
🔗 More information: Shropshire’s Great Outdoors
Top Walking & Cycling Routes
Market Drayton offers a fantastic selection of walking, running, and cycling routes that cater to all fitness levels. Whether you’re looking for a scenic stroll, a steady jog, or a challenging ride, these routes provide the perfect setting to stay active while enjoying the town’s natural beauty and historic charm. From peaceful canal paths to woodland trails, there are plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors while keeping fit.
Walking Guides
Market Drayton is a brilliant place to stretch your legs and take in the sights—whether you’re a seasoned rambler or simply out for a gentle stroll. From canal-side walks and country trails to history-themed routes and local treasure hunts, there are plenty of ways to explore the area on foot. Walking is not only a great way to stay active, but also a chance to discover the town’s stories, landscapes, and landmarks at your own pace.
We’ve gathered a selection of walking guides created by local organisations, community groups and enthusiasts, covering a wide range of routes in and around Market Drayton. While we can’t guarantee how accessible each walk is, they offer a great starting point for anyone keen to explore. Let us know how you get on—we’d love to hear which walks you’ve tried and what you discovered along the way.
Cycling Routes
If you prefer two wheels to two feet, Market Drayton is also a great base for cycling. The surrounding Shropshire countryside offers a mix of quiet country lanes, canal towpaths, and scenic rural routes perfect for both leisurely rides and more challenging adventures. Whether you’re cycling solo, with friends, or as a family, there’s plenty to enjoy—think rolling hills, peaceful woodland, and charming villages to stop and explore along the way. As with the walking routes, many of the cycling paths we mention have been found through community sources, so please check their suitability before setting off—and let us know which ones you’ve enjoyed!
Parks & Open Spaces
For a breath of fresh air and a chance to reconnect with nature, Market Drayton offers a variety of beautiful parks and open spaces. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful spot to relax, a scenic walking route, or a place for children to play, you’ll find plenty of green spaces to explore. Perfect for a leisurely stroll, a picnic with family, or simply enjoying the great outdoors, these parks provide a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life
Buntingsdale Park
On the outskirts of Market Drayton, Buntingsdale Park is a tranquil park offering well-maintained walking paths, shaded woodlands, and open grassy spaces. This peaceful location is ideal for dog walking, jogging, or simply enjoying the fresh air. A hidden gem for nature lovers and those seeking a quiet retreat from town life.
🔗 More information: Buntingsdale Park
Playgrounds
Playgrounds in the Market Drayton area maintained by Market Drayton Town Council.
🔗 More information: Playgrounds
Town Park
Town Park is a popular public park located in the heart of Market Drayton. It offers a large open green space, play areas, and walking paths, making it an ideal spot for outdoor activities, family outings, and community events.
Meadow Close
Meadow Close, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3UG
Abbots Gate Park
Chancel Drive, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3QT
Westlands Park
Westland Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3HR
Grotto Park
Grotto Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3DY
Forest Park
Forest Park, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3HX
Buntingsdale Park
Buntingsdale Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 1LT
Dalelands Park
Dalelands Estate, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 1DQ
Skate Park
Newtown, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 1JT
Longlands Park
Linden Way, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 1QU
Cherry Way Park
Cherry Way, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 1QW
Hampton Drive Park
Hampton Drive, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3RP
Community Facilities
Market Drayton is home to a range of community facilities that bring people together and support local activities. From vibrant community centres to libraries and sports venues, these spaces offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to join a local group, attend an event, or access essential services, Market Drayton’s community facilities provide a welcoming hub for residents and visitors alike.
The Library
Market Drayton Library is more than just a place to borrow books. It’s a welcoming space for learning, research, and community activities. The library hosts regular events such as reading groups, craft sessions, and children’s storytelling, making it an excellent resource for all residents looking to learn and connect with others.
🔗 More information: The Library
The Festival Drayton Centre
The Festival Drayton Centre is a vibrant community hub offering a range of activities, including live performances, cinema screenings, fitness classes, and various workshops. It’s the perfect place to meet friends, catch up on local events, or grab a coffee at the centre’s café. This cultural hotspot provides an inviting atmosphere for people of all ages.
🔗 More information: Festival Drayton Centre
Community Allotments
Market Drayton’s community allotments offer a wonderful opportunity for local residents to grow their own produce. Whether you’re passionate about gardening or just getting started, the allotments provide a space to cultivate fruits, vegetables, and flowers while connecting with the local gardening community. A perfect way to enjoy the outdoors, learn new skills, and grow fresh, organic produce.
🔗 More information: Community Allotments
Shropshire’s Great Outdoors offers a simple and enjoyable way to stay active while connecting with nature. Whether you’re exploring peaceful countryside footpaths, joining a guided walk, or uncovering the county’s rich history along scenic cycling trails, there’s an outdoor experience to suit every pace and interest.
Arts & Culture
Discover local arts and experience the vibrant culture of Market Drayton.
Charity & Community
Supporting the local community and charitable endeavours.
Education & Learning
Find out more about local schools and community learning.
Food & Drink
Enjoy the town’s famous gingerbread and local food in cafe's and pubs.
Health & Wellbeing
Benefit from local health and wellbeing services available in the town.
History & Heritage
Explore Market Drayton's rich heritage and medieval architecture.
Money & Finance
Access local financial institutions offering finance products and advice.
Parks & Community Spaces
Enjoy the outdoors in a variety of parks and community spaces.
Shops & Markets
Enjoy local shops and market stalls offering a range local products and crafts.
Sports & Leisure
Join in the fun with the variety of the sports and leisure activities.