Although Shropshire could be considered a quiet corner of England, this rural county near the Welsh border has plenty of visitor attractions, a rich cultural and historical heritage, beautiful gardens and fascinating museums.

Shropshire has many picturesque historical towns and villages, for example Ludlow, which John Betjeman once described as “the loveliest town in England”. This bustling market town has a huge number of listed buildings, mostly from the Georgian period, fine restaurants, traditional inns and speciality shops.

Shrewsbury, the counties principal town is of Saxon heritage which was further developed by the Tudors. Located close to the River Severn the town is renowned for its castle, rising spires, abbey and green open parkland. It’s also the perfect place to see some wonderful medieval buildings.

The county is the epitome of the most perfect rural countryside you can find, a place that has been formed over millions of years into a tranquil landscape of rolling hills and river gorges. Speaking of which the Iron Bridge Gorge Museums are a series of museums located in the Iron Bridge Gorge near the town of Telford. It’s here that the beginning of the industrial revolution first took hold. Spanning the River Severn the outdoor and indoor museums offer a fascinating glimpse into the past.

The regions strategic location tells the tale of a turbulent past, evidenced by the hill forts, earthworks and castles which can be found throughout the Welsh borders. These include Ludlow Castle which was built in the 11th century and the Iron Age Hill Fort at Oswestry which covers some forty acres. Moreton Corbet Castle built in the 13th century was later extended in the 16th century. As well as these fascinating structures to Shropshire’s past, the county has some lovely English Heritage properties like Stokesay Castle.

Other great days out ideas include a visit to the RAF Museum at Cosford, where you can see over 70 historical aircraft housed in 3 wartime hangers including world’s oldest Spitfire and Lincoln Bomber. For more nostalgia visit the Severn Valley Railway, which run steam trains along the line from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster.

So if you hanker after a relaxing self-catering break in a most beautiful, untouched part of England, take a look at our selection of holiday cottages in Shropshire today.