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Onny Meadows is part of the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. The meadow takes its name from the River Onny which runs along its boundary. Facilities within the accessible visitor centre include toilets, a cafe, information panels, leaflets, displays and exhibitions. There is a hard surface path provided around site and longer circular routes that start from the Centre. The Discovery Centre is a great place to base yourself for a day exploring the Shropshire Hills and its many attractions.

Surveyed by: , March 2011 (Spring)
Accessibility Rating: 2
Distance: 0.7 km

Full Profile

The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre is situated beside the A49 on the southern outskirts of Craven Arms - 20 miles south of Shrewsbury, 7 miles north of Ludlow. Grid ref: SO 434824

If you require disabled parking, look out for this sign.

There are three designated parking bays for disabled visitors, situated next to the entrance to the visitors centre. Each parking space has plenty of room from which to transfer.

The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre has a library, cafe, accessible toilets and an exhibition area featuring an incredible audio/visual, hot-air balloon view of the Shropshire Hills, projected onto a 180-degree curved screen. Entry cost £4.50. For people who are accompanying a disabled person as their carer entrance to the exhibition is free.

The visitors centre is accessible to people with disabilities.

For the Onny Meadows trail, bearing left and follow the outside of the building.

A picnic area is situated behind the Visitors Centre.

An interpretation board and fingerpost provides orientation of the trails and site features.

Follow the path for the Onny Meadows trail.

For a short detour, the path on the left leads to the Craven Arms Community Garden. Continue straight-on for the main circular walk around Onny Meadows.

View of the Craven Arms Community Garden. Access to the site is good, with a through-route back on to the main trail.

Bench seating is provided at various points along the trail.

Bear left to begin the circular walk (clockwise rotation).

Visitors with children or visitors with visual impairment may enjoy the tactile qualities of the remains of an old Oak tree.

There are several wicket-gates along the path, some of which have been left open.

The width of the path narrows slightly, from 1.6m to 1.2m. The width of the path will normally allow sufficient room for an ambulant person to walk alongside a wheelchair user.

In some places, the surface of the path has become worn and uneven.

This wicket-gate opens in both directions.

The latch mechanism on the wicket-gate is easy to operate.

An unsurfaced trail on the left leads to the River Onny. Go through the wicket gate to stay on the surfaced, circular walk.

View of the trail leading to the River.

The next wicket-gate has been left open.

Continue straight-on with the post and rail fence on your right-hand side.

Bench seating overlooks the pond.

Ramped access allows people with the limited mobility the opportunity to by-pass the steps and access the dipping platform.

Some visitors may require assistance over a step level rise from the path onto the ramp.

The gradient of the ramps are 8% (1:12).

The ramp is constructed with railing on either side.

Ramped access to the end of the dipping platform.

View over the pond.

In some places, the trail has become worn and slightly uneven.

Entering a small area of woodland, the path has been widened to create a passing-place for users of wheeelchairs, mobility vehicles or pushchairs although these areas have not been maintained.

Another wider area of the path allows two wheelchairs to pass each other.

Go through the wicket-gate and bear left.

Another passing-place.

View of the pond next to the path.

Bench seating, accessed over rough ground, overlooks Onny Meadow .

Another passing place. Go through the wicket-gate and bear right.

A slight uphill gradient leads on to the main path.

Some visitors may require assistance here, as there is a change of levels between the two paths.

Continue straight-on.

This is the last of the seating areas on the Onny Meadows trail.

View of a hedgerow and the meadows beyond.

End of the trail. Bear left to retrace the route back to the visitors centre and car park.