Ideal starting parking place.?
Easy route for kids on mountain bikes?
I know of someone who broke their neck there.
They're currently doing JOGLE in aid of the Midlands Air Ambulance who came to his rescue.
[url= http://www.justgiving.com/Gregg-SmithJOGLE ]http://www.justgiving.com/Gregg-SmithJOGLE[/url]
Carding mill valley SY6 6JG, national trust owned so expect to be robbed for the privilege and there's not even any loos. BUT anywhere in town will do for free, you're on bikes after all.
Easy routes for kids? how are they on very steep climbs 200 metres from the car?
Carding mill is £3.50 I think but the machine doesn't give change. There's a nice cafe there with toilets.
There are loads of parking places, the easiest being Carding Mill Valley as already mentioned. However its one big hill with long climbs and long descents - which I and most people love, but not the best for kids (how old?)
The other option is to drive to the top and park near pole bank cottage, they cycle to the trig point and either back down or loop back and return on the road - not very long but is doable with smallish kids.
Think Ide best leave the bikes at home for the first visit.
He's 5 and just had his first mountain bike. The missus has a a dahon fold up 😀
Went there once, was ok but the best downhill of the day was shared with hikers walking up so became frustrated. IMO not ideal as there are no dedicated bike routes.
Re. easy routes for kids, it's fine once you're on the top.
Pick up a map for a quid from plush hill cycles in church stretton or the other bike shop in marshbrook (about 4 miles south of church stretton on the a49). Guys in the shop would be able to plot you a suitable route. All the trails are marked by number on the map with a description of what to expect.
Best bet would be park at Pole cottage make your way across to carding mill valley cafe,either by going straight down the valley or down Batch valley.Then leave wife and kid at café while you go back up to fetch car.They get a nice ride and u get extra brownie points for going back for the car.