Best things in life are cheap

You don't have to break the bank to enjoy a great day out in Shropshire, writes Ben Bentley.

Never let your lack of geographical knowledge get in the way of your emotions.

On the car park at Severn Valley Country Park at Alveley, near Bridgnorth, a jelly-legged lad no older than five stumbles out of the family car and, surveying the spectacular rural view down the valley across the River Severn, proclaims: "We're on top of the world!"

A day out in the countryside for nothing, far away from any worldly worries. What could be more British?

At Severn Valley Country Park people are flying kites, birdwatching from a purpose-built hide and taking a walk along some of the many networks of footpaths and bridleways, while others have joined the Tupperware set and are simply having a super picnic.

Green spaces such as this, along with those at New England near Highley and Colemere Countryside Site near Ellesmere, have recently been recognised as places to be cherished and honoured with prestigious Green Flag Awards, a national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales which aims to entice us out into our sometimes forgotten rural wonderland.

And our escape to green spaces such as these are proving to be just the solution to a number of modern problems. In times of recession, they are all free to go to and it is widely accepted that green spaces are good for the mind and body, and are destinations for a new generation of adventurers.

Three generations of the Taylor family, from just south of the Shropshire border, are typical of visitors taking advantage of stepping into a picture postcard for free.

Grandfather Brian Taylor watches proudly as his six-year-old grandson Joseph leads the way to a picnic site carrying a trusty map. Apparently Joseph is partial to a map and whenever the family heads off in the car it's he who navigates from the back seat.

"I love to follow maps everywhere," says Joseph. "I told them where to go to get to a farm the other day."

Brian himself says: "There's something for everyone – I want to go the railway museum over the way and then there's a walk and a picnic. With the children, we always do the outside thing and have fun.

Joseph's mum Catherine Duffy, who has also brought along her other two children, three-year-old Isabel and three-month-old Susannah adds: "It's cheap and they like running round and exploring in the woods."

An oasis of calm and beauty on the banks of the River Severn, the award-winning 51 hectare country park is dedicated to the quiet enjoyment of the countryside by all the family.

Winter is a time for birdspotting on the wetlands amongst the reedbeds and mudflats; in spring the air is alive with birdsong amongst the willow trees and you might even spot an otter. And in summer, the whole place is buzzing with insects amongst the wildflowers.

And to think that in the 1800s it was the scene of industrial mining.

Angela Linsday, visitor centre warden, says the number of people rushing out into the countryside has doubled in the five years that she has been at the park, resulting in the toilets and cafe area of the centre being expanded.

"We had more than 100,000 people here last year and I reckon that has more than twice what we had when I first came here. I think it's a trend. More people want to come into the countryside and there has been a big campaign by the government to get more of us out into green spaces.

"People are discovering it and are then coming back on their own. It's like going back to the old days – it's simple and it's back to basics, but it is what has been missing from people's lives.

"A lot of people are frightened of getting a map and finding their way around, but a countryside park like this is a first stepping stone to get back to the country because it's a safe environment."

A recent study found that people from urban areas find the countryside boring. "There's nothing to do," it concluded. It was wrong, of course. Here in the middle of nowhere, there's plenty to do.

"But you've got to look a bit deeper and look for yourself, do a bit of self discovery," says Angela. "We've had people come out and say 'What play equipment have you got?', but it's not about that, it's about getting down in the grass looking for insects.

"It's sad that everyone expects to have computers and everything is provided for, but they still say 'I'm bored'.

"We had a group from inner city Birmingham here and we went on a walk through the meadow, but there was one child who would not walk through the grass because it was so high.

"He was upset and frightened of what was in the grass. We had to carry him."

Community involvement has also driven the continuing success and development of the park.

"We have forums and people tell us what they want. This year we had a bench put by the bridge because there is an older group of people that come here and when they went down the hill to the river they could not get back to us without stopping for a breather and wanted a rest on the way back."

Many of them are volunteers who come to the park to help maintain the area.

Others even start working here full time as a result, such as assistant ranger Paul Colburn who says: "I love this job. I would rather be paid peanuts and work somewhere I love."

The park is a destination for all walks of life: child adventurers, older walking groups, orienteering parties, cyclists, a party of Iranian picknickers who have come to eat by the river, and just people who come to have a bit of a think in peace

And all for nothing.

"In the present climate it's the way to go," adds Angela.

Talking of climate, there are early blackberries on the bush which shouldn't really be around until September. Angela tries one and gives an approving smile.

"The fabulous thing about the countryside is that it's always changing. These blackberries were not here yesterday and they should not be here today, but. . ."