We visit the historic market town in the heart of the South Shropshire Hills offering scenic views - and community

Even on a quiet Monday morning, when half of the businesses in its high street are closed for the day, you’ll be able to find people smiling at strangers as they pass by, stopping for a quick chat with local business owners or popping into bakeries for a flat white and a sweet treat. 

On this beautiful Spring day, it was evident that this may be one of the quieter towns in Shropshire compared to neighbouring towns Ludlow and Shrewsbury, but there’s definitely much to like. 

There’s much to be explored too, one Church Stretton resident tells us.

Sue Mitchell said she’s lived in the historic town for the last 28 years, after previously residing in Lancashire and the Cotswolds. 

Standing outside the flower shop JR Thomas in Sandford Avenue, Sue said she appreciates the strong sense of community in Church Stretton, where she volunteers and works in local shops. 

“It’s a real lovely community, you know everybody, and there is so much going on - there’s always stuff going on,” Sue said. 

“I do a lot of volunteering work, I work at a couple of the shops, as well, so it's lovely and it's a great place to visit. 

“I'm actually involved with the arts festival in the summertime, and that's two weeks worth of music and drama. And we get people coming from all over the country.” 

Sue said that people who live here have "everything on their doorstep”. 

From retailers selling basic amenities to family-run bakeries, the businesses in Church Stretton are feeding the local community well. 

The businesses also take good care of the people across the county - and beyond - who frequent the town for its impeccable and incomparable views of Shropshire. 

And if they’re making the journey up the glorious Long Mynd, they’re likely to stop by the Outdoor Depot in Sandford Avenue. 

Inside, they'll receive a warm greeting by owner James Russell’s dog before they meet the man himself.

James took over the shop, which saw a range of customers pop in for items all morning, in 2010 but has lived in the town since he was a child - and it’s something he thinks no one should take for granted. 

“I grew up in Church Stretton,” James said. 

“I've been here since I was about 10 years old. I went to a little school in Rushbury, about five miles away from here.” 

Recalling his childhood, James said: “I loved the hills. I used to explore with my mountain bike, I’d disappear for hours and hours and go from miles and miles and miles.

“I don't even think my parents realize how far I'd go. They just think, ‘where's James? Oh, he's on his bike somewhere’. And I'd be going 20-30 miles or something over the hills.”

James added: “It’s such a fantastic town, such a friendly town. It feels like a safe town. We feel the schools are pretty decent. 

“I don't think [the kids] realise how lucky they are to grow up in Church Stretton; I'm sure I didn't when I was young like that."

Much like Sue, James loves the community Church Stretton has - and it’s largely why he took over the longstanding business 15 years ago.  

James explained: “I had a life doing other things, working for Hewlett-Packard and Samsung and people like that, which dragged me away from Church Stretton and Shropshire.

“Although I was still living here, I felt like I wasn't really part of the community anymore, because I was only coming back on weekends.

“So buying a business in the town, I just felt like I was part of that community again, which is really nice.” 

Rachel Webb, of Door Knocker Company in High Street, agrees: Church Stretton is a fantastic place to have a business. 

Still a familiar face in the family-run shop, which has both a physical store in Church Stretton and an online presence, Rachel said loves the mix of locals and tourists in the town. 

Rachel said: “We were originally on the A49 and we were there for six and a half years, having moved from Newport. 

“We came into Church Stretton because there was a vacancy, and we wanted to have more of a town presence than we had.

“It has a lot of people coming in from the surrounding areas. People do travel to come on holiday here. So you've got visitors, and you've got the local community. 

“We're well supported by the local community, and then we can sell all the little peripheral bits and pieces to people who are just coming into the town. 

“It's got that nice mixture of the locals, you've got the walkers and you've got people who come out just for a coffee and a little wander and do a bit of shopping.” 

Originally from Leeds, Rachel said she enjoys the slower pace of life and the outdoor space the market town has. 

“I personally like it because of the hills, the space. There aren't hundreds of people about - it's that nice balance.”