Does anyone know the Long Mynd Area?

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

I’m planning to meet a friend there for a walk (it’s a couple of hours away from where we both live in opposite directions) and then get something to eat somewhere locally.

The only parking that I can see is the NT at Cardingmill Valley but the reviews say that it’s quite small and gets very busy. I’m worried that as we’re meeting on a weekend in September we might not be able to get spaces. Are there any other alternatives that I’ve not found?

What about nice cafés not too far away? I’m never very impressed with NT cafes so would prefer a local independent ideally.

The NT car park is actually quite big as it runs all along that valley but you've heard correctly that it can get busy especially on holidays and weekends but there is an attendant there to tell you if its full. I think parking is around £5. There are about 5 or 6 free car parks up on the plateau but be warned the hill getting up to them is about a 20% incline with steep verges and not many passing places. I let DH drive up them and I have to shut my eyes till we're up on top n a bit more flatter ground. Stunning views from the top though! There are a couple more car parks in Church Stretton but it's a bit further to walk to get to the bottom of the valley.

The food at the Carding Mill cafe isn't great but the space is cosy with a massive fire and a little bookshop so its ok just for a quick tea/coffee. Berrys is a much better cafe in Church Stretton, delicious scones. The Pound Inn a little bit further up the A49 in Leebotwood does good food.

I would park in Church Stretton personally and walk up. It is a bit further but I still have nightmares about parking at Carding Mill 😅 agree with PP about Berrys! Enjoy OP, such a beautiful part of the world.

I would also park in Church Stretton and walk up to Cardingmill. It's not far and you'll find somewhere nice to eat in the main town.

Thanks all.

How would I get to the car parks on the plateau? It would be good to have a plan b in case the NT car park is full and walking up from Church Stretton might be a bit much as we’ll have limited time together.

From Church Stretton the Burway Road which splits into two. You go up to the left onto the Bur Way.

There’s quite a lot of parking in town by Co Op supermarket. It’s probably 10 mins walk into Cardingmill Valley from there so not far and you go past tea shops too. There’s a little cafe called Jemimas near Co Op which is nice, or Berry’s as has already been suggested.

@Drews are the other car parks on the Bur Way?

My experience is that if the road everyone's saying walk up is the one I'm thinking of, do not on any account drive up it.
I think it is the worst road I've ever been driven on (and I've done plenty of roads in rural Wales/Lake district etc)-thankfully my df was driving. It's single track width, but traffic two ways, very few passing spaces with cliff up on one side, and steep slope down on the other.
I had nightmares after that, and I don't tend to get bothered by roads.

Yes as @MargaretThursday says, it's not an easy drive. Burway Rd maps.app.goo.gl/hs5syq3SsiF1gSfE6 Check street view. You can get to them from the other side of the Mynd but it's as equally a steep, narrow drive.

I was also going to say try the co op and just walk from there. It's free (or at least I think so... don't quote me on it. In any case, I've never paid and never been fined 🤷‍♀️).

Oh and yes, don't attempt driving up the Burway unless you're feeling very brave!

Ok, this is all very useful and very much appreciated advice.

I think we’ll have NT car park as meeting point #1 with coop as the back up.