The devil may have the best tunes, but he has lost ownership of the best seat. I am perched on a stone slab on a steep hill known as the Devil’s Chair.
Legend has it that the grumpy old man carried these same stones in his apron, which make up the Stiperstones of Shropshire.
The story goes that he stopped to take a breather and quickly left them all.
To the east lies the Long Mynd moorland plateau.
In the foreground are the hills of Ratlinghope, sheep dotting green fields with curlews overhead.
Virgin: Kate Johnson explores the English county of Shropshire, which has been hailed as one of the world’s ‘top destinations’. Above, Long Mynd Moor (archive image)
Kate visits the Devil’s Chair, pictured, a steep tor in the Shropshire Stiperstones
These Shropshire hills, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, have remained virtually unchanged for millennia.
It’s no surprise, perhaps, that the county of Shropshire was recently named one of the top ten global destinations to watch by the Association of British Travel Agents.
My base is the prosperous market town of Ludlow. More than 70 years ago, the poet John Betjeman described it as “probably the most beautiful town in England”, and I agree.
Ludlow is halfway between Shrewsbury to the north and Hereford to the south, and about 15 miles from the Welsh border.
Among the many listed and blue-plaque buildings are modern, exclusive delicatessens, as well as stylish homewares stores and cafes.
I’ll be staying at The Feathers, which has an elegant half-timbered Tudor façade. Downstairs there are cozy wood paneling, friendly service and generous (huge) meals.
Upstairs, the rooms are more modern and extremely comfortable, with large, luxurious beds. It is a good headquarters for exploring the city and surrounding countryside for a few days.
Kate is based on Ludlow, above, which the poet John Betjeman called the “fairest town in England”.
The Feathers Hotel in Ludlow has a “fine half-timbered Tudor façade”, says Kate
Above, one of the modern rooms at The Feathers Hotel
I’m joined by Martin who runs Shropshire Tours. After Stiperstones we visited Much Wenlock, about 20 miles north-east of Ludlow.
Here, Martin tells me about Dr William Penny Brookes, who lived locally and believed strongly in the benefits of exercise.
Inspired by his surroundings, he formed the Wenlock Olympic Society in 1850, the precursor of the Olympic Games and which is still in force.
Its current president is Olympic triple jump gold medalist Jonathan Edwards.
As well as making the prestigious ‘top ten’ list, these are golden times for the West Midlands county.