After a day's walk, a chance to relax and enjoy the company of other walkers and walk leaders.  We have various events arranged during the Festival and feel sure they will be as popular as the walks.  Evening events fill up quickly so please don't leave it too late!

WEDNESDAY 15TH MAY 2024

​Meet and Greet at Castle Hotel
6.00 - 7.00 pm.   Join your leaders and fellow walkers for a drink and catch up on Wednesday evening between 6 and 7pm in the excellent gardens of the Castle Hotel, near the top of town. Enjoy a drink with a view, if the weather is fine, and in May it usually is, we will be up in the lovely garden up the steps by the side entrance, and start settling into the short break in the Shropshire Hills. 
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A Bat Walk - Meet at the Castle Hotel
8.45 - 10pm.  The evening walk will be led by Dan Gordon-Lee, a Walking Festival Walk Leader and environmental professional, living locally.  Dan has worked as a registered bat ecologist for many years, and has surveyed for bats in a variety of settings from dusty attics, through tunnels and cliff faces to the cracks and crevices of old oak trees.  On this short walk, you'll get to know a bit about bat ecology, foraging and echolocation, and if bats are out and about, how to identify species by their sonograms, with the help of a tablet and the latest bat detection software.

Special Opening hours in Bishops Castle during the Walking Festival 2024  

Mornings   -  Herbies cafe in New Street, Bishop’s Castle,  will be open from 8am on Thursday 16th,  Friday 17th ,
​Saturday 18th May 2024.  

Later   -  Post walk hub will be at the Six Bells in Church Street 4pm onwards on all four days of the Festival. Tea/coffee/beer and cake.  

THURSDAY 16TH MAY 2024

Bishop's Castle Town Tour

An extra Town Tour has been arranged for 4.30 pm for 1
hour on Thursday 16th May 24.  
Cost is £3 paid directly to the guide.    
Meet the Town Guide at Church Lychgate opposite the 6 Bells pub at 4.30pm.     Local people will walk you up the town describing the history and stories of this particular medieval Market town.  
​Cost £3 paid at the start of the tour.

Film  -  FREEDOM UNDER LOAD (2016) - Thursday 16th May 24 - 7.30 pm (Bar opens at 7 pm)

​SpArc in the grounds of the Community College, Bishop's Castle, will be presenting a film at 7.30 pm.  Short film just 1 hour. Cost £7 adults or £4.50 youths. Paid direct to SpArc.  Click on the link below to book.

http://www.sparctheatre.co.uk/event/documentary-film-freedom-under-load/

FRIDAY 17TH MAY 2024

Butterflies, Birds and Beyond, the extraordinary photos of Andrew Fusek Peters 

‘One of the country’s best photographers.’ Iolo Williams.
​
 Andrew is an entertaining and passionate speaker who will be sharing his stunning photos of butterflies as well as some of his Shropshire wildlife adventures including pics from his latest book Butterfly Safari which made the cover of BBC Wildlife magazine, Country Life and Amateur Photographer. Andrew is an OM System Ambassador. www.fusekphotos.com
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 'Incredible photos... a beautiful book' The Guardian

 'A spectacular showcase of British Butterflies' BBC Wildlife Magazine

Meet at the Town Hall, High Street, Bishops Castle at 7pm for talk start at 7.30pm 
​
​Cost £5.00 booked online or £7.00 at the Door

SATURDAY 18TH MAY 2024

FESTIVAL DINNER
Share a drink, meal and wall quiz together in Lydbury North Village Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm.  Drinks from the bar!
Community transport from Bishop's Castle and return will be confirmed later for those that want to use it.
 
Menu outline for a walkers wholesome meal – prepared and served by Wendy Oakley Catering Services
Two courses 
Beef Lasagne (1) or Vegetarian Hot Pot (2) with Bowls of Mixed Salad and Homemade Coleslaw Baked potatoes. 
Homemade Apple Crumble & Custard (3) or Meringues with Fresh Fruit Salad (4).
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Cost £15.00                                                                                              
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