Clun

Clun is a small town in south-west Shropshire, set within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has a population of around 680 people in the town itself, with just over a thousand in the wider parish. Despite its size, Clun has a long and rich history, and is often regarded as one of the most peaceful places in England._x000D_
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The town takes its name from the River Clun, which flows through it. Clun appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, and was originally an Anglo-Saxon settlement. After the Norman conquest, a castle was built on a prominent motte overlooking the river. Clun Castle still stands in partial ruin today and is open to the public, offering striking views over the valley._x000D_
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A medieval packhorse bridge spans the river in the centre of the town, linking the older Saxon south bank with the Norman development to the north. The bridge is still in use and remains one of Clun’s most distinctive features._x000D_
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Clun has a quiet, timeless character, with narrow lanes, stone cottages, and a strong sense of history. The former Town Hall, now a small museum, contains local archaeological finds including Mesolithic tools. There are also walking trails linking Clun to surrounding hills and landmarks, including parts of the Offa’s Dyke Path and nearby hill forts like Bury Ditches._x000D_
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The poet A.E. Housman famously described Clun as one of the quietest places under the sun, a sentiment that still rings true. Each year the town hosts the Green Man Festival, celebrating local folklore with music, costumes, and community events. Visitors are drawn to Clun for its scenery, history, and the sense of calm it offers away from the modern world.