Craven Arms is a small town that arose at the crossroads of important railroads. Set in the picturesque countryside of the Shropshire Hills, it is a good base for hiking and biking tours in the area.
There was a small village until the 19th century and the construction of the railroad on the site of the Craven Arms. At the crossroads, there was the Craven Arms inn, named after the owner of the nearby Stokesay Castle, Lord Craven. The introduction of the railway resulted in increased traffic and the consolidation of several surrounding villages into one commercial town.
Today, the Craven Arms is also the tourist center of this part of the county. They are surrounded by the Shropshire Hills, a popular area for active tourism. The village is home to the Shropshire Hills Heritage Center, whose exhibitions introduce the nature, geography and culture of the region. There are nature paths and nature observation stations around the facility.
An unusual attraction of the Craven Arms is the Land of Lost Content museum. It is an institution dedicated to the collection of items related to the British culture of the 19th and 20th centuries. It shows everyday life from Victorian times to the present day, and exhibitions are presented in the former market hall.
Adjacent to the Craven Arms is the former seat of the Lords of Craven, Stokesay Castle. It is a medieval fortified residence with both residential and farm buildings preserved. Some of them are built in a half-timbered system and have nice, two-color facades with wooden elements. The castle is largely unfurnished, but stonework details, carved fireplaces and decorative ceilings have been preserved.
