The West Midlands county of Shropshire offers an ideal getaway retreat for lovers of the outdoors all year round.

With its rolling hills, picturesque scenery, medieval architecture and a wide range of outdoor walking activities available to ramblers of all ages and abilities, the region is a great option for a weekend or week away at any time of year.

However, during the summer months in particular, Shropshire becomes a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international holidaymakers.

The famous Shrewsbury Flower Show, which is renowned as one of Britain’s finest summer events, takes place in August and attracts visitors from all around the continent.

The traditional exhibition has been running since the mid 19^th century and features one of the most competitive horticultural displays for both professionals and amateurs alike.

However, the show is not just all about flowers as it also offers stands and stalls with some of the region’s best homemade food and produce, as well as gift stalls in the Home & Craft marquee and fun activities for children, meaning that the two-day convention is a real family-friendly affair.

And the Flower Show is not the only reason to visit the town of Shrewsbury. The destination, which sits on the banks of the River Severn, is an ideal location for those looking for some traditional culture and architecture.

The medieval urban area is steeped in history with buildings dating back to the Tudor period. It has many winding and narrow backstreets and is a favourite for lovers of long-established beers and ales with pubs and old inns aplenty in the town centre.

The town’s Campaign for Real Ale beer festival – which takes place in September – is another essential attraction for grown-up visitors.

Arguably Shrewsbury’s most renowned feature is its Town Walls watchtower – which is the last remaining14th-century tower of its once-fortified defensive walls – and is completely intact. The tower offers stunning views across the whole town and beyond on clear days.

Away from Shropshire’s most popular tourist hub, people looking for an opportunity to ramble on their holiday should look no further than the Long Mynd, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is situated south of Shrewsbury.

The Long Mynd offers fascinating walking attractions such as nationally-significant archaeology and geology, as well as stunning views across the nearby Welsh border of both the Brecon Beacons and Welsh Hills and also the Malvern Hills.

It offers superb walking, mountain biking and horse riding facilities, as well as the chance to see some of Britain’s rarest and most amazing rural wildlife in the flesh and superb visitor facilities including a traditional Shropshire tea-room and shop.

Meanwhile, close to the Long Mynd in the small town of Church Stretton, which is around ten miles south of Shrewsbury, is the county’s Carding Mill Valley.

The Valley – another official area of outstanding natural beauty – is well-known in walking circles and offers around 5,000 acres of pure, unspoilt heather-covered hills that features the opportunity of rambling across several different terrains.