Centre offers freedom of the hills

Vistors explore the picturesque Long Mynd

A top Shropshire tourist attraction is offering free admission to mark its second birthday.

Entry to Secret Hills - The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre will be free on Sunday 9 February.

Tens of thousands of people have passed through the doors of the grass-roofed building since February 2001.

The award-winning centre and 25 acres of adjacent meadowland, in the foothills of the Long Mynd, offers visitors the chance to learn about the geological, historical, ecological, archaeological and cultural significance of the area.

County gateway

"It's one of our flagship operations, and this open day is our way of sharing the success of the centre with the people of Shropshire, " said Nigel Nixon, Shropshire County Council's head of the museum service.

"We feel it has helped to raise the profile of the Shropshire Hills, and has encouraged a large number of visitors into the county.

"From the comments received and the entries in our Visitor Book, it's clearly achieving what it set out to do - to introduce and explain the surrounding countryside not only to visitors from outside the county, but also to local residents."

The £2.4m Millennium Commission and Shropshire County Council funded attraction is located in Craven Arms - the 'gateway' to both the Marches and the Shropshire Hills.