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This April, we invite you to step into a living piece of literary history.

For the third consecutive year, Soulton Hall is opening its gates for the annual Macmillan Bluebell Walk.

Falling on Sunday, 26th April—the weekend of William Shakespeare’s birthday—this event is more than a nature walk; it is a pilgrimage through the landscape that inspired the Bard’s vision of the Forest of Arden.

Bluebells in Soulton Wood, the AS YOU LIKE IT wood in late April

Bluebells in Soulton Wood, the AS YOU LIKE IT wood in late April

Where Literature Meets the Landscape

Soulton Hall has profound connection to the life and works of William Shakespeare.

The “As You Like It” wood on our estate served as the atmospheric blueprint for the play’s famous setting.

As you walk beneath the ancient canopy, you aren’t just seeing bluebells; you are walking the same ground that inspired the themes of exile, romance, and the healing power of nature. To visit during the week of Shakespeare’s birthday is to celebrate his legacy in the most authentic way possible—surrounded by the “tongues in trees” and “books in the running brooks” he wrote of.

Walking for a Vital Cause: Macmillan Cancer Support

While we celebrate the past, we are firmly focused on helping the present.

This event is organized by the Shrewsbury Fundraising Group to benefit Macmillan Cancer Support.

A volunteer for Macmillan Cancer, Ava, at the Shakespeare Bluebell Walk at Soulton Hall.

A volunteer for Macmillan Cancer, Ava, at the Shakespeare Bluebell Walk at Soulton Hall.

Every step you take through the violet-carpeted woods helps Macmillan provide essential medical, emotional, and financial support to those living with cancer in Shropshire. In its first two years, this walk has become a cornerstone of our community fundraising, and we hope to make this third year the most impactful yet.

Experience the Magic of the “As You Like It” Wood

The bluebells are expected to be at their peak, creating a breathtaking sea of azure against the spring green of the trees. If the weather holds, you may even hear the rare, soaring song of the skylarks—a soundtrack that has remained unchanged for centuries.

Walk Options Arrival Times
Morning Walk 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Lunchtime Walk 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Walk 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Practical Information:

  • Tickets: Adults £7.50 | Child £4 | Family £20. Pre-booking is essential.

  • Attire: Please wear sturdy boots! The path crosses natural fields and woodland trails.

  • Accessibility: Due to the historic and natural terrain, the walk is not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.

  • Dogs: Well-behaved dogs on leads are very welcome.


Join Us for a Historic Sunday

Come for the history, stay for the beauty, and give for the cause.

Rosalynde's Cottage in the AS YOU LIKE IT wood

Rosalynde’s Cottage in the AS YOU LIKE IT wood

We look forward to welcoming you to the woods to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday in the most beautiful way imaginable.

[Click Here to Book Your Tickets and Support Macmillan Shropshire]