Prospective Students

On Your Doorstep

Harper Adams' rural location, in the heart of Shropshire, really does provide the best of town and country. The county's attractions are many and varied, which is ideal for both study and social life. The surrounding countryside not only provides opportunities for field trips and course-related excursions, but also for enjoying traditional country pursuits in your free time.

The nearby towns and cities offer an urban contrast, with entertainment both day and night. Most students socialise on campus or in Newport, but Telford, Stafford and Shrewsbury are also popular destinations.

Sport and Leisure

The Telford and Wrekin Borough has sports facilities galore, with numerous golf courses, gyms and leisure centres, many with swimming pools. Most offer a student discount. Telford also boasts an all-weather dry ski slope, tenpin bowling, ice rink, snooker centre and go-karting. Sports clubs throughout the area include rugby, football, archery, shooting and netball.

The national sports centre at Lilleshall offers excellent facilities, while Telford International Centre often plays host to national sporting events. Fishing, walking, cycling, rowing, riding, gliding, watersports, climbing and other pastimes are on offer too.

Shopping

The market town of Newport is a pleasant place to shop, with a combination of supermarkets, high street stores, and smaller specialist shops. For shopping-till-you-drop, just 15 minutes away is Telford Shopping Centre, with more than 160 shops, restaurants and cafes including big-name stores like Debenhams, HMV, Waterstones and Marks & Spencer.

The olde-worlde streets of Shrewsbury are also popular with shoppers, combining high street with independent retailers. The market towns of Wellington, Oakengates, and picturesque Bridgnorth and Much Wenlock are also worth a visit for those more specialised shops.

Cinema, Theatre and Music

Oakengates Theatre and Shrewsbury's Music Hall offer a wide variety of music, comedy, plays and productions. Movie buffs can choose between Telford's ten-screen UCI cinema, Cineworld and the Old Music Hall Film and Digital Media Centre in Shrewsbury, and Stafford's Apollo Cinema.

Nightlife

At last count there were 17 pubs and inns in Newport, and more than 120 in Telford, with several nightspots to choose from too, catering to different ages and musical tastes. Eateries range from modern British, Chinese, Indian, Italian, vegetarian and even Mauritian restaurants to fish 'n chip takeaways and pub grub. Ludlow, in South Shropshire, boasts more Michelin starred restaurants than any other British town outside of London. The town's food and drink festival is a must for foodies.

Days Out

You can't come to Shropshire without visiting the World Heritage Site Ironbridge Gorge, birthplace of industry. Apart from the 18th Century Ironbridge (the first bridge in the world to be built of iron), picturesque walks and friendly pubs and restaurants, there are ten museums, linked by a regular shuttle bus in high season.

Shropshire is also home to dozens of stately homes, National Trust properties, museums, gardens and country parks such as Benthall Hall, Chirk Castle and Wenlock Edge.

Easy Access

There are many large cities and attractions within a short distance of Harper Adams.