St Margaret’s Church is normally open during the hours of daylight and visitors are welcome. There is limited parking available in the road adjoining the entrance gateway, where there is also a designated stop for the Long Mynd and Stiperstones Shuttle. Wheelchair users should note that there is a low step up (about 3 inches) into the porch.
The church is only a short distance from the Darnford Walk, here shared with the Shropshire Way, and it is less than a mile, by road or footpath, down the valley to the Horse Shoe Inn (also known as The Bridges). This is open daily, has a selection of beers brewed locally in Bishop’s Castle and provides a range of food. There is also a Youth Hostel at Bridges. Next to the church is the 12 acre Brow Hill Farm Campsite for touring caravans and camper vans as well as tents.
Long Mynd and Stiperstones Shuttle
There is an hourly service of 16-seater minibuses that operate at weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter to the end of September. From Ratlinghope Church the bus crosses the north end of the Long Mynd to terminate at Church Stretton. The outward journey from Church Stretton passes within 200 yards of the church, en route for The Horse Shoe Inn, Bridges, and The Stiperstones.
The Darnford Walk starts at The Horse Shoe Inn and follows the opposite side of Darnford Brook from the church. It is 6½ miles long, for which about 3 hours should be allowed. A shorter version is 4½ miles (1½ hours) and both pass within a short distance of the church.
Ratlinghope is on Route 8 (Church Stretton to Bridges) of the Shropshire Way long-distance footpath. Locally it follows the Darnford Walk down the valley.