Clun
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Template:GBmap Clun is a small town in Shropshire, England, in the district of South Shropshire.
The town lies on the River Clun, with a large proportion of the town to the north of the river. The River Unk flows into the River Clun to the west of the town. The population of the town and the surrounding area, according to the 2001 census, is a mere 1086, which is a population normally associated with that of a village. It is said that the population of the town is now smaller than what it was during the flourishing days of the wool trade in England. The town is the smallest town in Shropshire and is smaller than many villages in the county.
Clun is also a term used sometimes for the southwest part of the county of Shropshire. The County Council, from its May 2005 elections, will have a single electoral district called Clun and this will cover a huge area (about a third of South Shropshire district). The term "Clun Valley" is also used for the the villages along the River Clun - such as Anchor, Newcastle and Aston on Clun.
Attractions in the town include the Norman Clun Castle (now only a ruin), the fourteenth century Clun Bridge (still an important bridge), Trinity Hospital, built in 1614, and a museum in the town hall. The main church in the town is St George's Church, which is south of the River Clun. There is also a Youth Hostel, "Clun Mill", to the north of the town.
There were three pubs in the town until recently - the Sun, the White Horse and the Buffalo. However, the Buffalo has now closed. Every year, normally on May Day, a traditional festival is held - the Green Man festival. A May Fair is also held, in the grounds of Clun Castle.
The A488 and B4368 roads cross in the town of Clun. Craven Arms, Bishop's Castle and Ludlow are the neighbouring Shropshire towns, and Knighton, which is in Wales, is to the south. Nearby is Offa's Dyke and the Offa's Dyke Path. Clun Forest is to the west of the town, further upstream of the Rivers Unk and Clun.
Clunton and Clunbury,
Clungunford and Clun,
Are the quietest places
Under the sun.
Official Local Clun Site (http://www.clun.org.uk)
Shropshire Star article (http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/show_article.php?aID=16702)
History of Clun (http://www.bishopscastle.co.uk/tourism/clhist.htm)