Shrewsbury |
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Shrewsbury ... or is it Shrowsbury?
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire and it features those breezy black and white 'magpie' half-timbered houses so typical of the Welsh Marches.
John Betjeman noted in 1956:
" there
are no broad Georgian Squares, no wide avenues and no enormous
market place. Streets seem always to be on a steep hill,
are narrow and make surprising bends"
Let us show you the town of
Shrewsbury:
The Historic Town and Sites
Scrobbesbyrig to the Saxons, the county town of Shropshire is first mentioned in a charter of 901. Shrewsbury is stunning historic town with over 660 listed buildings and some very strange street names - Dogpole and Mardol, Gullet Passage and Grope Lane."It takes a little exploration on foot to reveal the delights of this medieval town"
Betjeman again.
- Guided Walking Tours
from Shrewsbury
Tourist Information Centre - everyday in summer, Saturdays
in winter.
- Shrewsbury
Abbey - Founded in 1083 and still a place
of worship today.
- Shrewsbury
Castle - imposing red sandstone. It guards the
only land approach to the town. Inside the Great Hall
is the museum of the Shropshire Regiments.
- Shrewsbury Museum and Art
Gallery - housed in a 16th century timber framed warehouse
and brick townhouse. Collections illustrate the rich history
of Shropshire and Shrewsbury.
- St. Mary's Church - beautiful medieval church, glorious stained glass.
Look out for:
-
Shrewsbury's Shuts and Passages - a unique maze of narrow alleys which criss-cross the town centre - part of the town's medieval street plan.
- Statue of Charles Darwin outside the library - he was born here in Shrewsbury and attended Shrewsbury School which was then housed in the library buildings.
Just outside the town:
Attingham Park - a Regency gem. Splendid hall and deer park, now in the tender care of the National Trust. Costumed guides, family activities, fine furniture and paintings.Wroxeter Roman City - earlier even than Shrewsbury itself. The ruins of the fourth largest city in Roman Britain. English Heritage have thoughtfully provided an audio tour and exhibition on site to tell you all about it.
Shrewsbury is at the heart of Shropshire in more ways than one and all the county's attractions are within easy reach.
The River Severn
Almost an island, caught in a loop of the river Severn, the town of Shrewsbury inspired the poet Housman to write in 'A Shropshire Lad'
" High the vanes
of Shrewsbury gleam,
Islanded in Severn Stream"
Ways to enjoy the river in Shrewsbury
include:
- Under your own steam - rowing
boats and canoe hire from the Porthill Bridge in The Quarry
- Watching other people do the
work - Shrewsbury Regatta, two days of competitive rowing
- Angling - there are plenty of
fish in the river - but you'll need a licence to do this.
- Strolling by the water - walks
along the towpath loop right around the town and out into
the countryside. Follow in the footsteps of the young
Charles
Darwin. He liked messing about by the river.
-
Sitting in a waterside hostelry.
Everywhere Is Art
A contemporary arts scene thrives in Shrewsbury, particularly in the visual arts. Here's where to see the beautiful and the interesting (and the sometimes challenging)
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery
- special exhibitions of Contemporary art - recent shows
include part of the Saatchi collection and Antony Gormley's
Field for the British Isles.
The
Real Art Gallery - contemporary art to browse
and buy on two floors, and a relaxed coffee shop below.
Bear Steps Gallery - a 15th century timber hall
showing exhibitions which change every two weeks
The Gateway Education and Arts Centre - special
exhibitions of contemporary art and foyer craft displays
The Photographic Gallery
in the Music Hall - changing exhibitions
Other commercial galleries include: Manser Callaghan and The Gallery
Everywhere is Art Leaflet tells you where to see and buy art, old and new, with a historic public art trail of the town.
Complementing the visual arts
is a varied cultural scene including The Music Hall,
the Jazz and Roots Club, Shropshire Music Trust and
The Gateway - follow the links for more information
Shopping and Eating Out
Shrewsbury has great shops, especially the kind of interesting, independent shops that so many towns have lost or let go.Of course there are also comfortable indoor shopping malls with high street names as well as specialists, and good access for wheelchair users and pushchairs.
We're
particularly proud of our foodshops, not forgetting the
indoor market on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
(nasty 1960's building, alas, but good stuff inside). The
Roman vineyard at Wroxeter and Tanners wine merchants
head up a good selection of sellers and hostelries who will
make sure you don't go thirsty.
Shropshire's
produce finds its way into many a restaurant and pub. And
Shrewsbury
is stepping up the competition with Ludlow
with a clutch of fine
restaurants snapping at its heels.
To search for shopping
establishments, in Shrewsbury
and the rest of Shropshire,
please click here.
Please click the link to view an
interactive street
map of Shrewsbury Town centre >>
For more information about visiting Shrewsbury, please contact
Shrewsbury
Tourist Information Centre.
If you would like to visit Shrewsbury and need accommodation
and are interested in finding the best hotel,
guest
house, bed
and breakfast or self
catering property, please click here.
For more information about Shrewsbury, please visit the Official Shrewsbury Tourism Association Website.
REQUEST A BROCHURE |
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"High the vanes of Shrewsbury gleam, Islanded in Severn Stream." A. E. Housman Shrewsbury is our charming county town. Located the meandering loop of the River Severn, Shrewsbury is almost an island. It is known to be the politest town in England and it is definitely worth dropping in. Click the link to Request a Shrewsbury Brochure. |
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