Thomas Telford |
Is there a Telford Beyond Telford?
There certainly is. We asked ourselves if Thomas Telford were alive today, where would he most enjoy an awayday in the peace and tranquillity of Shropshire’s quiet county?
Well there are so many great places to visit in Shropshire it's difficult to know where to start, but here are a few possible answers:
Longdon-upon-Tern
“I believe this to be the first aqueduct for the purposes of navigable canal which has ever been composed of this metal. It was fixed complete in 1796."
Some people find this early cast-iron work less gorgeous than the later. Travel to Chirk along the Shropshire Union Canal through staircase locks and past Van Gogh style lift bridges to witness the flowering of Telford’s genius.
Wroxeter
The fourth largest Roman City in Britain was excavated by Telford who “caused the place to be cleared to a considerable extent and thus brought to light a set of Roman baths”.
Nearby you’ll find a vineyard, fully operative and producing the kind of vintage nectar to take your mind off the Romans.
For more information about Wroxeter Roman City, click here >>
Montford Bridge
Here the River Severn was once cleared in a single bound by the highwayman Humphrey Kynaston on his horse Beelzebub.
Telford built his first bridge here in 1790 so you can cross in a more conventional manner.
There’s also a good pub from where you can admire his craftsmanship.
Shrewsbury
The Abbey and St Chad’s Church are worth a visit - the former Telford part demolished to accommodate his new London to Holyhead road; the latter he built with a magnificent domed roof. He went on to build several more churches including St Mary Magdalene in Bridgnorth presumably to ease his conscience for his earlier destruction.
For more information about Shrewsbury, click here >>
Ludlow
Telford didn’t do much here at all – probably because it was already perfect. Still if he were alive today he could sample the delights of Ludlow’s restaurants and plethora of other eateries feeling satisfied on a job well done!
