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How
To Get Here
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| Shrewsbury,
M54 then A5 west of Telford, A49 north from Ludlow |
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Shropshire
Features
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Shropshire
Guides & Maps
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 Shrewsbury
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Shrewsbury an ancient
town dating back to the 5th century, it was given the name
Scrobbesbyrig in the 8th century by Anglo-Saxon settlers.
Established in a great loop of
the River Severn, the town stood virtually on an island. Lying
in the Borderlands defence was very important to the town,
as it was frequently involved in wars with the Welsh.
In 1403 the Battle of Shrewsbury,
fought between the army of Henry IV and rebel army lead by
'Harry Hotspur' and other members of the Percy family of Northumberland,
resulted in the death of 6,000 soldiers. One of the bloodest
battles in English history, it is principally remembered today
as the climax of Shakespeare's play, 'Henry IV Part One'.
In the 16th century Shrewsbury
grew prospeous with trade in Welsh wool and flax. The
wealthy Tudor and Elizabethan wool traders built many of the
magpie black and white mansions that still line the streets
of the town. Shrewsbury has been called 'England's finest
Tudor Town'.
Visiting today you can see over
660 listed properties including many timber-framed buildings,
linked by ancient 'shuts' or passageways.
Other important buildings include
the 11th century Shrewsbury Abbey (home to Ellis Peter's fictional
sleuth, Brother Cadefael), the medieval Castle and some fine
Georgian crescents and churches.
Many of the streets in Shrewsbury
were given names describing what was sold there, such as Milk
Street, Fish Street and Butcher Row. The name 'Grope
Lane' has always fired the imagination of visitors!
The River Severn is never far
away and along its banks are picturesque boathouses, ancient
pastures, gardens and a 29 acre park known as The Quarry.
A cruise on the River King gives visitors a chance to admire
these from the water.
Charles Darwin was born and went
to school in Shrewsbury. His statue can be seen outside the
main school building, now a library.
Viist the The Museum and Art
Gallery that illustrates the long history of the town.
Among the items on display are artifacts belonging to the
Anglo-Saxon founders of the town.
The modern town has lots of independant
shops, galleries, bars restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.
The famous Shrewsbury Flower Show takes place every August.
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| Location
Map of Shrewsbury |
What
To See -
Shrewsbury Tourist Attractions
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 Shrewsbury
Castle,
Shrewsbury, orignally a wooden fortification built by the
Anglo-Saxons, the standstone castle was built by Roger de
Montgomery in around 1070. Apart from the gateway very little
of this Norman castle has survived. In the late-18th century
Thomas Telford remodelled the interior of the castle as a
private house. In 1924 the castle was presented to Corporation
of Shrewsbury. The castle was restored to its Edwardian condition
and opened to the public in 1926.
Open 18 Feb-31 Mar: Wed-Sat 10:00-16:00; 1 Apr-29 May: Tue-Sat
10:00-17:00: 30 May-3 Oct: Tue-Sat 10:00-17:00 , Sun &
Mon 10:00-16:00 Tel: 01743 358516. 
Free admission to castle grounds.
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Shropshire
Regimental Museum Trust,
Shrewsbury Castle, Shrewsbury, items on display from the four
Shropshire regiments, from the 18th century to the present
day including regimental colours, exotic uniforms and badges,
medals (including 3 Victoria Crosses), and weapons from swords
to the machine gun.
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Shrewsbury
Museum & Art Gallery,
Rowley's House, Barker Street, in two adjoining buildings:
a 16th/17th century timber-framed former warehouse and a 1618
brick mansion owned by the merchant William Rowley. Displays
on geology, archaeology, natural history, local history, costume
and Fine and Decorative Arts. Changing temporary exhibitions.
Open: Tue-Sat; 10:00-16:00, Sun and Bank Holidays 10:00 -16:00.
July-Sept also open on Mon, 10:00-16:00. Tel: 01743 361196.
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River
King Boat Trips, Victoria
Quay, Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury, 'The River King' cruises
the loop of the River Severn that almost encircles the town
of Shrewsbury. Along the banks of the river are boathouses,
ancient pastures, gardens and a 29 acre park known as The
Quarry. Tel: 01743 343444
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Shrewsbury
Abbey, the Bendictine Abbey
of St Peter and St Paul was founded in 1083 by Roger de Montgomery,
Earl of Shrewsbury, and was built on the site of a wooden
Saxon church.The home parish of the war poet Wilfred Owen,
killed in 1918, aged 25, and in 1993 a sculpture by Paul de
Monchaux was placed in the Abbey grounds to mark the centenary
of Owen's birth. Famous as the home of the fictional monk
Brother Cadfael and attracts visitors from all over the world.
Outside the west door is a herb garden in the shape of a cross,
opened in 1987 by Edith Pargeter, better know as Ellis Peters,
the creator of Brother Cadfael.
Open: daily 10:00-16:30 Tel: 01743 232723
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Haughmond
Abbey, NE of Shrewsbury
off B5062, an extensive Augustian monastery founded around
1100 AD. In the 18th century the ruined abbey was incorporated
into the garden of Sundorne House, built in the 1740s and
demolished in 1955. Features include a fine Norman doorway
in the chapter house, well-preserved lodgings and kitchens
and some sculpture. Open: Apr-Sept: 10:00-17:00; Apr-May closed
Tues & Wed; Jun-Aug open daily;Sept closed Tues&Wed
Tel: 01743 709661
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Wroxeter
Roman City,
4 miles east of Shrewsbury, the semi-excavated site of the
Roman city of Viroconium (or Uriconium). The city of 6,000
people was the 4th largest in Roman Britain. The 200 acre
site includes a dividing wall with a gateway and communual
baths. Visitor Centre.
Open: Nov-Feb: daily 10:00-18:00; Mar-May: daily 10:00-17:.00;
Jun-Aug: daily 10:00-18:.00; Sept-Oct: daily 10:00-17:.00;
Closed 24-26 Dec & 1 Jan. Tel: 01743 761330
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Wroxeter
Roman Vineyard,
4 miles east of Shrewsbury, standing alongside the site of
the Roman city, the vineyard contains the remains of a man-made
embankment that encircled the city. One of the world's most
northerly winemakers, producing red, white and sparkling wines. Tours,
lavender fields, wildflower meadows, herbarium, Rufain Flock
of rare breed sheep. Farm shop. Open: Mon-Sat 10:00 -17:00,
Sun 11:00-17:00 . Closed 25 Dec.Tel: 01743 761888
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Corbet
Wood Countryside Heritage Site,
west of A49 between Shrewsbury and Wem, on the slopes of the
Grinshill sandstone ridge with views over south Shropshire
and the Welsh Borders. For centuries this area was the centre
of a quarrying industry and Grinshill has a maze of quarried
rock-faces. The rock edges are of geological importance and
the area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Tel: 01691
6244448.
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Haughmond
Hill, just off
B5062 east of Shrewsbury, rising to 500 feet (152 m), this
rocky outcrop has views across Shropshire. Red sandstone has
been quarried here for centuries and Shrewsbury Castle, Shrewsbury
Abbey and many local churches were built from this stone.
There is still a quarry here, the rest of the hill is covered
by woodland - a great place for walks and apart from the views,
there are some historical sites to explore including the remains
of Haughmond Castle, an 18th century folly, a Saxon enclosure,
and the remains of the 12th century Abbey of Haughmond. Car
park.
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Snailbeach
Lead Mines, at Minsterley, south off the A488, 3 miles
south of Pontesbury, the best preserved lead mine in the country,
was first worked by the Romans but its heyday came between
the late-18th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Snailbeach
was considered to be one of Britain's most important lead
mines. As well as lead ore (galena), it also produced smaller
quantities of barytes, calcite, flourspar, silver and zinc.
By 1911 the lead ore was exhausted but barytes continued to
be extracted until 1955, when the mine closed. The buildings
are spread out on many levels around the site and are linked
by a circular path - the going can be muddy. Guided tours,
surface or underground, for a fee, can be arranged. Tel: 01743
791360
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Hope
Valley Nature Reserve, along west side of A488, 3 miles
south of Minsterley, in the 1960s the ancient oak woodland
in this valley was felled to make way for a conifer plantation. The
oak stumps did not die and in 1981 the Shropshire Wildlife
Trust recognised the wood's potential and purchased 17 ha
of land. Now in late spring the wood is full of bluebells,
with early purple orchids and yellow archangel also reappearing.
Blocks of conifers have been left as they are home to goldcrests
and tree-creepers and provide good nesting sites. Paths through
the wood and views over to the Stiperstones.
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Poles
Coppice, half a mile south of Pontesbury on minor road,
an area of ancient oak woodland, with disused quarry workings,
has colonies of orchids and ancient woodland plants. Circular
walks provide views across Pontesbury and the Rea Valley.
Public rights of way lead from here to the Stiperstones and
Earls Hill.
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Nesscliffe
Country Park, north of the
A5 halfway between Shrewsbury and Oswestry, on two wooded hills
and part of a heath-covered ridge ('ness' is the Old English
word for ridge). The disused quarries once supplied sandstone
for some of Shropshire's castles and churches. Nesscliffe was
the haunt of 'Wild' Humphrey Kynaston, a highwayman known as
'Shropshire's Robin Hood'. Born in Myddle Castle in 1474, Kynaston
was found guilty of murder in 1491 and declared an outlaw by
Henry VII. He took refuge on Nesscliffe Rock and often hid
in Kynaston Caves with his horse Beelzebub. In 1518 he was
pardoned by Henry VIII and lived peacefully until 1534. Walks
up the paths to Kynaston's Caves, footpath to an Iron Age hill
fort (over 2000 years old), views towards Wales. Colour-coded
paths and trails for cyclists, horses and walkers. Tel: 01691
624448 |
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Stiperstones
National Nature Reserve, Minsterley, near the Welsh border,
the Nature Reserve, managed by English Nature, encompasses the
major part of a ridge. Rising to 536 m, the heather covered
moorland has outcrops of harder quartzite forming tors, crests
and boulders. The tors , with names such as the Devil's Chair
and Cranberry Rock, are visible for miles around. This is a
popular walking area and there are magnificent views from the
ridge. Footpaths are of varying steepness but along the ridge
tend to be rocky. Car park adjacent to Reserve at the southern
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Acton
Burnell Castle,
south-east of Shrewsbury, off A49,the Burnell
family held the manor in Shropshire for a hundred years and
it became a grand estate.In 1420 the male line of the Burnell
family died out and the castle was abandoned.  |
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Moreton
Corbet Castle,
on the outskirts of Shawbury,
on A53 north of Shrewsbury. From Shawbury follow signs for Wem,
signposted 1 mile outside Shawbury. There are two ruins - a
13th century keep and an Elizabethan mansion The eerie ruins
of of the castle are said to be haunted by a ghost. An English
Heritage site. |
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Hawkstone
Park, Weston-under-Redcastle, SY4 5UY, 12 miles north-east
of Shrewsbury off A49, between Shrewsbury and Whitchurch, is
a fantasy world of follies and walks created in the 18th century,
hidden paths, secret tunnels and concealed grottos.Features
include the White tower, the Red Castle, a death-defying Swiss
Bridge, an Indian rock passage, the magnificent Serpentine Tunnel
and Gingerbread Hall. Lots of steps and precipious edges.Open:
Jan-20th Mar: 3rd January plus sat/sun 10:00-15:00; 21st Mar-10th
Apr: daily 10:00-16:00; 13th Apr-22nd May; Wed-Sun, plus open
Mon 2nd May, 10:00-16:00; 25th May-11th Sept: daily 10:00-16:00;
14th Sept-23rd Oct: Wed-Sun 10:00-15;30; 24th-30th Oct: daily
10:00-15:30; Nov-Dec Closed except Santa’s Grotto trips (pre-book
essential) Tel: 01939 200611
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Hawkstone
Hall and Gardens, at
Marchamley, I mile north of Hodnet on A442 Hawkstone
Hall is a splendid Grade I listed mansion owned by the Redemptorists
who use the building as a pastoral centre. Terraces, lawns,
Courtyard Garden and a Winter Garden, as well as Victorian Rose
gardens in front of a lily-pool. Woodland walks. Open:
14th-31st
August from 13:00-17:00 Check by telephoning Tel:
01630 685242
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Attingham
Park, Shrewsbury, SY4 4TP,
4 miles south-east off A5, the imposing mansion of Attingham
Park is one of the great houses of the Midlands. The house
was designed in 1782 by George Steuart for Noel Hill, later
1st Lord Berwick. The house contains 80 rooms,with impressive
interiors. 3,826 acres of parkland - largely as was in the late
18th century when it was landscaped. Open: House:
4 Mar–30 Oct; Mon, Tue, Fri-Sun 12:00-17:00. Deer Park; 1 Mar–30
Oct: daily 10:00-20:00; 5Nov-26Feb: Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00 Tel:
01743 708123 |
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Adcote
School 7
miles north west of Shewbury at Little Ness to east of A5 Shrewsbury
- Llangollen road. Adcote
is one of the finest houses built by Norman Shaw, the celebrated
late-19th century English domestic architect, built in 1876
- 81 for Mrs Rebecca Darby, the widow of a descendant of Abraham
Darby. Today, the Grade I listed building is a school and is
noted for its stained glass by Morris & Co. Parkland and landscaped
gardens. Open
Gardens, as part of the National Gardens Scheme www.ngs.org.uk
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Where
To Stay in Shrewsbury
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Price based on cheapest room for 2 people per night available in next few days
Prices from: £69 a room a LivePriceTM
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Ellesmere Road Albrighton Shrewsbury SY4 3AG MAP
Standing in 15 acres of secluded grounds, five minutes drive from the centre of Shrewsbury. Excellent leisure facilities include an indoor swimming pool, squash court, gymnasium, snooker room.
More... |
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Price based on cheapest room for 2 people per night available in next few days
Prices from: £80 a room a LivePriceTM
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Ellesmere Road Broad Oak Shrewsbury SY4 3AF MAP
16th century privately run moated manor house. Four poster rooms, spa baths, award winning food.
More... |
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Price based on cheapest room for 2 people per night available in next few days
Prices from: £65 a room a LivePriceTM
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Wyle Cop Shrewsbury SY1 1UY MAP
A renowned 17th century Coach Inn in the heart of Shrewsbury with a reputation for friendly hospitality. Our hotel has comfortable bedrooms and lounge areas.
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Price Guide shown for a room for 2 people per night is based on the lowest price per person per night available in the future
Price Guide: from £49 per room
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Sitka Drive Shrewsbury Business Park Shrewsbury SY2 6LG MAP
The Sleep Inn Shrewsbury is located in one of the finest medieval market towns, set amidst the glorious Shropshire countryside and close to the Welsh borders. The Sleep Inn offers air conditioned rooms with modern amenities, including power ...
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Price Guide shown for a room for 2 people per night is based on the lowest price per person per night available in the future
Price Guide: from £95 per room
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Butcher Row Shrewsbury SY1 1UQ MAP
Situated in the heart of medieval Shrewsbury, the histoic Prince Rupert is firmly established as one of Shropshire's finest hotels. The former home of Prince Rupert, the grandson of King James I, it combines old-world charm with modern comforts ...
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All Stretton Church Stretton Shrewsbury SY6 6HG MAP
Stretton Hall is an elegant period house at the heart of a quiet village in the beautiful South Shropshire countryside, a mile North of the small town of Church Stretton. The building itself, formerly a substantial private house known as..
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Price based on cheapest room for 2 people per night available in next few days
Prices from: £40 a room a LivePriceTM
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4 Castle Foregate Shrewsbury SY1 2DJ MAP
Castelo Hotel, Restaurant and Bar in Shrewsbury ~offering quality, town-centre en-suite accommodation and Mediterranian food.
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Guest
Houses, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and Other Hotels
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Spencer Lodge Plealey Pontesbu Plealey near Shrewsbury SY5 0UY
Dating back to 1600 and bursting with character and charm these tastefully converted barns retain many of their original features whilst offering all modern comforts in their smartly furnished interiors. Lovely country walks can be enjoyed from the doorst ..Sleeps 6-8
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Hopton, Nesscliffe near Shrewsbury SY4 1DG
Detached sandstone barn converted April 2006 alongside Nesscliffe countryside heritage site. Views of Welsh mountains. Rural Location in its own garden. Original features. Beamed ceiling and truss. Modern facilities.
Ideally situated ... Sleeps 4
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Ratlinghope Near Church Stretton Shrewsbury SY5 0SX
Off the beaten track. Idyllic peaceful retreat. Recently converted byre finished to a high standard yet retaining character, with oak beams, exposed stone, cosy log burning stove, hand crafted oak and elm furniture and fittings. Fitted ... Sleeps 5
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Leighton Shrewsbury SY5 6RU
Award winning Morells Wood Farm, situated 5 miles from historic Ironbridge, is a working cattle and sheep farm that provides the perfect base for a self-catering holiday. Rickyard cottage and The Byre are newly developed barn conversions ... Sleeps 4 /4
More... |
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Around
The Shrewsbury Area
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Tourist Information on Nearby Towns To Visit - straight line distance:
Wem (10.28 miles) Much Wenlock (11.09 miles) Church Stretton (11.93 miles) Ironbridge (12.35 miles) Telford (12.67 miles) Broseley (12.97 miles) Ellesmere (15.14 miles) Oswestry (16.54 miles) Market Drayton (17.49 miles) Whitchurch (18.21 miles) Bridgnorth (18.22 miles) |
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Tourist
Information Office
Music Hall
The Square
Shrewsbury
SY1 1LH
Tel: 01743 281200 |
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Our
Hotel Booking Line
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Call
0870 4786316
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