Shrewsbury, county town of Shropshire and 10 miles from the Mid-Wales border, hits the headlines every once and awhile - usually when we're upto our eyeballs in flood water! Not surprising really when you consider its situation, slap bang in the middle of a loop in the River Severn. Shrewsbury has been my home for over 15 years now and I'd like to show you that there's more to Shrewsbury than its river. I hope that you will agree with me that it is a very special place.
Shrewsbury is a genuine historic market town with markets having been held here for centuries. The heart of the town, The Square, has been a market place since the 1300s. It was also the site of the town's ducking stool and pond.
Some associate Shrewsbury with Dickens. The famous Christmas Carol with George C Scott was filmed here. You can still visit Scrooge's grave in the graveyard of St Chad's Church. To really experience the Dickensian atmosphere you must visit Wyle Cop. Dickens not only stayed here, he also wrote about it. As he looked out of his window at The
Lion Hotel - you can still stay here - he described the scene as follows; "looking all downhill and slantwise at the crookedest black and white houses, all of many shapes except straight shapes."
Shrewsbury is full of black and white timber buildings and intriguing haunted alleys with curious names such as Grope Lane and Butcher Row. Visiting these winding streets and narrow alleys you will find one of the best collections of independent shops in the country. Wyle Cop alone boasts of 90 different shops, cafes, hotels and pubs, the majority of which are independently owned. Tanners Wine Merchants an award winning wine merchants at the bottom of the Cop is housed in a wonderful old historic building. So atmospheric that it featured as Fizziwig's warehouse in the aforementioned Christmas Carol.
Visit Shrewsbury in the summer and you will find it decked in flowers. As winners of numerous national and european floral awards it was the home of Percy Thrower. Percy Thrower was park keeper in the Quarry park. This traditonal Victorian park, hugged by a gentle curve in the River Severn, has won international recognition for its summer flower displays and beautiful setting.
There are many other reasons to visit Shrewsbury; it's historic castle which fortified Shrewsbury against the Welsh; its Abbey, home to Brother Cadfael; Charles Darwin was born here; the surrounding countryside and hills welcome walkers of all abilities - many areas are still very remote and relatively untrodden.
I'm not entirely blinkered to Shrewsbury's, faults however. It has its more unsavoury areas like any town and 24 hr drinking is doing the town centre no favours late at night. But putting this aside, I really think I'm very lucky to live here and if you are passing through the West Midlands, please don't overlook one of the most fascinating old towns in England.
Other Bits ********
Stay - Top Price **** ******** Prince Rupert Hotel, Butcher Row - A bit more upmarket, a little more peace Albrighton Hall Hotel - just outside town with own leisure centre Albright Hussey - Very old, very special and just outside of town
Mid-Price ******** The Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop - very old so expect creaky pipes etc, noise from street.
A bit Different *********** B & B - lots to choose from and some very special and historical houses to stay in. Check this out: http://www.aragon.uniquehomestays.com/unique/details.asp?id=332&cou ntry=6&start=1
Budget ****** Travel Lodge at Battlefield - fairly new and next to a good family pub just outside town to north. Travel Lodge at Meole Brace - older and a bit worn out - next to Little Chef to south of town.
Eat - Top Price *** ******* Drapers Hall, St Marys Street - The best and a little pricey.
Mid-Price ******* The GoldenCross - Historic Pub, excellent food, reasonable prices The Armoury, Victoria Quay - lively, excellent food, reasonable prices
Shops - Many independent - you will find what you want and more in Shrewsbury ***** All main chains M & S, Next, French Connection, Monsoon, Waterstones, Rackhams etc,.
Clubbing/Bars Lots available but I'm too old for this! ***********
Travel - M54 end of, train links to Birmingham, Manchester and London ***** Park & Ride - to north at Harlescott and South at Meole Brace
About - World Heritage Site at Ironbridge Gorge with living museums - 20 mins drive ***** South Shropshire Hills - 15 mins drive National Trust - Attingham Park 5 mins, Powys Castle 25 mins, Chirk Castle and Erdigg 30 mins. Llangollen canal - 40 mins Chester - 40 mins
Extra - Shrewsbury has a cinema, theatre, boat rides, ghost tours, dragon boat festival, flower show, regimental and local museums. ****
Accessibility Improving but Shrewsbury is a very old town with cobbled streets and steep hills. **********
Children Play area and paddling pool in Quarry park. Many family friendly cafes and restuarants. *******
Website www.shrewsbury.gov.uk ******
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Nov 16th, 2007
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