Shrewsbury United Kingdom, Medieval Town with Modern Flare
Experience a true medieval city with historic architecture, castles, and religious sites. Take in a performance at the theatre or enjoy one of the festivals and fairs. Taste one of Britain’s most famous desserts and sip pints of real ale in a traditional British pub.
Castles & Bridges
Shrewsbury was founded in the Early Middle Ages and boasts its original Medieval street pattern featuring many unusual street names that have been around for centuries. Known as the “Town of Flowers,” visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the town’s riverside park called the Quarry. The town is almost entirely enclosed by the River Severn and features nine bridges crossing either the river or the Rea Brook. Welsh Bridge dates from the late 18th century, while Porthill Bridge is a pedestrian suspension bridge. Beautiful churches of all denominations dot the Shrewsbury landscape including the Shrewsbury Abbey. Visitors can explore a variety of castles and country houses like Shrewsbury Castle and Attingham Park, an 18th century country mansion and estate. For a unique hotel experience, enjoy a night’s stay in one of Shrewsbury’s romantic castles, Rowton Castle, a 17th century Grade II Listed Castle featuring wedding and conference space. Visit Mardol Quay Gardens and marvel at The Quantum Leap, a sculpture honouring Shrewsbury’s most famous descendant, naturalist Charles Darwin.
Flowers & Festivals
Each year, visitors from around the country and the world visit Shrewsbury for one of the many fantastic festivals. Usually held in May, the town puts on the annual Shropshire County Show, a well-renowned agricultural show. The Shrewsbury Summer Season is an annual arts festival that takes place from June to August each year and features a variety of visual and audio arts including music and theatre. Music lovers come from all over to dance and sing at the Shrewsbury International Music Festival held in June and featuring performers from the world over. Touted as the “Longest running flower show in the world”, the Shrewsbury Flower Show takes place each August and offers a myriad of displays including a fireworks show each evening. Also at this time, visitors can enjoy the Shrewsbury Folk Festival. With campsites located near the venues, visitors can conveniently park and stay within walking distance of the beautiful folk music. For theatre aficionados, the main performing arts complex in town is the Theatre Severn which offers everything from musical performances to plays and a dance studio. Festival guests will enjoy one of many local guest houses, from budget to luxury, to provide a personalised experience, all within walking distance of Shrewsbury town centre.
The Gateway to Wales
Located just nine miles from Wales, Shrewsbury is often referred to as the “Gateway to Wales,” and is heavily influenced by Welsh culture including Welsh being spoken by many throughout the town. Shrewsbury is also the county’s transportation hub with road and rail access to all points throughout both the county and country. While waiting for a train, guests can marvel at the Shrewsbury railway station and admire the mock Tudor architecture. Travellers can choose hotel accommodations from budget to luxury near the railway station for easy access to town centre and the surrounding area.
Cycling & Sport
Cyclists will enjoy exploring a comprehensive set of trails in and around town, as Shrewsbury was given Cycling Town status by Cycling England. Fans of sport can watch local teams like the Shrewsbury Rugby Club, Shrewsbury Town football club, and rowing teams like the Pengwern Boat Club and Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club. The town also boasts the highly successful Shrewsbury Cricket Club.
Real Ales and a Classic Dessert
The classic English dessert, the Shrewsbury cake, derives its name from this traditional market town where it was first introduced in the mid-18th century. Enjoy a distinct hint of lemon while biting into a true Shrewsbury cake. Other dining options range from budget-friendly to fine dining with a healthy dose of Italian and Indian restaurants. Shrewsbury is also known for their traditional British pubs which feature real ales, several of which are brewed right in the county of Shropshire. Many of the pubs, like the Golden Cross which dates back to the 15th century, go back generations and offer a cosy, charming ambience in which to sup on hearty, home cooked pub grub featuring local produce and meat and enjoy a pint while talking with friends.