Shrewsbury (Shropshire)

A view of the town square and old corn market. image, photo, picture, sights, point of interest, view, travel guide
A view of the town square and old corn market.

Shrewsbury [1] is the county town of Shropshire in England. It is a very traditional market town, with a lot of mediedival architecture and feel to the town. Historically, Shropshire was a vital town in the wool trade with Wales. Due to its extremely good strategic geography, it was used as a garrison town and was part of the "Ring of Iron" of Edward Longshanks.


Get in

The railway station is located on Castle Gates, just north of the town centre. There are frequent services to Manchester, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Crewe, and other services to Chester, Aberystwyth and Cardiff.

The famous Heart of Wales Line runs between Shrewsbury and the sea-side city of Swansea, passing through some of Wales' most spectacular scenery and picturesque towns during its three hour and forty minute journey. Trains depart Shrewsbury at 5:34AM, 8:54AM, 1:09Pm. 5:29PM.

Access via the M54 from the West Midlands conurbation, then the A5 from Telford.

Note: train and bus services are very poor on Sundays, especially in Winter.

Get around

Park and Ride services from Oxon, Harlescott and Meole Brace to the town centre and back (Monday-Saturday) (free parking at Oxon, Harlescott and Meole Brace). Other bus services go from the bus station in the town centre to places in town and further out in the county.

Cabs available at the train station on Castle Gates. Otherwise there are numerous taxi companies.

Roads inside the town centre are to be avoided if travelling by car. Please park outside the town centre in the many car parks available - St Julian's Friars, Abbey Foregate, Frankwell, etc.

See

  • Shrewsbury Castle, including Laura's Tower
  • the Quarry park
  • Bear Steps' buildings
  • Churches: St Julian's, St Alkmund's, St Chad's and St Mary's

Do

  • Shropshire Regimental Museum (at the Castle)
  • Rowley's House museum (on Barker Street)
  • Music Hall
  • the Old Market Hall

Buy

  • Darwin Shopping Centre
  • Pride Hill Shopping Centre
  • Sundorne Retail Park
  • Meole Brade Retail Park

Eat/Drink

Pubs:

  • Golden Cross, Princess Street
  • Dun Cow, Abbey Foregate
  • Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop
  • Cromwells, Dogpole
  • Loggerheads, Church Street
  • Three Fishes, Fish Street
  • King's Head, Mardol
  • The Grove Inn, Belle Vue

Sleep

Hotels:

  • Shrewsbury Hotel, Smithfield Road
  • Prince Rupert Hotel, Butcher Row
  • Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop
  • Lord Hill Hotel, Abbey Foregate