Shrewsbury is a gem of a town. Cuddled by the meandering River Severn it just oozes charm, with its churches and timber clad buildings dotted around its cobbled streets. You can easily loose yourself just wandering around exploring the little nooks and crannies of the town.
I absolutely loved my recent weekend trip to the town and can’t wait to share with you my expiernce and give you so options to make the most out of your weekend too.
When you visit Shrewsbury give yourself amble time just to explore the streets with its many listed buildings. Learn about the history with a visit to its many museums before indulging in a large array of independent shops and cafes. Finish the day with a walk along the river at the quarry.
For a not hugely touristy town, this place has a lot to offer and is worth the visit.
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A Little History Of The Town
The more people dig (literally!) the more history they discover. As a brief overview, there has been a settlement in the area of Shrewsbury since the Neolithic time (around 2000BC) and therefore the town has seen a lot of change. As for what you can visit today, we have Roger de Montgomery to thank for founding the building of the castle (1067) and Shrewsbury Abbey (1083).
This mighty town prevailed despite being devastated by the Black Death and a great fire in 1394. Following this was the Battle of Shrewsbury was fought in 1403 between King Henry IV and Henry Percy (Hotspur) with Percy paying with his life for the loss.
The future then became more prosperous for this mighty town, where it became a major trading figure in the wool industry due to its proximity to Wales and connections via the river and canals. The medieval history is mixed in with industrious factory buildings for the wool, and later linen and cotton trades and then when all else fails beer!
And finally for a fun fact, Shrewsbury is where Charles Darwin, known for his incredible contributions to the theory of evolution was born.
As you can see there will be lots to see and do in Shrewsbury from attractions to simply enjoying the history rich streets and boutique shopping.
Day One In Shrewsbury
Firstly, I would highly recommend arriving by train if you are not planning to explore further outside the town. The train station is definitely worth a look as it is a grand grade two listed building which is gorgeous but it is right next to the castle so you can see it even if you chose to arrive by car.
For those who do arrive by car, many people struggle with parking and the one way system so definitely check with your hotel where is best to park. Once you’re all settled in, Shrewsbury is a small enough town to walk around.
As for your Saturday (or day one if it is not the weekend) I would spend some time checking out Shrewsbury castle and Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery. This may seem like a lot on one day, so maybe pick and choose but both of these shut Sunday and Monday so if you are spending the weekend be sure to get these nipped on the first day!
Another Saturday must is checking out the Shrewsbury’s market. It’s located under the clock tower where there has been a market since the Victorian times. It’s a vibrate place full of independent market stalls and cafes so the perfect place to stop off for the some lunch or an afternoon breather.
As for your evening, there are so many pubs and restaurants to choose from. There are the well known favourites such a Pizza Hut (which retains it’s character of an old theatre) or the classic chippy to good old British pubs steeped in history and everything in-between.
After a busy day, enjoy a final drink before hitting the hay. Recharge your batteries ready for another day of exploring.
Day Two In Shrewsbury
Hopefully you are bright eyed and bushy tailed so ready to leap into Sunday. Have a lovely breakfast at your B&B or try any number of charming brunch places and head out to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings. This is a fairly new attraction as this amazing building was once derelict and saved by historic England in 2005.
The building itself is impressive, and the first iron-framed building in the world. Pinoreering the way for all modern skyscrapers. You can visit the museum which is well thought through and interactive. I had a lovely chat with one of the amazing volunteers that are so passionate about the project. You can also choose to take a tour or pop to the lovely Turned Wood Café next door. Even the bathrooms on this place are steeped in history.
If the weather is in your favour, there is a lovely walk alongside the old canal (now filled in but has become a wildlife corridor) which takes approximately twenty minutes or you can one of several buses that stop outside. The canal walk starts by the train station, and even if you choose not to go the whole way the raised walkway alongside the castle wall and overlooking the train station is worth a visit just for the sights.
Once you have spent your morning learning about the linen industry, pop back into the town centre. Perhaps grab some refreshments at the Ginger and Co coffee shop right by the main square for some lovely but quirky food and drink.
But don’t spend too long because a visit to Shrewsbury would not be complete without exploring the Quarry. Take a late afternoon stroll along the river and go soak up the sun in the Dingle. This is delightful sunken garden in the heart of the quarry park. The planting is beautiful and its full of sculptures and water features. Just be sure to check it out before half five as it does close.
Other ways you can explore the river is by getting a boat trip. Sabrina boats run several times a day and sometimes do additional events should you feel the need to eat a Sunday lunch and take in the sights from the water.
After another eventful day, it will soon be time to say goodbye to Shrewsbury. Perhaps finish up with a final meal before saying your fair wells and planning your next trip to return!
Must See Shrewsbury Attractions
Sometimes you just need a simple summary of what there is available in a place for you to tailor your perfect trip so enjoy the summary review below.
- Shrewsbury Castle
- Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery
- Shrewsbury Abbey
- The Quarry
- The Market (under the clock tower)
- Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
- The Quarry
- River Severn Boat Ride
- Simply Walking The Medieval Streets
- Spotting All The Churches
Of course there are other ways to see and explore the town offered by guided companies should you with. These range from self guided Charles Darwin walking tours to food and drink guides. If you decide to stay a little longer in Shrewsbury there are excursions further afield too, heading into beautiful North Wales and to the cities of Birmingham and Chester.
Conclusion
Shrewsbury is a lovely little town to spend a weekend in, whether it’s a little staycation or on your way to exploring other parts of the UK it really is a up and coming town worth visiting. The joy of having such pretty streets is that you can easily spend an afternoon just strolling through the interestingly named alleyways and sampling the cafes, and after your caffeine fix you have many museums to visit and a beautiful park. What’s not to love. Happy Exploring!
