Shrewsbury, England…A Crown Jewel

          Shrewsbury, England was one of the pleasant surprises of my trip through the British Isles.  On my rough itinerary it was originally planned as just a place to spend the night after the scenic train ride through the heart of Wales and before setting off the following morning to Conwy on the north coast of Wales.  Little did I know that Shrewsbury would turn out to be a colorful gem embedded in the green English countryside.  Just across the border from Wales, it is set in pastoral Shropshire County with the River Severn winding slowly around the center of the city.  I arrived in this historic market town late in the afternoon, still entranced by the wonderful train ride from Swansea, and was fortunate to find a room straight away at the Bellstone Hotel, which will be featured in my next posting.

A Walk Through History

          With a map and directions provided by the friendly folks at the hotel, I set out on a circuitous walk around the town.  Although somewhat hilly, Shrewsbury should be easily walkable for most fit travelers.  While most of the highlights could be covered in several hours, much more time is required to really take in and enjoy all the pleasures this delightful medieval city has to offer.  Steeped in history dating back to the 5^th century, its most notable native son is none other than Charles Darwin himself.  The Battle of Shrewsbury was fought a few miles north of town in 1403 with King Henry IV’s victory commemorated in Shakespeare’s play of the same name.

Going With the Flow  

          My walking tour took me down to the River Severn, the longest river in the UK, where rowing is a popular pastime.  Walking along Victoria Quay past the Welsh Bridge you can look across to the elegant brick edifice of Shrewsbury School perched on a hillside overlooking the Boating Club.  Further along you come to Quarry Park where a glance up over the expansive lawns provides a view of the unique circular Church of Saint Chad.  The centerpiece of Quarry Park is the sunken garden known as the Dingle, built in a former stone quarry.  Every August the world famous Shrewsbury Flower Show is held at Quarry Park, providing a good excuse for me to return someday.

Castles and Abbeys

          Moving right along, following the old town walls, you will come to the old Market Hall in the square and the narrow streets lined with Tudor buildings exhibiting the typical timber framing dating back to the 15^th and 16^th centuries.  One could spend hours looking through the old shops in the historic district known as the Wyle Cop, but there’s still much more to see down the hill.  Just across the English Bridge is Shrewsbury Abbey dating back to 1083.  Returning back towards the Railway Station is Shrewsbury Castle, a red sandstone fortification dating back to 1074.  By the time I crawled into bed that evening my dogs were pooped and my mind was reeling from sensory overload!  My day had begun in Cardiff, Wales with a brief stopover in Swansea.  Then there was the scenic train ride through Wales and finally, Shrewsbury, a city any visitor to England will not want to miss.  Another big day lay ahead with more pleasant surprises awaiting me in Conwy, Wales.

A Photo Gallery of Shrewsbury, England