A tour of my home town, Shrewsbury, UK

[Jonesy55]

Shrewsbury is the administrative centre of the county of Shropshire, England, UK which is situated on the border with Wales, we are about 1 hour by train west of Birmingham and 1h15 south of Manchester and Liverpool and 2h from the West Coast of Wales. London is about 3 hours by train or car.



Shropshire is one of the least densely populated counties in England with only 288,000 people in 3,197km2, less than half the average UK population density.

Shrewsbury was founded around 800ad in a good defensive position in a loop of the UK's longest river, the Severn. It now has a population of around 70,000 in the town itself and 95,000 in the local council area.

Historically the wealth of the town was built on the trade in wool in the 14th and 15th centuries and as a staging post for coaches running between London and Holyhead and onward to Ireland. Today the economy is mostly based on light industry, tourism, services, retail and agriculture is still quite important in the surrounding areas

The architecture of the town is a mixture of timber framed Tudor buildings with Georgian and Victorian styles too. The outer suburbs are mostly 20th century and retail parks etc, not so interesting.

The most famous person to come from the town is celebrated naturalist, evolution theorist and general enemy of God, Charles Darwin. Other famous people to have lived in the town include Imperialist Butcher, Robert Clive, famous for killing Indians. Former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine, Monty Python actor Michael Palin, Music god John Peel and annoying TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson among others all went to Shrewsbury school which is one of the top private schools in the UK costing £15,000-£21,500 per year to attend.

Just outside the town is the Roman settlemnt of Viriconium which was the 4th largest Roman city in England, founded in the 2nd century AD it was discovered in 1970 and only a small fraction of the 80 Hectare site has yet been excavated. Nearby is one of Europe's most northerly vineyards which makes suprisingly good wines!









In the countryside starting about 10km south of the town are the South Shropshire hills which are very good for walking, climbing, cycling and other outdoor activities.







Anyway, I took a tour around the town with my camera a couple of weeks ago and here are the results. This is a map of my route so you can see where in the town each photo was taken. Hope you enjoy them!

[Jonesy55]

This is the train station, many people's first view of the town.
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From here to nearby Castlefields a 19th century residential area.
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And across the river to another typical quiet inner suburb, Cherry orchard with townhouses from the Victorian Period

World Cup fever hits Shrewsbury
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This is Shrewsbury Abbey, founded in 1084 on the site of an older wooden saxon church.
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Onward along the river, old houses and a new commercial building.
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Into the residential suburb of Kingsland, the biggest and most expensive houses in town are here, mostly 19th century Victorian villas.
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The old brewery in the area has been converted into luxury apartments
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Across the private toll bridge (£0.10 for cars, £0.01 for pedestrians!) into the town centre now and to another apartment conversion, this 19th century building was until about 10 years ago a specialist ear, nose and throat hospital.
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Along the old town walls, this is the only surviving part of the medieval walls.
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Some Georgian townhouses.
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Heading back towards the Abbey, this photo of the town centre is taken from the 'English Bridge' (the Welsh bridge is on the other side of town).
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[Jonesy55]

Up the hill into town, Wyle Cop is a shopping street with many independent shops housed in timber framed buildings including Jonesy55s wine supplier
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St Mary's church, note the two different types of stone used in the construction.
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A shopping arcade with small independent shops.
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19th century apartment building.
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Shrewsbury library with a statue of Charles Darwin, this was the school he attended until it relocated to its current site.
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Shrewsbury Castle, situated at the entrance to the loop of the river for defense. The castle was largely rebuilt in the 19th century.
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Views from the Castle tower
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The town Bus station!
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The local council offices
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[Jonesy55]

Houses by the river
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This field is only five minutes walk from the centre of town!
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The residential area of Mountfields, the first picture is the house where Charles Darwin lived.
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A nice pub and restaurant
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The main park in the town is called “The quarry”
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A nice house near the park
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[Jonesy55]

Quiet streets and alleys in the town centre
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Jonesy55s favourite restaurant!
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Timber framed Tudor buildings in the town centre
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Beer and ice cream
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St Alkmunds and St Julians churches
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Nice houses and a nice pub
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Saturday shoppers.
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Modern town centre apartment development
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[Jonesy55]

Another street with small shops and Tud or buildings
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My favourite Italian and Indian restaurants!
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Rowley's House, this was built as the residence of a rich merchant and now houses the town museum.
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One of the 16-18 education colleges
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Town centre houses and offices
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Morris Dancers
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Town centre buildings
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The town square, the very heart of the town and our journeys end
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[jeremai]

What a beautiful town. I've made a mental note to visit! Thanks for a great tour.

[Jonesy55]

Originally Posted by jeremai

What a beautiful town. I've made a mental note to visit! Thanks for a great tour.

No problem, glad you enjoyed the tour

[Zim Flyer]

Excellent thread Jonesy. 10/10

Clive of India is a man after my own heart

[Jonesy55]

Originally Posted by Zim Flyer

Excellent thread Jonesy. 10/10

Clive of India is a man after my own heart

I had a feeling he might be Zim

[Jonesy55]

One town landmark I didn't get chance to photograph (because it's a bit further out of town) is Lord Hill's column. 40.5m tall, it is the tallest Doric column in the world (apparently )

[Küsel]

Thanks for sharing these great pics of your hometown, Jonesy! I was only once there in the early 90s but I loved it a lot... as Chester

[Jonesy55]

Originally Posted by Kuesel

I was only once there in the early 90s but I loved it a lot... as Chester

Bah, Chester is the poor man's Shrewsbury

(Actually no, it it also a very nice city )

[LLoydGeorge]

Brilliant!

[Jonesy55]

Originally Posted by LLoydGeorge

Brilliant!

Thank you, I was trying out my new camera, I'm quite pleased with the quality especially as I don't really know how it works yet!!

[Küsel]

Originally Posted by Jonesy55

Bah, Chester is the poor man's Shrewsbury

No wonder - they have the Zoo, you have Darwin!

[Mr Bricks]

Very nice pics! The town looks fantastic!

[Taller, Better]

I loved all of those pix, Jonesy! Thanks for taking them and sharing them with us!

[cementationfurnace]

I can't believe I didn't see these pics! Very, very nice. I spent last summer in Ironbridge (don't ask ) and loved escaping to Shrewsbury from time to time.

It's great to see pictures from a part of England that most people have never heard of before.

[nothingman]

I used to live in Wolverhampton and I visited Shrewsbury a lot....loved the place. It has great charm, history, etc and the people were always very friendly (to me, at least).

Another 'gem' in Shropshire is Ironbrige...a place worth of another thread!

I even liked Telford...which is like the total opposite of Shrewsbury!