Introducing Shrewsbury

Lying just 9 miles east of the border with Wales, Shrewsbury is an attractive old English market town, boasting a long and colourful history. It’s a great place to go for a weekend break, and with a superb range of shops, restaurants and hotels Shrewsbury town centre really is a hive of activity.
The layout and arrangement of Shrewsbury town centre has changed very little since medieval times, and the town boasts in excess of 660 historic, listed buildings. One of the more popular attractions on a weekend break to Shrewsbury is the majestic, red sandstone Shrewsbury Castle, which dates back to 1074. Alternatively, you’ll have the chance to visit Shrewsbury Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery built slightly later, in 1083. Both buildings were founded by the influential Norman Earl, Roger de Montgomery. Once a year, Shrewsbury becomes the focus of keen horticulturalists up and down the British Isles. The Shrewsbury Flower Show is one of the country’s oldest and largest horticultural events, and has won the town a number of prestigious awards; including the much coveted Britain in Bloom title, for 2006. Perhaps surprisingly for such a relatively small town, Shrewsbury has produced an impressive number of celebrities over the years. Charles Darwin for one, was born in Shrewsbury in 1809, and educated here at Shrewsbury School. A number of prominent politicians also live in these parts, including Michael Heseltine, Robert Clive, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Sir William Putney – who was for some time Britain’s richest man. Other famous names associated with Shrewsbury include radio DJ John Peel, the revered First World War poet Wilfred Owen, television presenter Nick Hancock and even the prolific travel writer and founding member of Monty Python, Michael Palin. For the chance to explore this fascinating little town for yourself, check in to one of the many hotels in Shrewsbury. You’ll be sure of a warm welcome, and the town makes a refreshing choice for a weekend break.