The medieval market town of Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, UK. Full of character and charm, and set amidst beautiful rolling countryside, it is the perfect place to enjoy a country break and get a taste of ‘ye olde’ England. Our guide fills you in on what to do, when to go and which of the many Shrewsbury Hotels to stay at.
Shrewsbury Hotels and Accommodation
As you would expect for such a historic and attractive town, there are plenty of hotels in Shrewsbury to suit every taste and budget. If you want to stay a night in the heart of the town then the Exchange Hotel Shrewsbury is a delightful small family run hotel with its own cafe and restaurant, and offers great value with double rooms from £60 per night.
If you are in a mood for a bit more luxury then why not combine the best of town and country at the four-star Mercure Albighton Hall Hotel and spa, set in beautiful grounds with its own restaurant, gym and swimming pool (from £80 per night).
If history is what you’re interested in, you’ll be taken back in time by the popular Prince Rupert Hotel Shrewsbury (from £75 per night) which is not only close to many of the towns historic attractions, but is in fact an attraction in its own right having been the home of Prince Rupert, the grandson of King James I and dating back to the 12th century.
Things to do in Shrewsbury
If you love history, then you’ll love Shrewsbury with its narrow medieval streets and black and white timber framed buildings. The town has an amazing 600 listed historic buildings including the castle, which is home to the regimental museum and Shrewsbury Abbey.
Adding to its charm is the river Severn, which gently winds its way around the town centre and in the summer months you can enjoy a rainbow of colourful flowers in the streets and in the beautiful Quarry Park, which is home to the annual Shrewsbury flower show.
So good are the flowers that the town won Gold in the 2006 Britain in Bloom competition and Gold in the prestigious European Entante Florale 2007.
In contrast to all the history though, Shrewsbury is in fact a vibrant modern town where you can enjoy shopping, cafes, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.
To top it all off, it’s set in the beautiful Shropshire countryside where you can enjoy walks and take in the views, or continue your journey on into Wales just a short distance away.
Where to eat
Shrewsbury is full of good restaurants to suit every taste, from great traditional British food at the Albighton Hussy to the more modern European Jesters Restaurant. The best thing to do is take a walk through the cobbled streets and see what takes your fancy.
When to go
Shrewsbury’s ancient town centre is charming at all times of the year but to see it all at it’s best you should visit in summer when the flowers are in bloom for the flower show in August, as well as the summer folk festival.
If you’re planning to visit the charming historic towns of England, why not also take a trip to Warwickshire and stay close to Shakespeare’s birthplace in one of the fantastic Stratford upon Avon Hotels.
Photo Credit: David Emmerson